Increasing Energy Efficiency in Feed Preparation by Proportional Control of Gas Burner Power Based on Thermoelectric Feedback
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In small-scale farming (personal subsidiary plots and farms), feed thermal processing is an energy-intensive process. An analysis of existing equipment revealed that standard gas feed cookers are equipped with a two-stage on-off control or manual control, resulting in a 20-25% excess gas consumption due to a mismatch between the input power and the actual heat flow. To address this issue, a proportional gas burner power control system based on thermoelectric feedback is proposed. A thermopile serves as the sensing element and control source, generating an electrical signal whose magnitude is directly dependent on the temperature difference between the steam jacket and the heated product. This study aims to improve the energy efficiency of feed thermal processing operations by developing and experimentally validating a proportional control system for a gas cooker operating using thermoelectric feedback. The proposed device operates autonomously, requiring no power connection, and allows for stepless adjustment of burner output in accordance with current heat consumption. Experimental studies were conducted on a working 100-liter boiler prototype, heating water from 12°C to boiling. The optimal nominal burner output for this volume was found to be 9 l/min (14 kW). In automatic proportional mode, gas consumption for heating was 618 l, which is 19.8% less than with manual control at maximum power (14 l/min, 770 l). In simmer mode, gas consumption was reduced to 0.8 l/min. The developed system is energy-independent, requires no external power source, and provides smooth adjustment of burner output in sync with changes in the heat load.
Source: SCIENCE IN THE CENTRAL RUSSIA
Authors: Alexey Mashkov, David Zemskoy
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7167032607