Design and Development of a Hot Air Dryer Using Electrical Energy for Drying Indian Mackerel Using the STEM Education Process

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1. Design and develop an electric hot air oven using a STEM education model for drying mackerel; 2. Study the optimal power consumption of incandescent lamps in the electric hot air oven for drying mackerel; and 3. Study the drying time efficiency and fish meat quality of mackerel using the electric hot air oven. The research instruments included an expert evaluation form for the electric hot air oven for drying mackerel and an experimental results recording form. The statistical methods used were mean and standard deviation. The research results showed that: 1) The electric hot air oven for drying mackerel had a high quality evaluation score from experts at  = 4.33, = 0.68; and 2) The optimal power consumption of incandescent lamps in the electric hot air oven was determined. For drying Indian mackerel, at 40 degrees Celsius, using 60 watts of power, the energy consumption is 0.06 kWh, and the drying time is 9-10 hours. The fish is dried to a suitable level, soft in texture, with a completely dry surface, elastic and not hard or brittle, and the inside is evenly dried. At 50 degrees Celsius, using 120 watts of power, the energy consumption is 0.12 kWh, and the drying time is 7-8 hours. The fish texture is similar to that at 40 degrees Celsius. And at 60 degrees Celsius, using 200 watts of power, the energy consumption is 0.20 kWh, and the drying time is 6-7 hours. The fish texture is similar to that at 40 degrees Celsius. And 3) The relationship between energy consumption and the optimal temperature of the electric hot air oven for drying Indian mackerel was found to be the best. Drying Indian mackerel at 40 degrees Celsius, using 60 watts of power, an energy consumption of 0.06 kWh, a drying time of 9.30 hours, and an energy consumption of 0.54 units, resulted in the best drying of Indian mackerel, with a suitable level of dryness and softness, while consuming the least amount of energy.