Development of a Geothermal Heat-Based System for Honey Extraction Process

Abstract

In the age of renewable energies, geothermal energy is playing a key role in society. This resource can be utilized either directly or indirectly. Some of the most often used direct application areas of geothermal energy include agriculture, aquaculture, and balneology among others. Honey processing has emerged as a key area where geothermal energy can be applied for societal benefits. This study sought to determine how geothermal energy can be applied in honey extraction and processing. Based on the findings, the bee farmers in Menengai faces challenges during honesty processing mainly wastage. The designed system would help to solve this challenge. The simulation results indicated that, by maintaining certain flow rates of the geothermal water (fluid) and blowing the extracted heat at a given rate, the desired temperature of 40 - 46 °C at which honey is extracted from honeycombs can be achieved. Similarly, fine-tuning the parameters would attain temperatures in the range of 75 °C, which can be beneficial in the preservation of the honey via denaturing of yeast. This system will help to improve honey processing and promote large scale honey production.