The energy crisis is also forcing the food and beverage industry to rethink its processes. Energy consumption for cooking, cooling, and storage can quickly become a food producer’s largest cost center.
Energy-efficient technologies are therefore more in demand than ever – one promising candidate for savings is steam generation. We at JUMAG offer tutorials.
Full steam ahead with sustainability
There’s good news: One of the key components of the food industry is steam generation, whose versatile applications are required in the various food production processes. This is where the potential for effective energy and thus cost savings lies.
Modern innovations in steam generation include electric steam generators, which produce no exhaust gases and thus save CO2 taxes. Furthermore, modern steam generators save time and personnel resources, as maintenance is significantly simplified.
Those who don’t want to replace their steam generator yet can upgrade their fuel cells or control systems. Flue gas heat exchangers can also be used to reduce exhaust gas losses and achieve energy savings of up to 4% through simultaneous soft water heating.
Precisely adapting operations to demand is also worthwhile. Predefined pressure bands at specific times ensure that only the required energy is used. Regular sampling and demand-based treatment of feed water, boiler water, and condensate can save up to 10% of energy.
The power of water
Another key to energy efficiency lies in water treatment.
The saltier the water, the more frequently it needs to be sludged, as the salts thicken and cause the water to foam. The consequence: New water must be added and heated. This increases both water and energy consumption.
The use of high-quality reverse osmosis water or fully demineralized (DI) water prevents these losses. Reverse osmosis water is produced using an osmosis system, which filters most of the salts from the water. This process should be combined with pressure degassing, which removes all gases from the water. Without this process, dosing chemicals must be used to bind the gases, which reintroduces salts into the water and negates the effect.
Energy efficiency at JUMAG
The use of modern steam generators at JUMAG has already brought valuable savings to our customers.
This is demonstrated, for example, by the Nusbaumer distillery, which achieved energy savings of 50% by completely replacing its steam generator. The Schwalmbräu brewery also installed a new steam generator and was able to reduce primary energy consumption by more than a third. This has enabled the brewery to save around 20% of its energy costs. Our customer examples demonstrate that the use of modern technologies in steam generation saves energy and, by eliminating the use of chemicals, is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
At JUMAG, we are happy to advise you on all questions relating to the energy-efficient and modern use of steam generators in your company.
