A Concept for Integrating Recovered Heat and Solar Energy to Heat Water in Broiler Processing Plants

ABSTRACT WE analyzed hot-water requirements of broiler processing plants and described a concept for integrating recovered heat, solar heat, heat storage, and boiler heat. We estimated that, if the concept were fully implemented, about 35% of the net heat for water in a 1-shift plant could come from icemakers, 18% from scalders, 4% from air compressors, and 20% from solar collectors. Corresponding fractions for a 2-shift plant were 43%, 20%, 4% and 6%. The estimates did not include conversion losses (fuel energy to water heat via steam) and heat losses from scalder tanks, storage tanks, and water piping. We also discussed some alternate equipment types and operating strategies.