Food-plant heat recovery: first site-record checklist

Use this to identify missing measurements and next steps, not to select equipment. Mark unknowns as “to measure”; do not present defaults as site data.

1. Record scope
Record date, production shift, system boundary, measurement locations, sources and methods. Distinguish measurements, plant-supplied information and assumptions.
Record / source / missing measurements: ____________________


2. Heat source
Record fluid, supply/return temperatures (°C), flow with units, recovery location and variation. Note whether heat extraction affects the existing refrigeration system.
Record / source / missing measurements: ____________________


3. Heat demand
Record required supply/return temperatures (°C), water demand or heat duty with units, and timing. Separate cleaning, process and other uses.
Record / source / missing measurements: ____________________


4. Operating overlap
Record source and demand loads on the same time axis, covering shifts, cleaning and downtime. A single reading cannot represent long-term variation.
Record / source / missing measurements: ____________________


5. Existing energy use
Record existing heating fuel or electricity use, measurement period and energy prices. Account separately for pumps, fans, changes in refrigeration power and other auxiliaries.
Record / source / missing measurements: ____________________


6. Constraints & gaps
Record hygienic separation, space, maintenance, shutdown windows and safety matters requiring specialist review. Assign responsibility for each missing measurement.
Record / source / missing measurements: ____________________


Next: resolve missing inputs before project screening. Qualified professionals must review ammonia safety, pressure equipment and hygienic design.

Material version: 2026-10-14. Refer to each case’s cited sources and dates for its status and figures.

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