Comparative Analysis of Different Burner Concepts in a Locally Manufactured Bread-Baking Oven

Abstract

The supply and control of heat within an oven with minimal loss is an integral process in optimizing the bread-baking process. Research over the years reports on measures to control heat, however, there is limited data on optimizing burner designs for efficient heat supply. Challenged with enhancing the functionality of a bread baking oven made locally, three different burner concepts (i.e., U, H and Rectangular shaped) were designed, fabricated and evaluated in a locally manufactured bread baking oven. The study investigated the three burner configurations to enhance the locally manufactured ovens' environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. The study also assessed each burner design concept's performance in relation to heat distribution, fuel consumption, and emissions through thorough experimentation and analysis. Thermocouples were used to determine the temperature differences within the oven and outside the oven walls to verify heat losses. The results showed that the concept burner design can be used to bake bread with good quality parameters like colour, texture and taste within efficient baking time. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis performed on the proposed burner design concepts in relation to heat flow show that continuous flow of heat was assured during baking. Also, simulation performed on the baking trays show an acceptable stress and strain levels as well as favorable factor of safety, indicating that the designs proposed is suitable for the purpose. Data analysis performed on the heat generated within the oven chamber considering the lower and upper trays for all the burners evaluated can be ranked in terms of percentage as RB > HB > UB (41.39% > 30.72% > 27.89%). Based on the study conducted, the authors can suggest the best design concept for heat generation in locally manufactured ovens should be rectangular-shaped.