Environmental Sustainability:

• Improving energy efficiency by just 10% in thermal processing could eliminate 1.1 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

• Adoption of optimized processes reduces dependence on fossil fuels, making food production more environmentally friendly.

Enhanced Food Supply Chain:

• Real-time optimization will ensure consistent food quality and safety while minimizing waste and spoilage.

• Modular models will enable rapid adaptation to changes in scale, equipment, and food types, supporting diverse production needs.

Economic Benefits:

• Cost Savings: Higher energy efficiency and reduced waste lower operational costs for food manufacturers.

• Competitive Advantage: Adoption of advanced, sustainable technologies enhances market competitiveness for companies in the food and beverage industry.

Advancing Scientific Knowledge:

• The integration of Reduced-Order Modeling (ROM) with real-time optimization will contribute to the fields of computational fluid dynamics and process engineering.

• Cross-disciplinary training in food processing, advanced computing, and controls

Broader Impact:

• Will update the curricula of CC, UG and graduate programs.

• Research opportunities for underrepresented groups

• Summer camps for high-school students from minorized groups

Scientific Impact:

• A more robust and industry-friendly ROM technique will facilitate ROM adoptions for a real-time CPS involving distributed-parameter system components.

• Will gain knowledge and experiences in quick model-assembly based on coupling of ROM components for real-time management of discrete process variations in a CPS.