Modification of a Beehive Warming System Based Upon Peltier Module | ||||
| Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering | ||||
| Article 3, Volume 15, Issue 2, February 2024, Page 31-37 PDF (1.42 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jssae.2024.263625.1215 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
F. M. Elsheikh   1; M. I. El-Didamony 2; M. A. I. Al-Rajhi3
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| 1Department of Bio-Engineering Systems, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. | ||||
| 2Department of Agricultural Engineering, Tanta University, Egypt. | ||||
| 3Department of Mechanization of Livestock and fish Production, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| The heat requirements for beehive are significant to preserve bee life, increase yield and obtain high honey quality. The increased electricity prices may diminish the honey production net profit. So, this study aims to modify a beehive warming system which operates using a PV panel to reduce bee mortality, improve honeybee colony activity, and enhance the strength and quality of honey. The warming system used based upon the Peltier module theory, operated with solar cells. The Peltier module works with DC power, requiring minimal maintenance and includes ceramic plates for both the hot and cold junctions. The study includes a warming system provided with 1, 2, 3, and 4 Peltier modules, respectively. The results indicate a gradual increase in PV panel output power, peaking at 250 Watts by 11 am and sharply declining to a minimum of 115 Watts by 3 pm. PV efficiency varies, reaching 13.9% at 9 am, dropping to 13.6% by 11 am, and peaking at 15.7% at 3 pm. The occupied frames increased by 4, 8, 11, and 13 frames using 1, 2, 3, and 4 Peltier modules, respectively. While, it decreased from 4 to 3 occupied frames under the traditional warming method. The honey production was 4.1, 5.1, 5.8, and 6.4 kg using 1, 2, 3, and 4 Peltier modules, respectively, opposite 2.8 kg for the non-warming system. The net profit of the modified warming system with 4 Peltier modules was 95.8% higher than that of the traditional warming system. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Peltier; Solar system; warming; winter; Honeybee; improvement; bee colonies | ||||
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