Integrated, multi-scale and multi-objective design of batch food processing plants. Part 2: Application to a mobile fruit and vegetable processing unit

Abstract

The design of food processing plants that are plug-and-play, reconfigurable, modular, mobile and containerised is a complex task. The "Methodology for the integrated, multi-scale and multi-objective design of systems" can be used to design such systems. This was developed and the various tasks that make it up presented in a previous article by Savoure et al. (2023) (references to be specified). The aim of this study is to assess the potential of this methodology to design a mobile fruit and vegetable processing unit. Firstly, a design support tool was developed to (i) simulate the behaviour and estimate the performances of design solutions, (ii) convert their performances into desirability indices using the decision maker's preferences and (iii) search for the design solution(s) that best satisfy the decision maker's design objectives. The results were then visualised and analysed to ensure that the resulting design solution was a satisfying, feasible and coherent trade-off. This analysis also helped to understand (i) which design variables, models and assumptions drove the design decision the most and (ii) which final products, design objectives, performance indicators and preference models influenced the optimisation process the most. In particular, it showed that one of the products (okra puree) limited the performance of the design solution. Finally, this work increased the level of understanding of the design problem and challenged the preferences of the decision maker.