Dairy Heat Recovery Systems

The waste heat that is generated by dairy cooling systems during the milk refrigeration process can be re-purposed in hot water vessels and used for cleaning, sanitizing and pre-heating of equipment.

The system works by transferring the heat from the hot refrigerant gases in the milk cooling system to a water storage tank or a pipe feeding water to the tank. This process is done by a heat recovery unit (HRU) that is either mounted in the tank or in the pipe. The HRU uses a heat exchanger to transfer the heat from the refrigerant to the water. Depending on the type and size of the HRU, the water temperature can reach up to 55°C or more.

Dairy heat recovery systems have many benefits for dairy farmers, such as:

• More hot water available quicker and all year round
• Reduced water heating costs and energy consumption
• Improved production hygiene

There are different types and models of dairy heat recovery system available on the market, depending on the size of your dairy operation, the type of your milk cooling system, and the amount of milk produced. Some factors to consider when choosing the right dairy heat recovery system for your farm are:

• The capacity and efficiency of the HRU
• The size and insulation of the water storage tank
• The compatibility and integration with your existing milk cooling system
• The installation and maintenance costs and requirements

Renihan Refrigeration are experts in the installation of heat recovery systems. Our engineers can help you recover and re-use heat from your milk cooling system.