Dehumidifying system cuts meat processor’s costs by a cool 43 per cent

German-based TonniesFleisch is realising savings of $231,000 – or 43 per cent - a year compared to conventional air conditioning methods following the fitting of its dessicant dehumidification system, said DuCool. The US company announced that the return on investment at the company’s Rheda-Wiedenbruk plant would be 18 months. Economies are made because the system uses cold and hot water available in the plant from other processes to deliver dry and cool air, it added.

Working conditions and maintenance benefits​

TonniesFleisch flagged up the need for a new cooling network after the opening a new wing at its German facility. The area contained a washing and cleaning system that created high levels of humidity. This created uncomfortable working conditions and raised maintenance issues triggered by extra corrosion to equipment.

As well as reducing energy costs, DuCool said their system has improved working conditions and prolonged equipment life-span.

Engineers from TonniesFleisch found that to reduce humidity to reasonable levels a continuous supply of 30,000 cubic metres per hour of air at 16°C (61°F) and relative humidity of 40 per cent was needed.

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“The traditional approach would have been to install a conventional air conditioning system for cooling and dehumidifying,”​ a DuCool spokesman told FoodProductionDaily.com. “In order to reach the required humidity level, it would have been necessary to cool the air to about 3°C (37°F). The air would then have to be reheated to 16°C to provide comfortable working conditions. This would have wasted considerable amounts of energy.”​

Efficient cooling​

Instead, the meat processor installed six of DuCool’s dehumidifying handling units plus a post-treatment air unit (AHU) – which is smaller than conventional systems and operates at higher temperatures, said the firm.

DuCool said its systems utilise waste heat to generate efficient cooling and dehumidification. Cold water for the cooling process can be taken from any source, including a cooling tower, geothermal well or even a river, added the company.

DuCool said its system also boosts safety as it improves indoor air quality and removes around 91 per cent of airborne organisms, as well as 80 per cent of particles larger than five microns in a single pass.