Variable Speed Drives

The 3 C’s Cash - Control - and Coordination based on the use of variable speed drives in the Citrus Industry is covered in this paper. Proper use of variable speed drives results in more money (CASH) from Energy Savings, Reduced Maintenance cost, and Improved Efficiencies. By regulating the speed of pumps and conveyor belts, less problems from mismatched speeds occur (CONTROL). The timing of the material reaching the correct location through proper speeds of equipment means improved COORDINATION. The various types of variable speed drives and their manufacturers are discussed. The type of drives covered range from simple eddy current, with minimum control features, to electronic AC and DC drives with unlimited control functions. Paper published with permission.

Warehouse Configuration Analysis to Achieve Productivity and Cube Utilization

There are many factors which influence profitability for a Citrus Industry processor. Demand and raw product quality/availability surely are near the top of the list. The process itself gets a lot of attention relative to cost reduction. One area which does not get a lot of attention, however, is warehousing. The warehouse has historically been a “foster child” so to speak. If warehousing continues to be considered a necessary evil, its effect on profitability of total operations will obviously be negative. If warehousing is given some much needed attention, the negative effect can be minimized and, in fact, can even help improve profitability. An example might demonstrate this claim: A processing plant is relatively land-locked and needs to expand to meet plan goals. Thirty (30) to forty (40) percent of existing plant area is utilized for warehousing. In many cases, productivity in these existing warehouses is poor, maintenance costs are higher than they might be, and cube utilization can be poor. A land-locked plant which must expand suggests big capital costs or debt service for additional land and buildings. Why not zero in on the relatively unproductive utilization of 30 to 40 percent of existing space. If we can improve cube utilization alone, we might free up enough space to accommodate process expansion on the site. If we can do this with a corresponding productivity increase, we effectively lower operating cost and capital cost or debt service. In the profit equation, lower cost means higher profits. Product is stored as concentrate in tank farms, as concentrate in drums, in totes in some cases, as frozen single-strength slabs or in the many finished package configurations. There is not much we can do about improving tank farm space utilization, so we will concentrate on storage of unit loads (drums, frozen single-strength slabs or palletized finished unit loads). Given the time we have to address the topic, we will zero in on drum storage. The principles discussed can be applied on any unit load configuration. To adequately address warehouse optimization, product storage configuration and method of operation must be evaluated. These two (2) variables cannot be independently developed. To a degree, each is affected by changes in the other. SORA has developed a systematic approach to the analysis of warehousing operations that recognizes this interrelationship. This analysis in general consists of a series of proprietary computer programs and algorithms that are individually customized to suit the particular needs of a client while at the same time maintaining the inter-linked relationship. This methodology is further explained and the date collection requirements are defined in this paper. An example is provided which demonstrates the results of proper analysis and provides sufficient budgetary and “rule-of-thumb” data for implementation of preliminary analysis of your own needs. Paper published with permission.

A Review of Citrus Harvesting in Florida

The removal of Florida citrus from the tree for harvesting is still done by handpickers on ladders and requires a work force of 20,000 to 35,000 persons. Moving fruit from the grove and subsequent fruit handling has been mechanized in the last 40 years. Factors affecting harvesting are fruit type and utilization, grove characteristics, and harvest labor requirements and costs. Although mechanical harvesting research over the past 35 years has not developed a feasible machine to replace the picker, substantial design and field performance information has been developed to mechanize the harvest of a significant portion of the crop if labor becomes unavailable or too costly. Some picking aids have been implemented to increase the productivity of pickers, but their feasibility is questionable under current conditions. Renewed attempts have been made to mechanize the harvest since 1993. A harvesting program administrator was employed by the Florida Department of Citrus in January 1995 to develop a program which will insure the harvest of future crops at a competitive cost, Record crops, low fruit prices, steadily increasing harvest costs, and more regulations are predicted for the next decade. Paper published with permission.

Short Time Reaction System for Improved Citrus Peel Processing

A new concept for citrus residues reaction is presented and compared to the screw type and to the tank reaction systems. Comments on Cutrale’s pathways to reach this simplified technology will be addressed. Emphasis will be given on the advantages of this concept and on the new development opportunities for optimizing the operations in dried citrus peel manufacturing. Paper published with permission.

Deregulation in the Electric Power Industry

The Electric Power Industry has begun an unprecedented transformation caused by changes in regulation, generation and utilization technology. These changes will forever change the way consumers purchase electricity. The Electric Power industry is the most capital intensive industry in the world. As such, it has also traditionally been the most regulated industry. Pricing and regulatory pressures have begun a process that will dissect the industry and greatly complicate the relationship between the electric supplier and the electric user. This paper will endeavor to outline how we got here and where the industry is moving with these changes. Paper published with permission.

Latest Developments in Pressing Citrus Peel

A newcomer to the citrus industry can find papers and speeches of earlier decades that deal with pressing citrus peel. Many of these, including some by Vincent Corporation, speak of 60% and 62% press cake moisture. Yet, in practice, this was not being achieved on any consistent basis until relatively recently. Paper published with permission.