Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving Potential Analysis of Biomass Boiler at the PT Greenfields Indonesia Milk Processing Plant

Abstract

Boilers are essential utility equipment in a milk processing plant because they produce steam primarily used in process heating applications, including pasteurization, cooking, and evaporation. Energy use in boilers is the most effective energy use in milk processing plants. Therefore it is crucial to keep the boiler efficiency. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency and energy-saving opportunities of the biomass boiler in the milk processing plant of PT Greenfield Indonesia, which is located in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. The fuel used in the boiler is candlenut shell, which is widely available in the area. Boiler efficiency was evaluated by direct and indirect methods referring to ASME PTC 4-1. In the direct method, the energy gained by working fluid is compared with the energy content of the fuel. In contrast, various losses are compared to the energy input in the indirect method. The data used in this study were obtained from operation logbook data and field measurement data. Our result shows that the biomass boiler efficiency is 82.24% using the direct method and 79,64% using the indirect method. Flue gas is the most significant energy loss in the biomass boiler. Energy savings can be obtained by installing an air preheater, setting excess air, and adding insulation on some boiler walls.