Propuesta de una planta piloto para el procesamiento de frutas en la FCP - ESPOCH.

Abstract

The Faculty of Animal Sciences of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH) lacks a fruit processing plant, which hampers the practical learning of students in the Agroindustry career. Therefore, this research aims to develop a pilot plant for fruit processing in the Faculty of Animal Sciences of ESPOCH. The methodology of this research involved designing engineering and management diagrams for processing apples, sweet cucumbers, goldenberry preserves, and other products like red fruit jams from cherry, strawberry, and blackberry. This process also involved calculating the mass balance and selecting the machinery. The Guerchet and SLP methods were essential for the pilot plant's dimensioning, and FlexSim software was necessary for the simulation. Key results included the design of flow diagrams, block diagrams, PFD and P&ID, and mass balances of the products. Using the Guerchet method, a total area of 141.00 m² was calculated. The FlexSim simulation showed operator occupancy ranging from 8% to 30% and machine processing occupancy between 8% and 96%. The proposed pilot plant design is viable, features efficient distribution, complies with safety standards, and meets the ARCSA resolution 2022 016 AKGR requirements.