• Researched and wrote a paper on HFCS about how it is manufactured in processing facilities.
• Characterized how HFCS is manufactured via a flow diagram, gave a capital cost estimate of how much it costs to produce the sweetener, and evaluated a company that manufactures the sugar, American Crystal Sugar Company.
Call Us -/9953056974- Call Girls In Vikaspuri-/- Delhi NCR
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Process Plant Project
1. Assignment #1 – CHE 432 – Fall 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 i
Student Name: Alfonso Figueroa Team: F3 Assessment Symbol/Color ¢ Date 9/1/15 _____
Instr/Grader Evaluated by Assessment Symbol/Color Date ___________
Yes No Self-Regulation Issues (to be completed by Instructor/Grader)
A. The online version was submitted on time
B. This fully completed checklist is at the front of the submission (not the assignment description, no
cover memo, no blank pages)
C. Essentially all Format Requirements were met (see AssignmentFormatting.doc) – only minor errors
Yes No Required Items
¢ 1. The work meets professional and ethical standards
¢ 2. All quoted and non-original work is properly cited
¢ 3. There is a Pre-Reflection written in the first person
¢ 4. There is a Post-Reflection written in the first person
¢ 5. Writing is in paragraphs,with an appropriate level of context
¢ 6. Page limits are met
7. Each Assigned Task is complete;all questions are answered:
¢ Task 1 – explicit product identification
¢ Task 2, parts a-e – product background;all required information
¢ Task 3 – flow diagram,with all required elements from task description
¢ Task 4 – environmental/sustainability issue(s) identified and discussed
¢ Task 5 – safety issue(s) identified and discussed
¢ Task 6 , parts a-c – all cost items presented
Comments on the quality of the expectedfeatures and/or how they might be improved.
Rating*
0 - 5
Rated Features: Rate the Quality of each of these Features:
0 = Missing; 1 or 2 = Weak, 3 = OK/Good, 4 = Superior, 5 = Clearly outstanding
5 8. Rate the overall presentation quality ofthe work (I.e., rate the neatness,organization, reference to
sources,useful annotation,quality and professionalismof plots,tables, and figures)
Everything is in proper formatting, highly organized, and really neat.
2. Assignment #1 – CHE 432 – Fall 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 ii
Rating*
0 - 5
Rated Features: Rate the Quality of each of these Features:
0 = Missing; 1 or 2 = Weak, 3 = OK/Good, 4 = Superior, 5 = Clearly outstanding
5 9. Rate overall writing quality of this assignment (The writing is in sentences and paragraphs; it is clear
and professional; the writing flows smoothly and is more than just a collection of facts. The parts work
together.)
The writing is in proper paragraph structuring and everything flows smoothly. Writing was checked at ASU
writing center so any mistakes made were corrected.
5 10. Rate the quality of the technical work for Task 2 (The work is correct, relevant, has appropriate context,
and uses reasonable sources.)
All information is properly sourced and all questions are answered to their fullest capacity. A full page of
information was given for this task given the reader plenty to learn from.
5 11. Rate the quality of the technical work for Task 3 (There is an appropriate flowsheet that is readable and
well-presented; all required information is included, and the flowsheet contains at least one reactor
included.)
The flow diagram is black & white, units are labeled, chemicals used are shown,and flow rates are labeled.
The flow diagram was described in writing accurately and sourced appropriately. The description came out
to half a page describing every single process and the units in them to the fullest of detail.
5 12. Rate the quality of the technical work for Tasks 4 and 5 (The work is correct, relevant, has appropriate
context, uses reasonable sources,and brief discussion is included.)
All the questions were answered with correct information and sources were cited properly. For both tasks,
there is a page worth of reading material so the user can get a well-rounded idea of the concept.
5 13. Rate the quality of the technical work for Task 6 (All required information is included; appropriate
sources were used; and brief discussion is included.)
All questions were answered properly and sources used were cited properly. A page worth of material is
written so anyone engaged in the work gets to learn a lot of new content.
5 14. Rate the quality of the project’s pre-and post-reflections. (Rate the demonstrated depth of self-analysis,
and the appropriate use of guideline questions)
A full page for both the pre-reflection and post-reflection answering all the questions asked from the
assignment guidelines. I express how I felt about the paper and even wrote about how I can better improve
in future assignments.
