Why there is Serious Money in Kitchen Fumes – BBC News

Kitchen fumes from restaurants have always been a major environmental concern. The exhaust from the cooking and heating process contains a high amount of grease and soot particles that can cause pollution and harm the environment. In the search for more efficient and cost-effective ways of utilizing kitchen fumes, Enjay, a start-up based in Malmö, has developed a new form of heat exchange equipment called Lepido, which can recover energy from kitchen fumes and help reduce bills for conventional heating, as well as reduce emissions in the process.

The Promise of Energy Recovery

The Lepido equipment works by using larger and optimized heat exchange equipment which causes the grease and soot particles to bypass the metal coils, allowing for effective energy recovery. This process reduces the energy loss that occurs when hot air is vented straight out of the restaurant building, resulting in substantial cost savings and a reduction in emissions. Tests have shown that an average-sized restaurant using Lepido can cut its heating bills by up to 90% a year and reduce its annual carbon footprint by 30 tonnes.

Expanding Across Europe and UK

Enjay’s Lepido equipment has become commercially available since 2018 and has already been installed in around 25 Burger King franchises across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, as well as school and hotel kitchens across the Nordics and the Benelux region. The company is now experiencing a surge in requests from other restaurateurs in Europe, Canada and the US who are interested in using their Lepido equipment. Enjay’s trials of the Lepido equipment are underway in several UK locations, including Turtle Bay, and Matt Manfield, facilities manager for Turtle Bay in the UK, has shown a keen interest in investing in the system after seeing the impressive results of its trials in Sweden.

A Potential Drawback for Smaller Restaurants

Enjay’s Lepido equipment costs around $30,000 (£24,000) to buy and install. While the potential for savings can be significant, the cost may be a challenge for smaller independent restaurant owners who may not be able to afford the equipment. In fact, the price of the product may be one of the most significant challenges for the widespread adoption of the technology.

Related Facts

• Enjay is one of the several companies that offer profitable energy recovery from kitchen exhaust, but their Lepido equipment is unique as it allows for grease and soot particles bypass the heat exchanger.
• The hot air from the kitchen exhaust is used to heat up cold water, which can then be used to heat other areas of the building.
• The cost for buying and installing a Lepido heat exchanger is around $30,000 (£24,000), which may pose a challenge for smaller independent restaurant owners.
• Enjay’s Lepido equipment is already in use in around 25 Burger King franchises across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and several school and hotel kitchens across the Nordics and the Benelux region.

Key Takeaway

Enjay’s Lepido equipment offers an effective and efficient way of recovering energy from kitchen fumes, reducing conventional heating bills by up to 90% and reducing annual carbon footprint by 30 tonnes in an average-sized restaurant. The technology has already demonstrated significant cost savings and has secured many installations in several leading food industries across the Nordics and the UK. However, the cost associated with buying and installing the system may pose a challenge for smaller independent restaurants.

Conclusion

The search for more efficient and cost-effective ways of utilizing kitchen fumes has led to the development of Enjay’s Lepido equipment. The technology has demonstrated impressive results, with significant cost savings and a reduction in emissions. While the cost may be a challenge for smaller independent restaurant owners, the adoption of this technology presents an opportunity for many food industries to reduce costs and improve environmental sustainability.