DOI: 10.11648/j.ie.20261001.12 ISSN: 2640-1118

Comparative Evaluation of Thermal and Drying Performance of LPG, Charcoal, and Electrically Powered Multi-Chamber Fish Smoking Kilns

Enemugha Ebikabowei, Adigio Munakurogha, Koko Preye
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Conventional fish smoking kilns often suffer from non-uniform heat distribution, excessive thermal losses, and inefficient energy utilisation, resulting in inconsistent drying performance and poor fuel economy. Although several improved kiln designs have been reported, comparative information on the thermal behaviour of charcoal-, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-, and electrically powered multi-chamber fish smoking kilns operating under identical conditions remains limited. This study experimentally evaluated the thermal and drying performance of three heating systems using chamber temperature, fish weight reduction, heat generation, heat loss, and thermal efficiency as performance indicators. Fresh African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were smoked under controlled laboratory conditions, and the experimental data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression, and Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that the charcoal-fired kiln produced the highest average chamber temperature (151.7°C) and the fastest reduction in fish weight, indicating superior drying intensity. The electrically heated kiln achieved the highest average thermal efficiency (54.67%), whereas the LPG-fired kiln exhibited intermediate thermal performance (45.00%). Statistical analysis confirmed that the heating source significantly affected chamber temperature (p < 0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated a strong inverse relationship between chamber temperature and fish weight reduction (R 2 = 65.78%), while Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between chamber temperature and heat loss (r = 0.883). The findings demonstrate that the choice of heating source significantly influences heat distribution, drying behaviour, and energy utilisation in multi-chamber fish smoking kilns. The study provides practical engineering information for the design, optimisation, and selection of energy-efficient fish smoking systems for small- and medium-scale fish processing applications.

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