This study describes the development of a process model combining a biomass energy conversion unit with a cereal-based products' dryer. Heat and mass transfer and pressure drops, which occur during the process, are identified using two experimental set-ups. The tool can predict the behavior of a heat exchanger and simulate drying of agglomerated products. The model is then used to evaluate the process performance in its installation context, by means of indicators, based on which six design solutions are studied. The results obtained provide initial guidelines for installing a processing unit in the South and clearly show the usefulness of this sort of process design aid tool. It may be integrated into a multiobjective optimization environment, in order to design a high-performance process, tailored to the context of developing countries.