Computer-aided process design using Food Operations Oriented Design System Block Library Original Research Article

The comparison of design alternatives is a common design task for food process engineers. Foods Operations Oriented Design System Block Library (FOODS-LIB©) in conjunction with its economic analysis program (ECONANAL) can be used in this capacity. To demonstrate how FOODS-LIB can be used in a time efficient manner to perform analysis of design alternatives, a case study was conducted in which five alternative processes to manufacture whole milk powder were compared. The design goal was to minimize steam use and maximize 10 yr net present worth.