College - Author 1

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Department - Author 1

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Date

12-2013

Primary Advisor

Andrew Holtz

Abstract/Summary

Energy will always be a consideration when distilling any product. Fog’s End Distillery in Gonzales, CA is a small scale micro distillery for ethanol. For Fog’s End, efficiency is key to staying competitive. In this project the efficiency of energy in vs product out will be calculated. While collecting this data the price/bottle for energy will be determined and used for an assembly cost. To determine the efficiency the fuel usage will be recorded for several distillation trials. The mash contents and product contents will all be measured and calculations will be performed to find the theoretical amount of energy required to heat up the mash and to evaporate the products collected. For sensible heat the equation ��=����Δ�� will be used, and for latent heat the equation ��=±������ will be used. This project will not take into consideration many of the small factors that affect efficiency, such as burner efficiency, radiant heat loss, or energy loss from cooling water. 17 trials were conducted and it was found the average efficiency was 23.8% and the average cost/bottle for energy was $0.76. There are many small factors that affect the efficiency, with more testing the most inefficient component could be isolated and adjusted. Monetary limitations prevent acquiring a larger and more efficient still. Energy cost/bottle will help Fog’s End distribute manufacturing costs properly.

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