Propuesta de una planta piloto para el procesamiento de subproductos de frutas y hortalizas en la FCP – Espoch

Abstract

The Faculty of Animal Sciences at the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH) lacks a processing plant for fruit and vegetable by-products. This fact limits both theoretical and practical learning in the agro-industrial program. Consequently, this research aimed to propose a pilot plant for the Faculty of Animal Sciences at ESPOCH. The methodology involved selecting equipment and machinery and designing processes to produce fine powder, tea, and snacks. Also, creating process diagrams, mass balances, and sizing equipment and facilities. Another step in this study involved planning the layout and modeling the proposed design using FlexSim. The results included the development of management diagrams such as flowcharts, engineering diagrams like PFD and P&ID block diagrams, and mass balances for the proposed products. After analyzing the necessities, thirteen machines were essential for the pilot plant, with a total area of 140.58 m². The plant layout was carried out using the SLP method, indicating that station AB requires a vital connection and station BC a particularly necessary connection, from which 3D plans were generated. The FlexSim simulation showed the occupation of operators and machinery, and the estimated reference costs for machinery and infrastructure were $64,865.20.