Introduction

 The performance of a processing plant depends

upon the efficiency with which the material flows
through the plant.
 A process must be so constituted that normal
contingencies such as breakdown, irregular rate
of influx of raw products, and change in
characteristics of raw products will not disrupt
the normal operation. These factors and other of
a similar nature must be considered when
analyzing a process operation.
 A complete processing plant consists of a
number of unit operations or processes arranged
in a certain sequence which may be simple or
complex.
 In designing a new plant or rearranging an
existing plant for more efficient operation,
certain established procedures should be
followed in order to secure the most satisfactory
results.
 Process chart and flow diagram are excellent
tools to use for studying and existing processing
plant when improvements are needed or for
designing a new plant.
 Process Chart
 A process chart is a schematic
presentation of a process, showing the
events which constitute the process, their
order, and certain desired information
concerning each.
 Types of Process Chart
 Operation Process Chart – It is a graphic
presentation of all the events in a process
and their sequence.
– The time required for each event or operation
and the distance between operations may be
include if pertinent.
– Other information may be added if it
contributes to the study.
– The operation process chart iss used for
studying the entire operation.
 Flow Process Chart – It is a graphic presentation
of all the operations and all intermediate events
showing transportations, inspection, storages,
and delays.
– All information needed to meet the analysis objectives
is included.
– The flow process chart may represent the entire
process, but because of the volume of detail it is
generally used for significant parts only.
 Layout Sheet or Layout Diagram – It is a
graphic plot of operation or event
locations showing the direction of flow of
materials and labor.
– It is usually a plan layout to scale showing
space utilization and direction of movement of
materials.
– Elevation and three-dimensional presentations
are frequently used.
 Nomenclature
 Operations [O]– Any activity that alters
the physical or chemical characteristics of
a material or an object, or adds to it in
any way whatsoever
– grinding grains, drying hay, weighing eggs,
freezing meat.
 Transportation[] – any movement of
material from one place to another unless
such movement is an integral part of an
operation
– Milk by pump, refuse by truck, fruit by belt,
box by employee, grain by truck
 Inspection [□]– An examination by an
individual to determine quality or quantity
or to verify conditions
– Determining moisture content of grain,
determining grade of fruit, checking
performance of vegetable washer, noting
temperature of pasteurizer
 Storage []– A desirable interruption of
activity
– Ingredients being held for future use, fruit
being held for optimum market.
 Delay [D]– An undesirable interruption of
activity
– Prunes in tray waiting to be dried, material in
truck waiting to be unloaded, employee
waiting for machine to operate.
 Combine Operation – Where two or more
operations take place simultaneously, the
requisite symbols are combine.
– Cheese in a processing room in both a
storage and an operation, a mixing process
maybe both an operation an a transportation.
 Layout Procedures
 The raw product should come in at one end of
the plant and should emerge in the finished
state at the other end.
 Aisles should be provided for transportation
purposes and should be kept clear at all times.
 Like operations should ne grouped and arranged
in straight lines or orderly rows.
 Ample space for placing materials should be
provided around each operation.

Layout prepare on the basis of these principles were pleasing in appearance, and
will result to orderliness and lack of crowding.
 Principles
 The material from one operation should be
placed in such a position that can be most easily
picked up for the next operation.
 The distance an operator must move to obtain
or deliver material away from a machine should
be reduce to a minimum.
 Time spent by a machine performing an
operation or part of an operation which does not
require the immediate attnetion of the operator
or attendant is idle time as far as the attendant
or operator is concerned.
 References
 Henderson, S.M., and R.L. Perry. 1976.
Agricultural Process Engineering. Third Edition.
The AVI Publishing Company, Inc. WEsport,
Connecticut. 442pp.