Air pollution problem. Consider an airshed in which there is one major
contributor to air pollution--a cement-manufacturing plant whose annual
production capacity is 2.500,000 barrels of cement. Figures are not available to
determine whether the plant has been operating at capacity. Although the kilns
are equipped with mechanical collectors for air pollution control, the plant still
emits 2.0 lb of dust per barrel of cement produced. There are two types of
electrostatic precipitators that can be installed to control dust emission. The
four-field type would reduce emissions by 1.5 lb of dust/barrel and would cost
$0.14/barrel to operate. The five-field type would reduce emissions by 1.8 lb of
dust/barrel and would cost $0.18/barrel to operate. The EPA requires that
particulate emissions be reduced by at least 84%. How many barrels of cement
should be produced using each new control process to minimize the cost of
controls and still meet the EPA requirements1?