Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences

Performance assessment of a solar powered egg incubator with a backup heater

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

P. Y. Andoha 1
C. K. K. Sekyere 2
K. O. Amoabenga 1
D. E. K. Dzebrea 1

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana; and The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

https://doi.org/10.30772/qjes.v15i2.821
Abstract
This study presents the performance of a novel solar-powered incubator which uses water as thermal mass. Energy absorbed by the water is transferred to the incubator chamber by a fan powered with a 12 V battery. To enable adequate control of chamber temperature and humidity, a ProNem Mini sensor and controller (ESM-3723) were incorporated into the design. The thermal mass was sized adequately to supply energy for night operations as well as periods of inclement weather. The incubator was tested with and without load. Field measurements were obtained using UT330A USB datalogger. Tests under no load conditions gave an average temperature range of 36 to 42.9°C and relative humidity of 53 % to 70.5 %. Incubation tests showed average chamber temperature and relative humidity ranges of 35 ℃ to 41 ℃ and 45 % to 61 %. Candling test gave percentage fertility and hatchability of 60% and 56%. A cost-benefit analysis gave a capital cost of 617.32 USD, incubation cost of 69 cents per chick and simple payback period of 15 months. The performance indices obtained make the proposed design a suitable architecture to build upon in order to accelerate the promotion of livelihood empowerment through poultry farming in Ghana.

Keywords

Incubator
Guinea fowl egg
Temperature range
Humidity range
Candling test
Crossmark
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Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences
Volume 15, Issue 2
Spring 2022
Pages 112-120

  • Receive Date 01 March 2022
  • Revise Date 03 April 2022
  • Accept Date 08 June 2022

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