ABSTRACT
Food process simulation is a powerful tool for sustainable food manufacturing. A process model can be used to design (in the preliminary and/or detailed phase) an integrated food production or food waste valorization system, estimate the type and amount of resources needed to produce the required amount of final products, evaluate the economic feasibility and assess the environmental impact of the process, as well as plan and schedule production for an operating plant.
This chapter discusses the challenges, opportunities and benefits of food process simulation with the help of SuperPro Designer, a process simulator which is able to model procedures and equipment found in food and food-related industries operating in various production modes (batch, continuous, semi-continuous). Two case studies are used to illustrate different aspects of techno-economic modelling with special emphasis given to food waste valorization processes in the context of sustainable manufacturing.
