A thermal process is being used to reduce the microbial population on product contact surfaces of the packages needed for aseptic packaging of the liquid product. The spoilage microorganism has a D121 5 10 min and a z 5 88C. The microbial population on the surface is 100 per cm2 and the product contact surface area is 8 cm2 for each package. A 9D process has been recommended. a. Determine the process time for the containers at 1408C. b. Estimate the number of containers with spoilage based on survivors on the package surface when 10 million packages have been filled.

An external consultant recommends that a plant installs a bank of capacitors for power factor correction. this will reduce the peak electrical demand charges by an average of 93 kw every month. the plant current pays $13 per kw in peak demand charges. the capacitor bank will include 223 kw of fixed capacitors, and 183 of variable capacitors. the fixed capacitors cost $59 per kw, and the variable capacitors will cost $65 per kw. the consultant charges 21% of the equipment costs to install the capacitors. because this project will reduce the demand for the electric utility, they are prepared to provide a one-time rebate of $42 per kw of reduced demand. what is the simple payback period for this project (in years)?