Analysis of Energy Losses of a Gas Digester During Feed Preparation

The results of a test to assess the energy efficiency of a gas digester with proportional regulation of gas flow, which depends on the total energy loss and is estimated by the efficiency coefficient, which is set by the ratio of the useful component of energy to total energy, including losses, are presented. (Research purpose) The research purpose is conducting experimental studies and to performing an analysis of energy losses, determining the energy parameters of a digester with proportional power control when using a thermoelectric generator. (Materials and methods) It was shown that the main indicator of the efficiency of a gas–using digester is the specific energy consumption per unit of prepared feed, as well as the effici­ency coefficient. We considered two options for determining the efficiency: calculated and experimental. (Results and discussion) The components of heat losses were given using various coefficients that vary in a wide range, which affects the accuracy of the calculation. Using experimental studies, the total gas consumption for heating the contents of the cooking container to boiling and the gas consumption for compensating heat losses and for maintaining a quiet boil were calculated, the useful component of energy for heating the product to boiling was estimated. (Conclusions) It was revealed that the total heat loss is 18.1 percent of the total energy consumption. Based on experimental data, the total gas consumption and the useful efficiency of the boiler was determined, which is equal to 84 percent. It was stated that when the cooking tank is fully loaded, the specific heat consumption is 0.017 kilowatt-hour per kilogram less than when the boiler is loaded by 20 percent.