Home⇛Isabela State University Linker: Journal of Engineering, Computing and Technology⇛vol. 3 no. 1 (2026)

Performance Optimization of a Time-Controlled Solar-Powered Automatic Aquaculture Feeder for Freshwater Systems Based on Disc-Spreader Height and Rotational Speed

Bermiel Allen U. Tuppil | Cesar B. Mangadap

Discipline: production and manufacturing engineering

 

Abstract:

Agricultural intensification, mechanization, and automation are highly favored globally. Since automation of aquaculture systems was enabled, the sector has been able to improve environmental management, reduce losses, minimize production costs, and improve product quality. This study aimed to perform a modification and performance evaluation of the solar-powered automatic aquaculture feeder under different height placements and rotational speeds of the disc spreader. A two-factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments for factor A and five treatments for factor B, replicated thrice, was adopted. The dependent variables were uniformity distribution, maximum discharge radius, percent loss, power consumption, discharge rate, and discharge efficiency. The overall means for the dependent variables were 4.42m for the maximum radius, 69.21 g/s for the discharge rate, 99.18% for the discharge efficiency, 72.48% for the uniformity distribution, 0.14% for the percent loss, 3.37 Wh for the power consumption, and a PV system efficiency of 20.74%. The machine performed best when the disc spreader had an rpm of 1400–1450 and a height of 80 cm, yielding efficient results for the variables. Also, the optimized feeder system reduced dependence on manual labor and improved feed uniformity distribution. The machine costs Php 15,961.00 with an operating cost of Php 4,685.70. Energy and labor costs were negligible due to its solar power and self-loading hopper. Moreover, it generated an annual benefit of Php 59,949.00, with a BCR of 2.904, an ROI of 190%, and a payback period of 0.526 years.



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