How to estimate propane/gas consumption for brewhouse with direct fire heating?



Since different brewmasters has different brewing method, so the heating energy during brewing also have some difference.
Let's take an example for simple calculation, it's not accurate but you can estimate according to that:
 
For 1000L brewery system:
 
Assuming that you will go ahead with city water of 25°C for brewing, and the final temperature need to be reached in MLT is 78°C.
The energy needed will be around:
Q1=cmΔt=1000x4200x(78-25)/4.184=53202Kcal.
 
And in the KT, assuming the temperature raised from 78°C to 100°C
The energy needed will be around:
Q2=cmΔt=1000x4200x(100-78)/4.184=22084Kcal.
 
In addition, there will be around 8% of the evaporation during the boiling process. That is 80kg water.
The energy needed for the evaporation will be around:
Q3=λm=2260x80/4.184=43212Kcal.
 
So the total energy needed will be around Q=Q1+Q2+Q3=118498Kcal.
For propane, it will produce around 12022 Kcal/kg.
Theoretically speaking, it will use around 10kg propane in one batch brewing.
 
Generally, the efficiency of direct fire heating is around 60%-70%.
In addition, there also be some energy lose during the brewing process.
So you can estimate that propane consumption may be around 16-20 kg in per batch brewing.
 
For natural gas, it will produce around 8000-8500 Kcal per m³.
Similarly, you can estimate that natural gas consumption may be around 25-28 m³ in per batch brewing.


Edit by Jane
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