Advanced exergoeconomic analysis of a double effect evaporation process in an instant coffee plant

Abstract

The advanced exergoeconomic analysis performed on different industrial processes is used to determine the avoidable exergy destruction and inversion cost rates in order to increase the rentability and sustainability of a factory. This study focuses on the performance of an advanced exergoeconomic analysis of a double effect evaporation process (DEEP) of coffee extract in a factory located in Ecuador. The avoidable and unavoidable exergy destruction cost rate and the avoidable investment cost rate were determined for each component by exergoeconomic balances using the results from the process simulation with the best operational conditions and with the worst operational conditions. The avoidable exergy destruction cost rate represents 18.3% of the overall exergy destruction cost rate. It was estimated that around 70.3 $/h of the overall operational costs could be saved if the exergetic efficiency of the first double effect evaporator (D-101) and the steam condenser (E-103) increased from 46.3% to 60.7% and 52.3% to 61.6%, respectively. Additionally, an increment of the initial concentration of soluble solids in the extract can reduce the avoidable operational costs by 15%.