Performance Evaluation of a Small-Scale Mechanical Fish Feeder

Abstract

The performance evaluation of an existing mechanical fish feeder was carried out. Floating feeds of sizes 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm at constant moisture content of 13 % were fed into the feeder. The feeder was powered by a 3-phase, 1.5 kW reducing gear electric motor at speed 40 rpm, 50 rpm, 60 rpm, 70 rpm and 80 rpm machine. It was observed that the horizontal screw conveyor effectively transported the material from the hopper to the discharged point. The results obtained from the tests showed an optimal performance of the machine at speed 50 rpm with dispensing efficiency of 93.1 % for 2 mm feed size, while the throughput was 75.76 kg/h at motor speed of 80 rpm also for the 2 mm fish feed size. The ANOVA at p ? 0.05 showed that machine speed has significant effect on its dispensing efficiency and the throughput capacity. The cost of production of the mechanical fish feeder was ?262,300 which made it affordable for young entrepreneurs.