3. Assignment #1 – CHE 432 – Fall 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 iii
Extra Credit*
Yes Describe the features of your work that you believe qualify for “Extra Credit”
1.
2.
3.
Results of Initial Assessment (to be completedby Instructor/Grader)
If substantially incomplete, grade is 0; if any requirements not met or average of Rated features less than 2.5,
grade is 50; otherwise, Grade = average of Rated Features + Extra Credit
4. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 1
Pre-Reflection
It’s the start of a brand new semester with none other than Professor Burrows. To get
back into the hard working study zone, the very first assignment for Chemical Engineering
Design has been initiated. Actually, it was assigned a day before class had even officially started,
giving a better idea on the type of workload that is going to be dealt with this semester. Since
college started on a Thursday though, I felt it be best to start next week so I can enjoy my little
bit of lasting freedom that I had.
Goals that I have for this assignment is to get a better understanding of a product that is
manufactured in industry. In doing this paper, I will have to recall on past chemical engineering
classes so I can comprehend the synthesizing processes. A particular chemical engineering class
that I will look back on is Chemical Engineering Lab I because I can look back on how I
formatted past assignments, so I can freshen up on the style.
Skills that I plan on using for this report are to be similar to the ones I used in Chemical
Engineering Lab I. Firstly, I am going to use my robust researching ability to assist in obtaining
the information required for this project. Secondly, I am going to use my dexterity in drawing out
the flow diagrams on Microsoft Paint. Lastly, I am going to have my work checked by fellow
colleagues, professor Burrows, and from the writing center.
The last skill mentioned is very important in my eyes since my writing structure,
punctuations, formatting, and grammar can be a little unprofessional at times. Seeking out help
from others and using ASU writing resources will surely make me feel more comfortable
knowing that I have back up on hand. I did, though, take English 102 this summer so I can have
a better understanding on how to write properly. This gives me more confidence knowing that I
am slowly and steadily improving on my writing, eventually turning it into a strength than a
weakness.
The work that I will be putting myself through for this writing assignment should
improve my abilities in different areas. A part that I will be able to expand on and freshen up on
is my formatting and organizational abilities. This skill will also show up on my paper giving it a
clean and specialized feel to it. With this in mind, the proficiency can then be used in the farther
future when working on projects for companies.
I sense that this project will also aid in getting an initial idea of what this class will be all
about. This assignment may not get me into understanding about economic viability, minimizing
work in uneconomical designs, or working in a team environment, but it can in other areas.
These include determining equipment needed, cost for equipment, and creating flow figures.
This paper will also get me back into my hard working zone once again for the rest of the
duration this semester.
5. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 2
Introduction
For this project I will be researching the product high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and
how it is produced in the chemical processing industry. Research will be done HFCS itself
including the molecular structure, chemical properties, and physical properties. This can help in
giving a better understanding of how HFCS is transported throughout manufacturing facilities,
such as if it’s moved around as a solid or a liquid. Other substances are taken into consideration
as well and in how they are used in the production of HFCS. The product will also be
acknowledged in the different foods it is used in.
These basic ideas about HFCS and the other chemicals used to create HFCS can help in
understanding diagrams. The diagram used to help show the manufacturing of HFCS is none
other than a flow diagram. In this pictorial, it shows all the production units that are necessary
for the creation of the product HFCS. This is useful in determining different processing steps that
occur throughout the unique units. It also can help in showing where certain chemicals are placed
in certain machines as well as what is being fed in and being exited.
Once the desired HFCS is gained from a processing facility, questioning concerns rise
amongst from the population of the product. A concern that arises is that if the product is
environmentally and/or sustainably friendly and if not, has to be addressed. The same thing can
be said as well about if the product is safe for consumers. These issues can determine the
outcome of the product itself in it gaining attention from the populous.
When the product starts to see a good demand from consumers, the capital costs of the
product and process itself have to be evaluated. The FOB (acronym will be explained later in
paper) of different manufacturing units have to be acknowledged so a reasonable price can be
reached when building a processing plant. The price of the product once manufactured has to
have a reasonable selling price per pound so consumers and companies get a great deal. The last
thing to be recognized are the price of the chemicals per pound so during production, the least
amount of money is put into it. All these different factors in producing a product all have to be
taken as a whole so everything runs smoothly in the long run.
6. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 3
High Fructose Corn Syrup Industry
Before a product can start being manufactured in humongous plants, the basics of the
chemical itself have to be understood down to a science. HFCS is a sweetener produced from
corn starch composed of both glucose and fructose which are similar to that of table sugar.1
Some of its physical properties are that it is an odorless, light clear yellow liquid at room
temperature. Chemical properties for HFCS are that it has a pH of 3, boiling point of 110 ˚C,
bulk density of 1.35 g/cm3, and a high solubility in cold water.2
Figure 1: molecular representation of glucose, fructose, and sucrose3
HFCS is used in the food industry as a replacement to table sugar in a wide variety of
food products. These different food products include candy, jelly, baked goods, dairy products,
soft drinks and confections. Each food product, though, uses different concentrated HFCS based
on how much fructose is present. HFCS 55% fructose is used for soda manufacturing because of
its close resemblance in sweetness to the table sugar sucrose. There is also a HFCS 90% fructose
that is so sweet that it can be used as a low calorie sweetener for some specialized food
products.4
In the manufacturing of HFCS, there are a number of materials that are used to create the
sugary substance. The starting ingredient is the corn itself supplied by the giant manufacturer,
Cargill, which it produces from the farmlands of the U.S.A.5 Different chemicals and enzymes
are obligatory to the making of the HFCS because they breakdown the corn starch into its
glucose and fructose counterparts.6
One of the chemicals used to generate HFCS is caustic soda which is produced by the
industry leader, DOW, in which it is produced by the electrolysis of water and sodium chloride.
DOW produces much of its caustic soda from three different continental regions including North
America, South America, and Europe.7 The other chemical that is used in the process is
7. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 4
hydrochloric acid provided by industry leading chemical producer, Continental Chemical USA.
The acid is manufactured in the U.S.A. and is the nation’s reliable chemical company for
synthesizing hydrochloric acid.8
There are several enzymes necessary to the creation of HFCS that go par in par with the
chemicals. One of the enzymes used is alpha-amylase provided by the world class company,
Verenium, where the biomolecule is found on the ocean’s floor.9 Another enzyme required is
glucoamylase provided by, yet again, Verenium, where the organic material is strained from
Aspergillus niger.10 The last enzyme mandatory is glucose isomerase provided by Cape Food
Ingredients, where the enzyme is gathered up from Africa.11
A company that is a huge manufacturer of HFCS is the American Crystal Sugar
Company (ACSC). The corporation ASCS is originally a sugar beet production facility looking
to expand in the sugar business. What they came upon was the newly booming HFCS industry
seeing that it can help the company expand more financially. ACSC decided to do a joint venture
company with several other brands to invest in a $260 million wet corn milling plant. The
facility is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota, where it is able to grind over 25 million bushels of
corn every year. This led to a tremendous amount of HFCS being manufactured as well as some
by-products.12
HFCS is used in a monumental amount of different foods which makes it a commodity
chemical for its wide applications. With its broad usage in food products, it comes out as one of
the top sweeteners in production in the U.S.A. In 2010, there were 7,555 short tons of HFCS
produced just that year alone. Compared to the other sugars manufactures that year, HFCS
ranked at 37.1% of the total amount of sugar produced. It came out at second place in the ranking
just right behind table sugar at 50% of the total sugar processed that year.13
8. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.5
Process of High Fructose Corn Syrup
Figure 2: flow diagram of a HFCS – 42 wet milling process14
In the following figure lies how one of the sugars, HFCS 42% fructose, is processed via a
wet milling process. Raw corn starch starts out as the feed for this facility as it heads into a
process entitled Hydrolysis. This is a two-step procedure and the feed first goes through a
Hydrothermal Liquefaction Reactor. It is filled with HCL or NaOH and alpha-amylase so it can
break down the lengthy singularly chained starch molecules down to oligosaccharides and
glucose. The second step is to then transport the product into a Saccharification Membrane
Reactor. In it, there is HCL or NaOH and glucoamylase so any remaining oligosaccharides can
be hydrolyzed into glucose.15
After the product exits out of the Hydrolysis process, it is then guided through the
Purification process. In this process, the glucose goes through four different units including a
Precoat Filtration System, Carbon Refining Machine, Ion Exchange Machine, and Light
Evaporation Tower. After going through the process, the product eliminates unnecessary flavor
or color, gross atoms, and charged ionic molecules. A new product ends up being formed
through this process termed dextrose glucose. The organic molecules end up in a Storage Tank
until it gets set off into the next contraption.15
9. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.6
In the next step, the dextrose glucose is now inserted into an Isomerization Reactor
containing glucose isomerase. In this process, the dextrose glucose can be partially converted
into its counterpart, fructose, by the enzyme. The product then goes through a similar
Purification process but excluding the unit, Precoat Filtration System. The cleaned product then
is kept into a Cooling & Storage Tank. The final product, HFCS 42% fructose, can then be
extracted from the tank for further future use.15
10. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.7
High Fructose Corn Syrup and the Environment
HFCS is more famously recognized as being an unhealthy product by the general public
with how it is one of the main ingredients in the causation of obesity. This is one of the main
reasons why it should be ignored all together, but there is also another reason that is not as
widely known. It is in fact actually an environmental issue as well in it being un-eco-friendly to
the planet. There are many environmental issues caused by the manufacturing of HFCS that can
come up as a surprise since it is only just a plant after all.
