Demonstrating a High Efficiency Raisin Dryer at the Sun-Maid Raisins Facility

This project will replace an existing dryer with a highly efficient dryer thereby reducing GHG emissions at a raisin processing facility

Sun-Maid's Company Logo in portrait form. A woman in a red bonnet carrying a basket of grapes.

Sun-Maid Growers of California

Recipient

Kingsburg, CA

Recipient Location

16th

Senate District

33rd

Assembly District

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$3,060,000

Amount Spent

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Active

Project Status

Project Update

The Issue

Dryers for food processing operations can require high energy sources due to common inefficiencies in system design. These dryers are a combination of natural gas-fired burners and circulation fans to provide the necessary heat and airflow to accomplish the drying process. This common food processing technology is energy intensive and consumes significant amounts of energy. There is significant potential to improve the overall efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of current drying processes through utilizing highly efficient dryers.

Project Innovation

This project will design, install, and operate a state-of-the-art, highly efficient raisin dryer at the Recipient's raisin production facility. The recipient will integrate the system into the food production operation, demonstrating the potential to decrease energy use in food drying processes. By implementing this technology at a large food processing facility, this project will demonstrate the potential for optimized drying processes to reduce GHG emissions, overall energy consumption, and operating costs at similar food processing facilities.

Project Benefits

This project will result in GHG and criteria pollutant emission reductions by replacing an existing dryer with a highly efficient dryer at the facility.

Environmental & Public Health

Environmental Sustainability

The project is expected to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year and nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 1.5 tons per year.

Key Project Members

Casey Mount

Casey Mount

Engineering Manager
Sun-Maid Growers of California

Subrecipients

Rocket

DC Energy Services

Rocket

Heat and Control Inc.

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Match Partners

Rocket

Sun-Maid Growers of California

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