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Natural Blends Inc

NATURAL BLENDS Inc

Here we have 3 processes to consider, the Extraction, Filtration and Concentration.
Extraction has a maximum capacity of 20,000 lbs/hr
Filtration has a maximum capacity of 20,000 lbs/hr
Concentration has a maximum capacity of 18,000 lbs/hr

For Extraction we have a setup time of 20 minutes.
For Filtration we have a setup time of 30 minutes after 90 minutes of filtration.
For Concentration there is no setup time loss.
The processes are simultaneous in nature, and there is no buffer in between. So, if there is a shutdown of a single process, the entire system shuts down.

Now, if we do consider a 2 hour time slot, then there will be effectively production for 1 and ½ hours due to filtration setup time:
For Extraction: The maximum production is 30,000 lbs.
For Filtration: The maximum production is 30,000 lbs.
For Concentration: The maximum production is 27,000 lbs.

So the bottle neck operation is the Concentration process and the production rate will be 13,500 lbs/hour. A cycle is completed in 2hrs.

PART A
Assumption: We are considering that since oranges are of same type the bin will be changed after 3 and ½ hrs of production. The bin will be changed when the Filtration process will be stopped to change filter. Hence, saving valuable time.
1a. Amount of orange production possible in 1 day (8 Hrs) =13500*8=108000 lbs
There is a loss of utilization time of 30 mins (due to filtration process) per 2 hours of the whole system.

1b.The idle time for the extraction process in a day would be = (1/2)*4= 2 hours
We see that there is a bottle neck condition in the Concentration process, so we will install a storage capacity in between Filtration and Concentration.

2a. We will add storage tank between step 3 and step 4. The capacity of tank will be 3000 lbs.

2b. If we add storage tank between step 2 and step 3, then
The maximum production of Extraction process is 20,000lbs/hr.
The maximum production of Filtration is...