The first encounter of an environmental upset from the product of HFCS is its main
ingredient, corn. In the growing of corn, it is considered monoculture which means that it is the
only plant being grown over and over again in the field. Since there is no circulation of other
plant foods being grown in the same field means that the soil loses its nutrients over time. This
then ends up requiring more use of pesticides and fertilizer in then causing the weakening of the
topsoil.
With all the contaminated fertilizer used for the crops, it is all usually dumped into a
nearby river or water hole. This causes a depletion of oxygen making it hard for aquatic life to
survive for long in their new hazardous habitat. An example of this event happens with the
Mississippi river where the Corn Belt adjacent to the river dumps fertilizer into it. The river then
transports it all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico in where a massive dead zone the size of
New Jersey lies.
A second reason it is an atrocity to the planet is that HFCS demands a high amount of
energy. Since HFCS has to be processed via corn milling means that it is always sucking up lots
of energy in an un-conservative way. Research has been done though that shows how corn can
be grown more efficiently. All that has to be done is to have the corn be grown organically and
with that, 33% of the total energy used can be saved.
To help in protecting the environment, some simple advice can guide you in making
sustainably righteous food purchasing decisions. Avoid processed foods as much as you can, you
think that HFCS is only in sodas and candies, but it is also in normal looking foods like bread
and ketchup so, keep a wary eye. Next, try replacing the sweetener with eco-friendly sugars like
organic honey, real maple syrup, and/or agave nectar, of course though, try buying locally if
that’s possible too. In taking these simple steps into consideration, it can benefit your health, and
the world as well.16
11. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.8
High Fructose Syrup and Safety
With HFCS having a devastating impact on the environment, it also is a safety hazard
onto ones health as well. It is known that it can increase the chance of diabetes in individuals but
that is not the focus for this section of writing. In fact, there is actually a more dangerous aspect
of HFCS that is very little known of. This unsafe ingredient in HFCS is no other than the toxic
element, Mercury.
How HFCS is being tainted with mercury is because of another chemical that is used to
produce the product. This chemical is caustic soda and how it is mainly manufactured is by
having the salts go through large tanks of mercury. When the caustic soda is then used for the
manufacturing of HFCS, the mercury then contaminates it. The type of mercury that the product
is being contaminated with though, is what determines how poisonous the HFCS is.
There are three types of mercury substrates that can be in foods, these include:
monoatomic mercury, inorganic mercury, and organic mercury. The monoatomic mercury is the
least harmful to the human body since only about a tenth of the mercury is absorbed. The
inorganic mercury is more hurtful than the monoatomic mercury since it is more readily
absorbed. The organic mercury is the most dangerous of them all since it can be easily absorbed
throughout the entire body causing hurt to the nervous system and brain.
After multiple testing’s of foods that contain HFCS from different labs, it is considered
that there is organic mercury in HFCS. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr.
David Wallinga had this to say, “We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S.
Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food
supply."18 Because of this, congress has proposed a bill that makes it mandatory for facilities to
account of how much mercury is being used. If this bill passes, everyone especially children and
pregnant women who consume HFCS, will not be in harm’s way of being poisoned by mercury.
