Process Integration Study of a Poultry Processing Plant

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a process integration study of a poultry processing plant. The Pinch Methodology was utilized to set targets for process energy use and to critique previous attempts at energy conservation in poultry plants. It was found that not all the energy conservation measures previously implemented in the plant were conducive for minimum energy design. This study revealed that designing a poultry plant for minimum energy use is possible with currently available techniques. Further, existing plants can be retrofitted to improve process energy use easily. Most significant is the minimum energy design target for a process that has been studied very thoroughly in the past. This target answers the question, how much better could the poultry process be? The author has also found that the Pinch Methodology can be easily programmed on a spreadsheet. Many energy conservation engineers have shied away from Pinch analyses in the past. However, it is a very useful tool that can be easily applied after the initial inertia of training is overcome.