title: Waste management in the meat processing industry: Conversion of paunch and DAF sludge into solid fuel.
abstract: This article addresses the novel dewatering process of immersion-frying of paunch and dissolved air flotation (DAF) sludge to produce high energy pellets. Literature have been analysed to address the feasibility of replacing conventional boiler fuel at meat processing facilities with high energy paunch-DAF sludge pellets (capsules). The value proposition of pelleting and frying this mixture into energy pellets is based on a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). The CBA is based on information derived from the literature and consultation with the Australian Meat Processing Industry. The calorific properties of a mixture of paunch cake solids and DAF sludge were predicted from literature and industry consultation to validate the product. This study shows that the concept of pelletizing and frying paunch is economically feasible. The complete frying and dewatering of the paunch and DAF sludge mixture produces pellets with energy content per kilogram equivalent to coal. The estimated cost of this new product is half the price of coal and the payback period is estimated to be between 1.8 and 3.2years. Further research is required for proof of concept, and to identify the technical challenges associated with integrating this technology into existing meat processing plants.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: Ihsan.hamawand@usq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ihsan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hamawand
authors.affiliation: University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pittaway
authors.affiliation: Scotia, NY, USA. Electronic address: larrylewisnotge@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Institute for Resilient Regions (IRR), University of Southern Queensland, Springfield 4300, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Sayan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakrabarty
authors.affiliation: Oakey Beef Export Pty. Ltd, Oakey, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.affiliation: University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eberhard
authors.affiliation: School of ICT, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Australia.
authors.forename: Arpita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis* / Q000191:economics; D008462:Meat-Packing Industry / Q000191:economics; D018505:Waste Management / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste
keywords: Biofuel; DAF sludge; Energy pellets; Frying; Paunch; Waste management