Research Article
Idi-ogede A.M, Ogori A.F and O
Abstract
The fabrication of pneumatics charcoal kiln for fish smoking was done with the objectiveof replacing the existing open kiln smoking of fish. The pneumatic kiln of rectangular metal plate made from wrought iron of 2mm thickness has three chambers: The fan chamber, powered by a solar energy, charcoal chamber and the smoke chambers respectively. The chambers were insulated with 20mm thick thermosetting polymer which is welded inbetween two wroughtirons. At the end of the smoke chambers is connected a pneumatic pump pipe that further assists in heat convective flow mechanism during operation. The kiln is operated autmatedly by switching in the fanset button. The machine performance was evaluated using cat fish, smoked to an average moisture content of 47.1.% within an average time span of 1 h, and the average final weight of the dried fish was 1.03 Kg. It was projected that increasing time for drying from 2-3 hours and maintaining residence temperature of 60-83OC , pneumatic charcoal kiln could become best potential fish kiln that can keep fish longer without further spoilage.