Investigation of the Performance of Centrifugal Floating Feeder Machine at Different Distribution Angles

Abstract

An increase in shrimp and lobster farming activities due to export required improvement in the aquacultural farming sector of Kalasin Province, Thailand. A prototype centrifugal floating food feeder machine was designed and constructed to be used on shrimp and lobster farms in Kalasin Province. The feeder was located in the center of a radially placed paper sheet. The main parameter investigated was the distribution angle that can be adjusted inside the feeder. The distribution angle significantly influences the peak density location of food drop and also the maximum density. The peak density location shifted from 6 meters to 12 meters as the distribution angle of the feeder increased from 0o to 10o. As the distribution angle inclined further to 30o and 40o the peak distribution location increased also to 14 meters. Maximum density increased from 1.787 mg/cm² to 2.365 mg/cm² as the distribution angle changed from 0^o to 10^o. However, the maximum density decreased to 1.804 mg/cm² as the distribution angle increased to 40^o. The coefficient of variation and uniformity coefficient ranged from 55.8% to 67.5% and 52.6% to 38.0% at different distribution angles. Statistical analysis through ANOVA demonstrated insignificant differences between data obtained from different distance levels and distribution angles. To provide an advance and a long-range feeding cycle with high uniformity the distribution angle should be set at 30^o. The economic analysis revealed the fixed cost of 60,000 baht and labor cost of 20,000 baht giving a payback period of 8 months.