Causal diagram with positive and negative feedbacks of the grain molasses production process

Abstract The development and improvement of unique technologies for the production of feed and feed additives is currently an urgent problem, which is formulated at the level of the Government of the Russian Federation. Such technologies include the production of grain molasses in the conditions of agricultural enterprises from raw materials of their own production. To date, the technology for producing molasses from grain has been developed, but there are very few technical means for its implementation. The question of the operation of such installations remains insufficiently disclosed both from a scientific point of view and from a technical point of view, and requires further research. The paper substantiates the design of the plant for the preparation of molasses from grain on the basis of a mental model. When developing the mental model, the installation was considered as a "black box". For maximum consideration of all factors, a mental model of the pumping unit in dynamics is formed. A cause-and-effect diagram with positive and negative feedback on the selection of the pump for installation is formed. The diagram consists of variables and relationships between them with positive or negative effects. It is revealed that the key elements of the diagram are the electric pump and the dispersant, which provide the movement of the suspension. However, the dispersant is more complex, more expensive to manufacture, and has a lower performance compared to an electric pump. Therefore, it follows from the mental scheme that it is possible to achieve an increase in the productivity of the plant due to its technical improvement, taking into account the demand for molasses and focusing on the company’s profit from the use of this plant.