Exergoeconomic analysis of an industrial beverage mixer system

Abstract

Exergoeconomic analysis is a tool used to identify hidden costs associated with a machine or a system that cannot be identified using typical cost management techniques applied in the industry. While exergoeconomic analysis finds applications in power system innovations and optimization, it has not yet been harnessed by the manufacturing industry to reduce operating costs. The purpose of this study is to use exergoeconomic analysis to identify hidden costs in manufacturing processes, with a focus on the industrial beverage mixer system. The study proposes a methodology of identifying the hidden financial losses in the system and recommends modifying the systems operation and design as a measure to reduce costs and increase profitability. Thermodynamic and economic data for the study were obtained from manufacturing plants. An exergy cost analysis was performed using thermoeconomic analysis software. Exergoeconomic values and variables were obtained using equations based on extant literature. The results reveal that the mixer possesses a low exergoeconomic factor of 5.50% owing to the high irreversibility of the H 2 O reservoir, flow-mix reservoir, and carbonator. The total hidden cost of the system equaled 733.04 $/h, of which 99.0% is contributed by the mixer. Improvements to the deaeration technique for the H 2 O reservoir of the mixer component, as well as the H 2 O treatment procedure, can reduce the irreversibility of the H 2 O reservoir and the hidden costs.

Exergoeconomic analysis of an industrial beverage mixer system: Process data

“…A well-illustrated figure and detailed description of the industrial beverage mixer are presented by Okereke et al. [1] . Primary thermodynamic data such as temperature and pressure of the material streams flowing into the mixer were recorded directly using measurement indicators integrated into or mounted on the pipelines, such as thermometers and pressure gauges, respectively.…”

Theoretical Studies of the Interaction between Screw Surface and Material in the Mixer

“…The need for theoretical modeling of mixing processes results precisely from the operational problems in the machine mixing and the problems related to the material flow itself in contact with the working elements of the mixers, which include, among others: loss of the mobility of the bulk material due to clogging of the dosing channels in the feed supply systems; too high intermolecular friction, which causes the effect of clogging of the material, and consequently leads to material losses or deterioration of the quality of the mixing product, and even energy losses and a decrease in the process efficiency and, thus, an increase in costs [ 9 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, it seems rational to model and search for optimal material, process and construction parameters for the bulk materials mixing processes, taking into account the physical basis of the behavior of these materials in contact with the working surface of the mixing devices.…”