HEAT TRANSFER AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A FABRICATED BIOMASS-FIRED OVEN

Authors: Egware O.H, *Onochie U.P, Otomi K.O

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

This study is based on the heat transfer and performance analysis of a biomass fired oven which was fabricated using design specification, conceptual design and heat exchanger calculations. Sawdust was used as a biomass fuel due to its availability at little or no cost. Heat transfer analysis showed that 3 kg of sawdust was required for combustion in the oven in other to raise the temperature of air from 37 ^oC to 130 ^oC while the quantity of heat was 7.62 kW. For the performance analysis of the oven, two tests were carried out, which include cake baking and fish drying. From the results, it took 1hour 30 minutes to bake a 2 kg cake and 1hour 45 minutes to dry fish at 130 ^oC using the same quantity of sawdust (3 kg). Considering the cost of sawdust as compared to the cost of obtaining wood, kerosene, cooking gas and electricity units, the results show that the sawdust fired oven is more economical for use compared to other traditional cooking ovens, which use wood and kerosene, and the modern ovens, which uses either gas or electricity.

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