Abstract
Steam is often used in industrial food production plants both for processing and for hot water production. Hot water is further used for tap water and for cleaning. Some of the external energy used to heat the water could be substituted with surplus heat from the compressors and the condensers in the plant's refrigeration system.
The use of energy for hot water production in an abattoir was analyzed. The system was recently extended with extra piping and heat exchangers for utilizing the heat from the ammonia compressors for hot water heating. A heat pump that uses refrigeration condenser heat was also installed.
The production varies over the year, and thus, monthly energy consumption has been calculated. Measurement data from Mars 2010 until Oct 2012 has been recorded. The results have shown a significant reduction in external energy requirement for hot water production. External energy use as part of total energy to heat the water has been reduced from 55% to 13% because of the extra heat recovery installations. The carbon footprint has also been calculated, with the new system leading to a 60% reduction.
The use of energy for hot water production in an abattoir was analyzed. The system was recently extended with extra piping and heat exchangers for utilizing the heat from the ammonia compressors for hot water heating. A heat pump that uses refrigeration condenser heat was also installed.
The production varies over the year, and thus, monthly energy consumption has been calculated. Measurement data from Mars 2010 until Oct 2012 has been recorded. The results have shown a significant reduction in external energy requirement for hot water production. External energy use as part of total energy to heat the water has been reduced from 55% to 13% because of the extra heat recovery installations. The carbon footprint has also been calculated, with the new system leading to a 60% reduction.