Process Simulation and Design of a Small-Scale Tomato Paste Production Facility for Northern Nigeria

Tomato paste production is a high-value processing option that can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and add economic value to the tomato surplus produced in northern Nigeria during peak harvest seasons. This study conducts a process simulation and conceptual design of a small-scale tomato paste production facility with a processing capacity of 2 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per hour, intended for deployment in the North West zone. Process design includes unit operations for receiving, washing, sorting, crushing, pre-heating, pulping, evaporation, filling, sterilisation, and cooling. Mass and energy balances were computed using process simulation principles, and equipment specifications including pump capacities, evaporator design, and sterilisation time-temperature profiles were determined. The facility design targets compliance with Codex Alimentarius standards for tomato paste and Nigerian Industrial Standards. Capital cost estimation was developed based on local equipment supplier quotes and engineering cost correlations, yielding a total project cost of 85 million naira for a containerised modular facility. Financial analysis showed a payback period of 3.2 years at 70 percent capacity utilisation. The study draws on food process engineering design literature and contributes a practical feasibility framework for investors and development finance institutions supporting agro-processing in northern Nigeria. Keywords: tomato paste, process design, simulation, facility design, northern Nigeria