The fourth ENOUGH demonstrator is replacing a refrigeration ice bank, which is used to produce chilled water, with a new cooling system which reduces steam consumption by using the rejected heat to preheat milk at a yoghurt producer (YEO). The system will be tested and monitored to demonstrate the opportunities for thermal integration. Thus far the work has identified significant possibilities for energy and carbon savings and identified a pathway to eliminating gas use at the site.
Figure 1: Possible energy, CO2eq and cost savings that could be achieved.
The pathway consists of 4 phases:
- Phase 1: Replace chilled water 1 with a system with similar performance to chilled water 2 but with water cooled condenser.
- Phase 2: Increase the efficiency of the pasteurisers by changing the plate configuration. Replace old blast chillers with new unit(s) with water cooled condensers allowing rejected heat to be used to preheat milk.
- Phase 3: Install high temperature heat pump to raise low temperature hot water to 70°C.
- Phase 4: Install HTHP to deliver hot water at 110°C to replace remaining gas heating for pasteurisation.
Phase 1 is underway with ~€2m being spent to replace the existing icebank plus flow chiller system with a new ammonia-based system incorporating heat recovery to be used initially preheating milk going to the pasteurisers. Civil work are ongoing, and the chiller is currently under installation. Access to data on electricity, steam and chilled water use has been established. Access to process data is ongoing.
Figure 2: Dairy UK (Collection at Yeo Valley factory in Blagdon, UK and milk silos)
