Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas have developed a computer simulation program that milk processing companies can use to assess their energy use and evaluate the economic impact of installing alternative energy management systems. The simulator model, now available to members, can help companies benchmark their current operations and test lower-cost upgrades and new processes that could improve energy efficiency and lower their carbon footprints.

“This model and simulator offers a great benefit for members that want to measure their energy use, develop a benchmark and produce a very realistic cost-benefit analysis for a variety of processing technology investments,” said Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs. “I’ve watched and supported the development process for several years and feel confident that members will gain great insight and could see significant energy savings by using the program.”

The process model was developed based on data from industrial experts, equipment suppliers and available literature. It uses a generic plant design with operations and equipment necessary to process milk using conventional HTST pasteurization with full homogenization. The facility used in the model operates 16 hours a day, 260 days a year.

Read the “Manual for the Fluid Milk Process Model and Simulator” for more details.

The simulator uses SuperPro Designer v 8.5, made by Intelligen, Inc. of Scotch Plains, N.J. Processors will need a SuperPro Designer software license to run the model, and a free evaluation version of the software is available for download at Intelligen, Inc. More details on the software are available here.

For more information, contact Detlefsen at cdetlefsen@idfa.org.