Energy conservation in small and medium scale agro-food industries in northern Thailand | |
| Author | Wipawadee Wongsuwan |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. ET-97-16 |
| Subject(s) | Energy conservation--Thailand, Northern Food industry and trade--Energy consumption--Thailand, Northern |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Agriculture plays an important role in the Thai economy and agriculture & agro-food industries offer a major source of employment, especially in small and medium scale industries. This study aims to study the energy consumption pattern in agro-food industries in Northern Thailand and possibilities of energy conservation. The agro-food industry share is about 30% of total energy consumption in the manufacturing sector. In Northern Thailand, agro-food industries share is around 70% of energy consumption in industri.al sectors, and about 95% of energy consumption in agro-food industries are by small and medium scale factories. In this study, three Thailand Standard Industrial Classification groups of agro-food industries, namely, fruit canning industry, fruit & vegetable preservation (drying) and noodle industry have been considered due to their significant share in the total energy consumption in Northern Thailand. Three small and medium scale factories were selected for detailed energy audit and data from eight more factories were collected to extrapolate the results for N01ihern Thailand. From the energy audit of these audited agro food industries groups, it can be estimated that a saving of around 1.587% of thermal energy consumption in small and medium scale agro-food industries in Northern Thailand is possible by the adoption of energy conservation options suggested. In addition, the thermal energy consumption in Thailand's agro-food industries that could also be saved is 0.234%. These energy savings is expected to provided an overall thermal energy reduction estimated at around 12.252 ktoe. A new classification method, namely, the processwise classification concept is proposed for agro-food industries. It has been found that drying and cooking process have a large share in energy consumption in agro-food industries. This concept gives a clearer picture of the energy consumption pattern in the agro-food industry and can be extended to other industries also. |
| Year | 1997 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kumar, S. ; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Bhattacharya, Sribas C. ;Surapong Chirarattananon; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of United Kingdom; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997 |