Optimizing the Cost-Effectiveness of an Industrial Natural Gas Cogeneration Facility in a Regulated Electric Utility Environment

Since Congress enacted the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) in 1978, the electric utility industry has experienced many significant changes — legal, structural and technical. For purposes of this discussion, one of the more important changes that resulted was the installation of substantial electric generating capacity via “cogeneration” at industrial facilities nationwide. PURPA defined, and created by law, entities known as “qualifying facilities” or “QFs”, and established a framework in which they were allowed to compete with utilities in both the wholesale electric market (by sales for resale) and retail electric markets (by self-generation). The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct92) took PURPA one step further, allow additional entities — such as Exempt Wholesale Generators (EWG), marketers and brokers — to participate in the wholesale electric markets, forever changing the once monopolistic structure of the electric industry. Importantly, from a legal, structural and technical standpoint, QFs continue to enjoy advantages over other generators - both utility and non-utility. The legal and structural framework continue to favor QFs and technically, the equipment available for cogeneration facilities is significantly more efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly than in the past. Cogeneration can be a very cost-effective option for large energy users, providing in many instances the only alternative to purchasing electricity from the monopoly utility. Paper published with permission.

Flow and Heat Transfer Through Helix Tubular Coils Theory and Practice for Pasteurization and Sterilization and Potential for the Citrus Industry

Pathogens are becoming more important than they have in the past. This is due to many factors, including the critical segments of the population (young, elderly, pregnant women, and individuals without natural immunity) now make-up 25% of the population. Analytical techniques are refined so that illnesses and their sources can be identified. Obviously, in the past, many sick people either were not treated and it was not proven why they were sick, or, they passed away and their death was termed “due to natural causes.” Also, the types of organisms that cause food-borne diseases of one type or another have increased over the years. At one time, organisms such as E. coli were simply an indicator of unsanitary conditions or fecal material. Now small numbers of certain strains of E. coli can cause severe illnesses and death. Paper published with permission.

Continuing Education for Practicing Engineers

The professional engineer of the 21st century must have a holistic view of his/her world, and recognize that continuing education is vital for maintenance of professional competitiveness.. Engineering education has generally responded to workforce technology needs which have traditionally changed rather slowly. Today’s professional engineer must be prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex physical, legal, technical, and social climate with which he/she is confronted. Accordingly, today’s engineering education system is structured to prepare graduates for life-long learning, by placing greater emphasis on the learning process. In the 21st century, workforce technology and demands are changing at an extremely rapid pace, and in order to remain current, the modern engineering professional must adapt to those rapid changes. Within this environment, expertise in a single discipline or technology is no longer considered adequate for the professional engineer, since he/she must be comfortable working in multi-disciplinary teams, be capable of integrating a broad range of knowledge, and working across intellectual boundaries. The modern engineer must understand the global marketplace and its working environment, and in so doing develop an international perspective, and be prepared for participation in international projects. He/she must appreciate the issues relating to sustainability, and design accordingly to address the concerns. The engineer is expected to maintain a broad perspective, and be prepared to adjust to the rapid, dynamic changes which are encountered. This paper identifies some of the reasons for the pursuit of continuing education, and reviews options which are available to the practicing engineer in Florida, with particular emphasis on opportunities offered by the University of Florida. Paper published with permission.

The Impact of Brown Oil Recovery Systems on VOC and Wastewater Generation

The Florida citrus industry has been through a major change in environmental laws during the 1990’s. Current laws dictate that processors must remove 50% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from incoming fruit by October 2002, and 65% VOC removal pending EPA approval. In addition, processors are more aware of the impact wastewater generation has on the total cost of processing in terms of monies for treatment facilities and monies for permitting. An optimum oil recovery system is one that both reduces production of VOCs and minimizes wastewater generation. Brown oil extractor (BOE) systems have been shown to reduce the amount of peel oil destined for the feedmill while maintaining good control of fresh water use and limiting waste water effluent. The purpose of this paper is to provide data to the audience about the BOE’s ability to regulate processor’s feedmill VOC production with minimal impact to wastewater generation. Paper published with permission.

Pre-Extraction De-Oiling of Citrus Fruit by Roller Technology

Two seasons of testing have been done with pre-extraction abrasive roller technology to reduce the amount of peel oil in orange juice. The first season was done with a pilot scale unit (20 Tons / Hour). The following season a commercial scale unit (80 Tons / Hour) was tested in the field. Use of the equipment has allowed the processor to use high yield components at equal or better juice quality than standard extraction components. Additional advantages are seen in oil quality and VOC reduction. Paper published with permission.

Field Testing Improves Citrus Plant Biological Treatment

Wastewater from citrus processing contains high levels of sugars, suspended solids, and caustic cleaning agents. Biological treatment is the only economical process for removing and neutralizing all of these contaminants, and the activated sludge process is the workhorse of the biological treatment stable. The biological treatment system must produce a treated effluent of the highest quality, regardless of the wild variation in flow and composition of the influent. Problems in the treatment process can almost always be traced to either a wastewater loading that is higher than the system can tolerate, or a failure to maintain and operate the treatment system to realize its treatment potential. A thorough review of the operational and loading characteristics of the system will determine whether excessive loading or inadequate treatment system is responsible for the system failure. When the problem has been identified, it can be resolved in one of three ways: □ A new treatment system of greater capacity can be installed to replace the inadequate system. □ The wastewater loading, hydraulic and organic, can be reduced through changes in fruit processing practices. □ Changes in the existing treatment system (equipment or operational) can be identified to increase its capacity. Paper published with permission.