REcycling wastewater Heat in mEAT production/preparation in Zambia: technology and process development, and societal impacts (REHEATZ)

Project Description

The REHEATZ project aims to develop low-cost technology to recycle the waste heat embedded in the wastewater produced in meat production and preparation in Zambian food production facilities and food service outlets. This technology will significantly lower the energy requirement, cost and CO2 emissions of food products in Zambia. Large volumes of hot water are required for the production of meat products and for the preparation of meat-based food. The majority of the heat present in this clean hot water is discarded as wastewater at temperatures of 40-50oC. This represents a significant waste of the energy required to heat clean, cold water to service temperatures, and it could instead be recycled through the development of wastewater heat recovery technology (WWHR). WWHR enables the recycling of waste heat in wastewater back into the local heating system, lowering the cost of food production and lower energy and CO2 emissions. In the Zambian context the development of new low-cost WWHR technology is required for a viable developing country solution. The REHEATZ project will develop this technology and demonstrate its societal impact on the local community including impact on the price of food, employment, women and youth.