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 Growers of California
Recipient
Kingsburg, CA
Recipient Location
16th
Senate District
33rd
Assembly District
$3,060,000
Amount Spent
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 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
Subrecipients
DC Energy Services
Heat and Control Inc.
Match Partners
Sun-Maid Growers of California