Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Michael Langemeier / This thesis examines flour moisture control and how this control can be an effective
tool for cost minimization in a flour mill. Specifically, this thesis discusses the economic
rationale behind the value of moisture control, the variables associated with moisture
control, options for controlling those variables, the current control strategies, the decision
process used to examine moisture control options, analysis of the solution, and
implementation of optimal control strategies.
In the area of optimal control strategies, two outcomes were generated in the thesis.
The first outcome involved collecting data and developing a better understanding of the
factors impacting flour moistures. The second outcome was to create a spreadsheet tool for
use in the flour mill that would allow operators to determine an optimal water set point that
would bring about a desired flour moisture taking into consideration the variables effecting
flour moisture and their status at a given time. Both outcomes have been met and are
outlined in detail in the thesis.
It is understood that the conclusions of this thesis do not represent an end to the
flour moisture control challenge and that more research is needed in order to implement
further control measures. Work that remains to be done in order to achieve even better
moisture control is also outlined in this thesis.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:KSU/oai:krex.k-state.edu:2097/11973 |
| Date | January 1900 |
| Creators | Bontrager, Chad |
| Publisher | Kansas State University |
| Source Sets | K-State Research Exchange |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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