DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A CENTRIFUGAL FAN AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE MANUAL BELLOWS OF THE MASAGA GLASS BEADMAKING FURNACE IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

📄 Project Abstract

This thesis titled "Design and Fabrication of a Centrifugal Fan as an Alternative to the Manual Bellows of the Masaga Glass Bead Making Furnace in Niger State, Nigeria" was undertaken to address the furnace operational problem of the artisanal Masaga Glass Bead Makers in Bida, which is the focus of this research. The air supply to the furnace through manually operated bellows is critical to the operation as the operating manpower is depleting leading to the gradual extinction of this trade. Following the appraisal of the work practice of glass bead making in India, Ghana and Egypt that use local furnaces, the research came up with the design and fabrication of an electrically operated centrifugal fan in place of bellows. The centrifugal fan was fabricated from locally-sourced components and an electric motor to make this setup. A customized insulation brick furnace was constructed to complement this setup. The insulation bricks were made from a mixture of sawdust and kaolin in the rati...