Energy consumption during manufacturing of different dairy products in a commercial dairy plant: A case study

The purpose behind the energy optimization and management for dairy plant is to control the energy consumption for getting the overall maximum efficiency. For a case study of energy consumption in manufacturing of dairy products, a multi-product dairy plant was selected. The product technology and dairy operations of different dairy products were explored under batch process to identify the high energy consuming centers termed as critical control point (CCPs). Various equations for heat and mass transfer, flow rate, electrical consumption, were used to find the actual utilities consumption (steam, water, electrical energy) in dairy operations. The data of this case study was compared with previous study and found that the energy conserving status was declining. It is, therefore, essential that existing plant should be well instrumented and plant manufactures be encouraged to give more accurate service consumption figures so that energy audit can be made accurately.