Diseño de una planta de alimentos balanceados para bovinos y porcinos en el cantón Alausi

Abstract

This research aimed to design a balanced feed plant for cattle and pigs in the Alausí canton. The research was conducted in four phases. The first phase involved a market study of the livestock farmers in the area and its surroundings, applying surveys to 371 male and female individuals through email and interviews, revealing an unmet demand of 3221 kg. The second phase consisted of engineering diagrams, such as Block Diagrams, Process Flow Diagrams (PFD), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (PI&D), Flowcharts, and Operation Diagrams. These diagrams encompassed nine stages, from raw materials reception to the storage of the finished product. Additionally, a mass balance was performed, resulting in a total input and output of 3321.43 kg/h, with compositions of 63% corn, 13.5% soybean, 15% wheat bran, 2% palm oil, 4% molasses, 0.5% lysine, 1% prox mineral, 0.75% antifungal, and 0.25% vitamins. The third phase focused on the localization and distribution processes of the plant, using the Brown-Gibson method and Systematic Layout Planning (SLP), respectively. The fourth phase involved an economic-financial analysis, yielding a Net Present Value (NPV) of $130,463.67, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 21.44%, and a Benefit-Cost Ratio (B/C) of 1.03, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of the design. To conclude, the ideal location for the design of the balanced feed processing plant for cattle and pigs in the Alausí canton is the Pueblo Viejo community, offering the most suitable values and factors in terms of costs, raw materials, transportation, climate, and market conditions, among others. Finally, it is recommended to implement this plant design over time, as it will significantly benefit the livestock farmers of the canton and its surroundings, making a substantial impact on the sector.