Improvement of Energy Efficiency Associated with an Arepa Production Process

EasyChair Preprint 15870

Abstract

Introduction
An energy audit was conducted at a food company in Medellín to assess energy critical equipment and its impact on production costs. The audit identified opportunities to improve energy efficiency by analyzing consumption and production processes.

Improvements were proposed, leading to increased energy efficiency. A 35% reduction in production cost per unit and a 24% production increase were observed. The results highlight the need for a continuous energy cost control program and process optimization for long-term benefits.

Methodology
The audit followed three phases: evaluating the production process (Figure 1), identifying energy critical operations, and analyzing energy conservation opportunities.

Key operations were identified by comparing observed data with electricity and gas consumption from utility bills. Improvement opportunities were determined by analyzing audit results and comparing them with technical and academic data.

Results
High thermal energy consumption was found in cooking and roasting, with natural gas accounting for 58.59% of total energy costs. During the audit, a process change was noted: new moulds were introduced at the oven inlet to optimize space and improve thermal energy use.

After implementing this improvement, production increased by 24%, while the cost per unit dropped by 35%. Figure 2 illustrates the results, showing an optimal operating point between 42,000 and 44,000 m³/month of natural gas, enabling production of up to 60,000 kg/month of arepas at lower costs. Proper resource management allows increased production without higher consumption.

Keyphrases: Audit, energy efficiency, processes

@booklet{EasyChair:15870,
  author    = {Juan D. Ortega Mesa and Oscar M. Carmona Agudelo and Jorge I. Cortes Pérez and Andrés D. Morales Rojas},
  title     = {Improvement of Energy Efficiency Associated with an Arepa Production Process},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 15870},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2025}}