Design of Small-Scale Milk Processing Facility

Authors

Luke Bond, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Robert Stenzel, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ry Steffen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
John Van Nieuwenhuyse, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rossana Villa-Rojas, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry Howell Jr., University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Tami M. Brown-Brandl, USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research CenterFollow
Forrest Kievit, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Rossana Villa-Rojas

Committee Members

Rossana Villa-Rojas, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Forrest Kievit, Terry Howell

Date of this Version

5-2024

Document Type

Project

Citation

BSEN 480 Final Design Report

This paper was created as a final report for the BSEN 480 class. Dr. Terry Howell served as a client for this project, Dr. Rossana Villa Rojas served as the faculty advisor for this project. Dr. Tami Brown-Brandl and Dr. Forrest Kievit were the instructors for this class.

Comments

Copyright 2024, the authors

Abstract

This project was intended to investigate the feasibility of a proposed modular dairy processing facility collocated with a small dairy on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Innovation Campus. Priority was placed upon cost savings for equipment to be used in processing. Process flow diagrams, floor plans, production schedules, risk assessments, and plans for wastewater treatment were all developed to address the needs of the plant should it be built. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to evaluate the timeline for breaking even financially, resulting in the potential for a payback period of 4.5 years. The 4.5-year payback period was based on simulations that assumed the plant uses some second-hand equipment and marked up the price for milk sold in retail stores.