The audits of several meat processors identified a payback of between 3.2 and 4.9 years of adding CO2 heat pumps to replace gas hot water systems. In one case a mixing valve was recommended to one system that was providing higher temperature to return a payback of 1.4 years. Additional benefits include greenhouse gas emission reductions of 283.5 t CO2-e.
Energy audits were completed for several meat processors in Southern Queensland that process mainly beef cattle as well as sheep and pigs. Whilst the majority of site energy consumption is refrigeration significant energy consumption is associated with production of hot water for wash down purposes. Hot water is generated primarily using LPG instantaneous burners to reach a temperature of 60°C for wash down purposes or around 80°C for sterilisation. LPG is stored on site in cylinders or in large vessels that are replenished regularly.