Influence of a flash steam system in the drying area for the reduction of fuel consumption in the fish meal plant Copeinca S.A.C.

Abstract

Objective. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of a flash steam system in the drying area in order to reduce fuel consumption in the fish meal plant Copeinca.

Materials and methods. The research is of a quantitativeand appliedtype, it hastwo defined phases:field research and desk research. The method and design of the research aredescriptive; wherethe population consisted of all the Fish meal Plants of the company COPEINCASAC,and the sample was the Plant located in Chancay.

Results.The operation and technical data of the steam dryers, cooking area and heat exchangers of the PAMA’s areawere compiled.They were made balances of material and energy and it was determined that using the condensate of the Rotadisk and Rotatubs dryers the flash steam systemproduce 3504,71 kg/h offlash steam at a pressure of 1,4 Bargwhich will be used in the cooking area and heat exchangers of the PAMA’s area . Then,it was determined the equivalent fuel that represents the energy of the produced flash steam. Finally, an economic analysis based on the savings, investment and maintenance costs of the flash steam system implementation was made.

Conclusion. It was concluded that implementing the flash steam system, the fuel consumption of the plant is reduced in 3,68%,generating a cost saving of USD 94 975,18.