Development and Operationalization of Solar-Assisted Rapid Bulk Milk Cooler

Abstract

This work aims at providing insight into developmental and operational experience of an innovative milk cooler which uses solar thermal energy for cooling of fresh milk by way of vapor absorption refrigeration system (VARS). The system uses CPC solar collector(s) producing medium temperature that is desired to provide required thermal energy to the generator of VARS. However, mismatch between the time of availability of solar energy and cooling period of milk raises a demand of integrating thermal storage to this system for use of thermal energy at appropriate times. The novelty of this work is the development of experimental setup and its operation as innovative design to meet the requirement and possible model for the industry to operate and grow using the suggested system. The design, while addressing the problem of grass root level people for generation of income, also helps in reducing the carbon footprint of milk industry, and in the world environment as a whole.