Nigerian physicist Jamilu Tanko, a Principal Scientist at the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute (HEDI) in Kano, has developed a revolutionary innovation that is set to transform small and medium-scale industries. His invention, the Cyclone Furnace, promises to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for drying products, with significant benefits for sectors like baking, pharmaceuticals, rice mills, papermills, and brickmaking.
Tanko, who hails from Kura Local Government Area in Kano State, is part of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), an organization committed to driving technological advancements in Nigeria. The Cyclone Furnace, powered by waste materials such as rice husks, is expected to greatly enhance productivity and reduce operational costs in industries that rely heavily on drying processes.
The Cyclone Furnace offers a significant improvement in drying efficiency. Once fully completed, it will be capable of drying the same quantity of rice in just 10-12 hours, compared to the 48 hours required by imported furnaces. This leap in efficiency is expected to improve productivity in local industries, which have long been dependent on imported equipment.
Tanko, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Physics from the same institution, embarked on the development of the Cyclone Furnace in 2023. His passion for creating efficient heating equipment like furnaces and boilers stems from the underutilization of such technologies in local industries.
NASENI, which recognized Tanko’s promising talent, has expressed its commitment to supporting the further development of the Cyclone Furnace. The agency believes that this innovation has the potential to revolutionize various industries across Nigeria, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises, by reducing dependency on foreign machinery.
Established in 1992, NASENI is dedicated to empowering SMEs with technologies that meet international standards, fostering local industry growth and technological development. Through innovations like Tanko’s Cyclone Furnace, NASENI aims to enhance Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness on a global scale.
Tanko’s work is expected to have a widespread impact, boosting productivity and efficiency in industries nationwide while contributing to local economic development.