3

Nov

Application of alternative systems and optimization of traditional systems for the energy supply in the food industry

Development of a cogeneration plant for the meat industry.

In a recent study conducted by a group of Brazilian researchers (de Siqueira Neto et al., 2018), the technical and economic feasibility analysis of a biomass cogeneration plant was assessed (i.e. wood chips), with the objective of supplying electricity and heat to a poultry slaughterhouse. After an analysis of energy consumption data on an annual basis, the authors model different scenarios considering the characteristics of the machinery available on the market.

The planned cogeneration plant is equipped with a water-tube generator for the production of superheated steam, which feeds a condensation turbine. In particular, four different configurations were evaluated, at different levels of steam pressure/temperature (43 bar/450°C and 68 bar/520°C), and the use of impulse and reaction turbines. The results pointed out that the configuration SG2/ST2 (68 bar/520°C and reaction turbine) is the one that offers the best advantages.

This scenario, in fact, is characterized by the highest overall efficiency values and the lowest consumption of biomass and cooling water. Furthermore, the economic analysis points out that the price of the wood chips represented the highest cost and, hence, the main factor for the feasibility of the cogeneration plant. Finally, for the optimum configuration SG2/ST2 a payback period of six years was obtained, which is acceptable.

Optimization of saturated steam boilers by implementing a pre-heating system.

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