17
12. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.9
High Fructose Corn Syrup and the Economy
Multiple processing units are used in the production of the desired product HFCS, and
some are to be evaluated to get an idea of how much their prices can range from. To get this
price range, a capital cost estimate has to be made on the Free On Board (FOB). What this
represents is when the buyer takes up full responsibility of the equipment bought from the seller
at a specific transaction. The FOB takes in not only the cost of the machinery purchased, but also
the shipping costs as well.19
One of the units that will be looked upon is an ion exchange machine or to be more exact,
an ion exchanger column for fruit sugar. This unit is used for all different kinds of materials
including medicine, dyes, textile, and of course, food. Its purpose is to decrease the amount of
ions in the substance so the water can be softened. With all the features on this piece of
equipment, the FOB ranges from $5,000 to $20,000.20
Another one of the manufacturing units used is a precoat filtration system, or from a
company’s version, a MKPF-33 Precoating Vacuum Drum Filter. This machine can be used for
an array of different substances including pharmaceuticals, chemical waste, food, and of course,
liquid sweeteners. The purpose it serves is to remove residue from different materials by a
vacuum suction. To acquire the features on this unit, the FOB is to have a price range from
$5,000 to $35,000.21
The units used are important needless to say, but it all comes down to what the selling
price of the product will result in the profit. With sweeteners in high demand, it is most logical
for companies to pick the sugar that costs the less. With this in mind, HFCS ends up being a
more reasonable choice where price values of HFCS-55 come out at ¢ 21.875per pound in 2008.
Compare this with HFCS-42, and the price per pound goes down a whole ¢ 3 maximizing
company profits.22
In the manufacturing of HFCS, other chemicals and enzymes are required and come at a
price as well. One of the chemicals used for the production of HFCS is HCL used in different
units including the Saccharification Membrane Reactor. The price for this necessary chemical
can come out at around $0.07 per pound. Another chemical that is used is NaOH where it is used
in different machines including a Hydrothermal Liquefaction Reactor. For this chemical, the
price for NaOH can come out at about $0.20 per pound.23
13. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.10
References
[1] “Fast Facts about High-Fructose Corn Syrup,” foodinsight.
http://www.foodinsight.org/Content/3862/HFCS%20FACT%20SHEET%20-
%20FINAL.pdf (accessed Aug 25, 2015)
[2] “High Fructose Corn Syrup MSDS,” foodchemadditives.
http://www.foodchemadditives.com/msds/1183 (accessed Aug 25, 2015)
[3] “Why High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is not the same as Table Sugar,” HubPages.
http://daughterson.hubpages.com/hub/High-fructose-corn-syrup-HFCS-bad-for-kids
(accessed Aug 25, 2015)
[4] Staff. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Wiley-Interscience
Publication: Hoboken, N.J, 2004. Print.
[5] “Cargill Corn Milling North America,” Cargill.
http://www.cargill.com/company/businesses/cargill-corn-milling-na/
(Accessed Aug 25, 2015)
[6] Parker, Kay. Salas, Michelle. Nwosu, Veronica C. “High fructose corn syrup:
Production, uses and public health concerns,” academicjournals.
http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380113250_Parker%20et%20al.pdf
(accessed Aug 25, 2015)
[7] “Caustic Soda,” DOW. http://www.dow.com/causticsoda/ (accessed Aug 25, 2015)
[8] “Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Chemicals – Hydrochloric Acid,” Continental
Chemical USA. http://continentalchemicalusa.com/oil-gas-exploration-production
/hydrochloric-acid/ (accessed Aug 25, 2015)
[9] “FUELZYME® Alpha-Amylase,” Verenium.
http://www.verenium.com/products_fuelzyme.html (accessed Aug 26, 2015)
[10] “DELTAZYM® GA L-E5 Glucoamylase,” Verenium.
http://www.verenium.com/prod_deltazym.html (accessed Aug 26, 2015)
[11] “Cape Food Ingredients,” The Buyer’s Guide. http://thebuyersguide.co.za/supplier/cape-
food-ingredients#supplier-details-tab (accessed Aug 26, 2015)
[12] Michael Boland, Kansas State University; and Arthur Capper, Kansas State University,
editors, “American Crystal Sugar Company: Diversification in the Corn Sweetener
Industry,” AGMRC. http://www.agmrc.org/media/cms/ksusugar_835D3EC13449E.pdf
(Manhattan, Kansas: Kansas State University, 2002)
14. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.11
[13] Korves, Ross. “High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) in the U.S. Caloric Sweetener
Supply,” cornnaturally. http://www.cornnaturally.com/pdf/hfcs-in-the-us.pdf
(accessed August 26, 2015)
[14] J.R. Porter, University of Iowa, “Micro-organisms as tools for rural processing of
organic residues,” The United Nations University. http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-
00000-00---off-0ccgi--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-
about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-00&cl=CL1.1&d=HASH59780f7250ac2
edfcf14b3.5>=2 (accessed August 27, 2015)
[15] Rippe, James M. Fructose, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sucrose and Health, Springer
Science & Business Media: New York, N.Y, 2014. Print.
