Design and Development of a Microcontroller Based Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Incubator for Use in Power Constrained Environments
Felix Uche Okeoma
National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Formerly National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Nigeria.
Emmanuel I Nkeleme *
School of Engineering and Computing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Ifeanyi Okeoma
Environment Department, Kildare County Council, Republic of Ireland.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The availability of reliable and affordable energy remains a significant challenge in the poultry sector across developing economies. This study presents the design, construction, and performance evaluation of a microcontroller-based egg incubator powered by Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The incubator was developed to address the limitations of electrically powered, solar-powered, and kerosene-based incubation systems, which are either cost-prohibitive or ineffective in regions with unreliable power supply. A programmable microcontroller (PIC16F876A) was employed to automate key incubation functions, including temperature and humidity regulation, gas ignition control, and egg turning. Fabricated using locally sourced materials, the prototype underwent a full incubation cycle using 120 fertile chicken eggs. The results demonstrated a hatchability rate of 65%, with consistent maintenance of optimal incubation conditions (temperature: 37.5°C; humidity: 45–55%). The LPG consumption for the 21-day incubation period was 15 kg, translating to a cost of ₦51.65 per chick. This study validates the feasibility of a low-cost, off-grid, automated incubation system suitable for rural and peri-urban poultry operations.
Keywords: Microcontroller, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), incubator, power constrained environments