Food Processing Case Study
Food Processing Facility
- In the Greater Salt Lake Area
In a food processing facility in the Salt Lake area, 130,000 gallons of wash-down and process water are sent to the sewer every day. This costs $175,000 in new water costs and $350,000 in sewer each year. Additionally, the plant has significant electrical and natural gas costs to run pumps, heaters, and coolers–the natural gas used to run the heaters costs another $60,000/yr.
Wash-down water from this facility contains 3,300 lbs./day of fats, sugars, and proteins which could fuel a 200 kW SREUS unit converting all 130,000 gallons per day into drinking grade RO water plus 5,760 gallons/day of sterile distilled water for final CIP (Clean In Place).
In this model, most of the energy is used to clean the water, but $45,000 in electrical savings could also be produced for the plant each year.
Between water, sewer, electrical, and water heating, the plant could save $643,500 annually using a SREUS system.
Numbers Speak For Themselves
$
25000
+
Electrical Costs
$
250000
+
Water / Sewer Costs
$
450000
+
Total Annual Savings
$
25000
+
Electrical Costs
$
250000
+
Water / Sewer Costs
$
450000
+
Total Annual Savings
FUEL
Possible Fuel Inputs
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Well, in this instance, perhaps your trash could be your treasure… When it comes to producing power and clean water using the SREUS system, there are many fuels that can power it:
Dairy and Food Plant Wash Down Water
Between each batch of milk or yogurt, the equipment must be cleaned. The wash down water ends up with fats, sugars, and proteins that make useful SREUS fuels.
Food Scraps
Typically from food plants, cut-off ends, peelings, seeds, pits, damaged or rotting food, and anything that goes down a garbage disposal can be recycled as SREUS fuel.
Grains and Seeds
Wheat, corn, oats, or many seeds that are spoiled, wet, or dry can be fed through the reactor as fuel.
Hulls
Soybean, dried bean, or dried pea pods can all be used as fuel.
Natural Gas
Either filtered or raw natural gas can be inserted as fuel.
Paper Trash
Paper fiber, newspaper, mail, and adds are all viable fuel options.
Plastics
Plastic garbage or recycling rejects, polyethylene, polypropylene, milk jugs, plastic bottles, grocery bags, and even baby diapers can act as non-toxic fuel for a SREUS unit.
Sewage
Yes, even post-flush waste can be used.
Sewer Gas
Sewer gas is methane that comes off of decomposing sewage water. Captured sewer gas could also be used as fuel.
Interested In More Details?
We would love to discuss how this technology could benefit your industry!