[16] Hartman, Eviana. “High-Fructose Corn Syrup: Not So Sweet for the Planet,” The
Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/0
3/06/AR2008030603294.html (accessed August 28, 2015)
[17] Wenner, Melinda. “Corn Syrup's Mercury Surprise,” Mother Jones.
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2009/07/corn-syrups-mercury-surprise
(accessed August 29, 2015)
[18] “Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury,” The Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR200901260
1831.html (accessed August 29, 2015)
[19] “WHAT DOES F.O.B. MEAN? (PART 1),” TransportationInsight.
http://www.transportationinsight.com/blog/2012/06/f-o-b-mean/
(accessed August 31, 2015)
[20] “Ion exchanger column for fruit sugar,” Alibaba. http://www.alibaba.com/product-
detail/Ion-exchanger-column-for-fruit-sugar_60250813581.html?spm=a2700.77248
38.35.1.1G69dh (accessed August 31, 2015)
[21] “MKPF-33 Precoating Vacuum Drum Filter,” Alibaba. http://www.alibaba.com/product-
detail/MKPF-33-Precoating-Vacuum-Drum-Filter_2005501009.html?spm=a2700.77248
57.35.1.cvBe3k (accessed August 31, 2015)
[22] Buchanan, Susan. “Corn-Syrup Price Bolsters Sugar,” The Wall Street Journal.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121012103341272501 (accessed August 31, 2015)
[23] “ClearValue’s SulertTM Manufacturing/Technology,” ClearValue.
http://www.clearvalue.com/pdf/sulert1.pdf (accessed August 31, 2015)
15. Alfonso Figueroa
Team F3
1 September 2015
printed 5/22/2016 Figueroa_Assignment_1 p.12
Post-Reflection
Whew, the first assignment of the semester is finally complete after totaling about a week
and a half of heavy writing and in-depth research. This is the boost I needed to get me back into
the hard working mode so I can get through these challenging chemical engineering classes. This
is the hardest semester for chemical engineers, after all, getting back into the zone is very crucial.
With that, I feel I did a great job overall on this report following all mandatory guidelines.
In the approach for this project, I managed my time well in doing this work over the
following week and a half. I worked on the paper all day, every day, so I could get the most out
of my researching time. The only approach that did not work was probably working on the
weekend since I was busy and it ended up draining a lot of time. What I now know about my
learning approaches is that I work more efficiently when I am given a designated due date. This
is good to know since when I start working at a company I will always know that I can get my
work done in orderly, timely, manner.
What I would do differently next time is organize my workload on weekends. I want to
do this so I can know when to do my errands so I can have time to do my homework. My
strengths in research has once more benefited me in getting quality information to be presented
in this project. Another strength that has helped me is my superior time managing skills during
the weekdays, ensuring optimal research time. Although I had a lot of great strengths in forth
doing this writing, I had weaknesses that followed as well.
A weakness that comes to mind is my writing since I am not all that accustomed to
having proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. To overcome this weakness though,
I used the ASU writing center to help correct any errors that I may have made in this paper. This
helps assure that when this report is turned in, it is turned in at the most highest quality.
In researching, I feel I learned quite a lot on the product itself and can share this
knowledge with future companies. All this research will be beneficial in my other chemical
engineering classes now and later next semester. Since now all these classes require multiple
projects to be done, I will have better researching skills for them. The working skills that I put
into this assignment can be used for a lot of things in the real world whether it be time managing,
doing errands, or doing a good job at work. What I learned overall is to be efficient in time and
research methods when it comes down to getting a report done at a designated due date.
After doing this assignment, there is one thing that I like to recommend to make doing
these papers a little bit easier. The thing I like to see is a better guideline in how to start each new
task section since we cannot title them as tasks. After completing this project, I feel more
interested in making my projects look neat and presentable. It gives me a good feeling knowing
that I can sit back and look back at my fine piece of paper. Anyways, it will help to have these
formatting and writing skills when working at a future company.