Performance Analysis of Small-Scale Milk Processing Using a Photovoltaic System with Heat Recovery for Off-Grid Areas.
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| Title: | Performance Analysis of Small-Scale Milk Processing Using a Photovoltaic System with Heat Recovery for Off-Grid Areas. |
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| Authors: | Bodena, Fikadu Geremu1 (AUTHOR) fikadu.geremu@aau.edu.et, Amibe, Demiss Alemu1,2 (AUTHOR), Nydal, Ole Jorgen1,2 (AUTHOR), Eikevik, Trygve Magne2 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Energies (19961073). Apr2026, Vol. 19 Issue 7, p1642. 19p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Heat recovery, *Dairy processing, *Milk storage, *Carbon dioxide mitigation, *Clean energy, *Energy consumption |
| Abstract: | Moving toward sustainable energy in small-scale dairies is an indispensable requirement and a significant challenge in developing countries. This study investigates a solar-powered refrigeration system with heat recovery designed to address the energy challenges faced by small-scale dairy farmers in off-grid areas of developing nations. It presents a novel solar-powered refrigeration system with integrated heat recovery, experimentally optimized to simultaneously deliver heating and cooling while valorizing waste heat and synergistically integrating solar energy to establish a decentralized and energy-autonomous milk preservation system for off-grid applications. The proposed system successfully recovers an average of 55% of the heat rejected by the condenser, thereby delivering more than 1000 W of usable thermal energy necessary for milk pasteurization. The experimental findings showed a coefficient of performance of 4.7, representing a 43% improvement over conventional systems, and achieved a Carnot efficiency of 42%. In addition, the system yields an annual energy savings of 3650 kWh and reduces carbon emissions by 971 kg per year for a 50 L unit. These findings underscore the system's substantial potential to enhance energy efficiency, promote sustainability, reduce spoilage, improve incomes, mitigate carbon emissions, and enhance local milk preservation capabilities within small-scale dairy operations, minimizing reliance on diesel or firewood, particularly in regions that are distant from access to grid energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
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| Abstract: | Moving toward sustainable energy in small-scale dairies is an indispensable requirement and a significant challenge in developing countries. This study investigates a solar-powered refrigeration system with heat recovery designed to address the energy challenges faced by small-scale dairy farmers in off-grid areas of developing nations. It presents a novel solar-powered refrigeration system with integrated heat recovery, experimentally optimized to simultaneously deliver heating and cooling while valorizing waste heat and synergistically integrating solar energy to establish a decentralized and energy-autonomous milk preservation system for off-grid applications. The proposed system successfully recovers an average of 55% of the heat rejected by the condenser, thereby delivering more than 1000 W of usable thermal energy necessary for milk pasteurization. The experimental findings showed a coefficient of performance of 4.7, representing a 43% improvement over conventional systems, and achieved a Carnot efficiency of 42%. In addition, the system yields an annual energy savings of 3650 kWh and reduces carbon emissions by 971 kg per year for a 50 L unit. These findings underscore the system's substantial potential to enhance energy efficiency, promote sustainability, reduce spoilage, improve incomes, mitigate carbon emissions, and enhance local milk preservation capabilities within small-scale dairy operations, minimizing reliance on diesel or firewood, particularly in regions that are distant from access to grid energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 19961073 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/en19071642 |
