Final answer:
The rate at which thermal energy must be supplied to the corn oil is 12.3 kWh per hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the rate at which thermal energy must be supplied to the corn oil, we need to consider the amount of chips produced and the energy required to warm the masa. Given that the production line makes 240 kg of chips every hour, we can assume that the same amount of masa is used. The specific heat capacity of corn masa is 3.7 kJ/kg°C.
Assuming a desired temperature increase of 50°C, we can calculate the thermal energy required using the formula:
Energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change
Energy = 240 kg x 3.7 kJ/kg°C x 50°C = 44,400 kJ
Since power is defined as the rate of energy transfer, we can convert the energy to kilowatt-hours (kWh) using the conversion factor 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ:
44,400 kJ ÷ 3.6 MJ/kWh = 12.3 kWh
Therefore, the rate at which thermal energy must be supplied to the corn oil is 12.3 kWh per hour.