Fabrication of Mirror Stainless Steel Oven Drying Machine- A Technology for Sustaining and Preserving Fish Production

Abstract

This study is the fabrication of a mirror stainless steel oven drying machine, the present day technology for the preservation of fish and sustenance of fish production. It is energy efficient and eliminates the common challenges of high fuel cost due to heat loss, and it provides alternative energy source which sparked its widespread use as both domestic and industrial choice machine. The oven is fuelled by natural gas and charcoal, which can burn simultaneously or independently, depending on the choice of the user. The main material for the drier is mirror stainless steel pan and square pipes which are sourced at relatively cheap cost in the local market. The primary advantage of this dryer is its energy efficiency due to the reflective property of mirror stainless steel which reflects most of the generated heat back from the walls to concentrate in the drying chamber for a better drying effect. Heat is also conserved by the vacuum created between the double walls to reduce heat loss by conduction and convection into the surrounding. This oven is fabricated to 150 capacity, meaning it dries 150  fishes per time. It can also be fabricated to higher or smaller size and the efficiency of the machine would still be intact. The mirror stainless oven is safe as the temperature of the oven body is not hot that can harm the operators, and the temperature control valve is located outside the oven.  The test results showed that this model of oven has drying rate of 1.90g/h- 6.0g/h for Catfish, and 1.2g/h – 4.5g/h for Tilapia. The quality of dried fish was very good, indicating good taste and long shelf life.