Uso de energia solar térmica na melhoria da qualidade do leite em pequenas propriedades rurais em Sant'ana do Livramento (RS)

Abstract

This case study, qualitative and exploratory, was based on the use of solar energy and existing equipment on the market for water heating, modules with tubular collectors evacuated in order to achieve the reduction of production costs in rural activities, such as of milk production. The ideal conditions that are mainly physical space and solar radiation are present in the studied region, region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and specifically in Sant’Ana do Livramento, with average annual sunshine 2500 hours. The capture of solar energy for use in water heating meets the needs of rural properties that require the use of equipment for cleaning, reducing production costs with reduced use of electricity and medicines, especially to combat the illness caused by poor hygiene equipment and utensils. That, it is possible, through the use of hot water, enabling the cleaning to the specific product for this purpose, are the alkaline and acid cleaners which depend on water temperatures ranging from 35 to 75 ° C for maximum efficiency cleaning and decontamination of equipment and utensils used in the milking process. As for the costs spent on electricity for heating water, reach the amount of R$ 1,458.00 for year in relation to the use of electric heaters. With the investment in a solar thermal equipment, with an average cost of R $ 2,600.00 market, the producer will be able to pay back this investment in 21.5 months, with the amount saved on electricity for water heating.