Análise de viabilidade de inserção de uma torre de resfriamento em uma indústria de conservas no sudoeste do Paraná

Abstract

The growing demand for efficiency in the use of natural resources has driven the adoption of sustainable solutions in the food industry. This study aimed to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of implementing a cooling tower integrated with the pasteurization tunnel in a small-scale canning facility located in Southwest Paraná, Brazil. Currently, the company consumes approximately 76 m³ of water per day, of which around 35 m³ are used exclusively for cooling glass jars during pasteurization. The proposed system involves the installation of a cooling tower with an initial investment of R$ 6,720.00, covering a centrifugal pump and all required components. By reusing approximately 5 m³ of water per day, the system is expected to generate monthly savings of R$ 1,300.20, totaling R$ 15,602.40 annually. The economic analysis indicated a payback period of around five months, highlighting a fast return on investment. Furthermore, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) was estimated at 15.3% per month, equivalent to over 400% annually, reflecting high project profitability. The results demonstrate that implementing a cooling tower is a viable solution, contributing to significant water conservation, operational cost reduction, and the promotion of sustainable practices within the food processing industry.