In this study the energy consumption of milk cooling systems for sheep milk was quantified, depending on number of milkings and performance class. The aim was to produce updated data about the incidence of energy consumption for milk cooling, useful for energy auditing research in livestock. The cost in electricity bills and the weight on the current price of sheep milk were calculated. The experimental work was carried out on 22 milk cooling systems in Sardinia, equipped with open-type tank and direct expansion system. A performance test was performed to determine the cooling time, monitoring the milk cooling energy consumption simultaneously. Factors affecting energy consumption were identified, such as the number of milkings, power/volume ratio and performance class. The average energy consumption was 1.795 kWh/100 l for two milkings and 2.427 kWh/100 l for four milkings tanks. The energy consumption for storage of cooled milk was estimated averagely 0.120 kWh/100 l. Malfunctioning systems in the sample consumed averagely 26% more than those with regular cooling time. The electricity cost for cooling accounts for 0.63% on the current price of sheep milk. The study highlights the need for regular maintenance in old tanks and a modernisation of milk cooling systems in sheep breeding farms in Sardinia, influenced by the introduction of a milk quality payment scheme, taking into account the importance of a correct and fast cooling process.

Energy consumption analysis of sheep milk cooling systems / Cossu, Marco. - (2013 Feb 21).

Energy consumption analysis of sheep milk cooling systems

COSSU, Marco
2013-02-21

Abstract

In this study the energy consumption of milk cooling systems for sheep milk was quantified, depending on number of milkings and performance class. The aim was to produce updated data about the incidence of energy consumption for milk cooling, useful for energy auditing research in livestock. The cost in electricity bills and the weight on the current price of sheep milk were calculated. The experimental work was carried out on 22 milk cooling systems in Sardinia, equipped with open-type tank and direct expansion system. A performance test was performed to determine the cooling time, monitoring the milk cooling energy consumption simultaneously. Factors affecting energy consumption were identified, such as the number of milkings, power/volume ratio and performance class. The average energy consumption was 1.795 kWh/100 l for two milkings and 2.427 kWh/100 l for four milkings tanks. The energy consumption for storage of cooled milk was estimated averagely 0.120 kWh/100 l. Malfunctioning systems in the sample consumed averagely 26% more than those with regular cooling time. The electricity cost for cooling accounts for 0.63% on the current price of sheep milk. The study highlights the need for regular maintenance in old tanks and a modernisation of milk cooling systems in sheep breeding farms in Sardinia, influenced by the introduction of a milk quality payment scheme, taking into account the importance of a correct and fast cooling process.
21-feb-2013
Energy; milk; cooling; dairy; sheep; auditing; tank
Energy consumption analysis of sheep milk cooling systems / Cossu, Marco. - (2013 Feb 21).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11388/250996
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