Economic Assessment for Cold Sterilization and Clarification of Pineapple Juice and Coconut Water using Microfiltration

This study aims to assess the economical feasibility for production of sterilized/clarified pineapple juice and coconut water using cross flow microfiltration (MF). The data for microfiltration plant design is based on the experimental results from our previous studies. The capacity of processing plant for the juice production is assumed to be 20,000 L/day for each juice. The 0.2 μm and 0.1 μm hollow fiber membranes are used for producing clarified/sterilized pineapple juice and coconut water respectively. The investment cost and the operating cost under various operating conditions are summarized. The operating condition is found to be a major factor influencing capital cost as well as operation cost. The economic assessment is accomplished for production of 5,000 m3/year, yielding an interest rate of return of 38.3-53.6 % and payback period of 1.9-2.6 years for pineapple juice while the yielding an interest rate of return of 19.2-23.2% and payback period of 3.9-4.4 years for coconut water depending on operating conditions.