Energy conservation in the canning industry. Phase I: identification and measurement of energy uses in food processing operations

Results are presented of the first phase of a comprehensive energy conservation research project partially funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE) through NFPA-DOE Contract No. DE-AC07-78C540191. The specific objectives of this phase were to: perform energy audits of unit operations used in the processing of spinach, peaches and tomatoes and to identify unit operations which are major users of energy; study in detail those operations which are more energy intensive; use computer-aided model studies to determine the efficiency of each unit operation; and enumerate sources of energy wastage in each operation and suggest preliminary methods of conserving energy. The second and third phases of this project, to be conducted from 1979 through 1982, will involve more detailed analysis of energy-intensive unit operations. Specific recommendations on modification of processes and equipment will be developed to achieve energy conservation in fruit and vegetable processing plants.