Energy Efficiency in Meat Processing

Abstract

Energy conservation plays a vital role towards sustainable development of meat processing. Energy costs for many meat plants represent the fourth highest operational cost. In meat processing, moderate levels of both electrical and thermal energy are consumed in wide range of processes and applications. However, energy efficiency improvement in the meat processing industry have been a focus to increase the sustainability of meat processing in the past decades. This chapter started with the examination of the energy use in meat processing facilities. The emerging energy-efficient technologies for meat processing were discussed in detail. Energy requirement for well-cooked meats varies with cooking method, appliances, and consumer behavior. Energy consumption reduction during meat cooking may have an influence on global energy requirement. Selection of cooking method, fuel, and cookware are beneficial for reducing the carbon footprint of the cooking unit. This chapter also presents the effects on quality characteristics of meat and meat products by different cooking methods.

Influence of various chilling methods on the sustainable beef production based on high voltage electrical stimulation

“…This is especially important because the meat industry is characterized by a high demand for electricity, as chilling systems consume by far the most of this type of energy [ 5 – 7 ]. In addition, Polish plants with their profitability of meat sales reaching barely 1–2%, deem it necessary to take the above-mentioned measures [ 8 ]. However, the investment and modernization activities undertaken at the stage of cattle slaughter and beef carcass/half-carcass chilling need to be adapted to industrial needs, whereas ready-to-adopt technologies should be characterized based on production and energy efficiency indicators of devices/installations and eco-efficiency of plants [ 9 – 11 ].…”

Framework to Assess Eco-Efficiency Improvement: Case Study of a Meat Production Industry

“…Within the most relevant issues related to the operations of meat production plants are the high level of energy consumption and the environmental impacts of the meat production processes (Alcázar-Ortega et al, 2012;Cesari et al, 2018;Nunes et al, 2016a). Such justifies the research on improvement measures which for instance encompass the requirement to improve energy efficiency, promote waste heat recovery, promote the use of renewable energy resources, the production and use of alternative fuels and overall promote ecoefficiency (Chantasiriwan, 2020;Froome et al, 2015;Gomaa et al, 2020;Herrero et al, 2013;Jouhara et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2020;Oliveira, 2018;Oliveira et al, 2021;Pathare et al, 2019;Pollock and Mason, 2015;United Nations Environment and Development Division, 2009).…”

Various Methods of Chilling and High-Voltage Electrical Stimulation Applied in Sustainable Beef Production Systems

“…The meat industry has a high demand for electricity, with chilling systems (chilling compressors) consuming by far the most of this type of energy (Feliciano et al 2014;Ferrarez et al 2016). Given that the profitability of sales of Polish meat processing plants is at 1-2% and energy saving plays a vital role in the sustainable development of the meat industry, optimization of its consumption becomes a must (Pathare, Roskilly, & Jagtap 2019). Producers seek to reduce electricity costs and to increase energy efficiency in the meat industry's innovative development, including the implementation of scientific research at the stage of cattle slaughter and the chilling .…”