ISSCT

Low Pressure Extraction System – Revue of experiences and options for minimizing sugar losses caused by microorganisms

The prototype of the LPE-System with a capacity of 2,400 t/d cane in the Gameleira distillery in Brazil concluded the 15th Season in 99/00 with the best operational results ever obtained. 337,000 t cane were yielding 28 Mio L Ethanol in 140 days. The second full size installation with a capacity of 2,500–3,500 t/d cane is located in the Vighnahar sugar factory in India and completed the 4th full season operating side by side with a conventional mill train and achieving identical technological results for extraction and capacity.

It became now possible gathering valuable technical and energy related information and experiences about the feasibility of the LPE technology operating under rather difficult conditions. Since the functioning of the basic technical features could be well confirmed, it is now possible implementing further technological improvements. The mechanical and hydraulic components could be refined and made more reliable operating more economically. The possibility of combining the function of the maceration carriers at the front end with a multi-step lixiviation system allows substantially increasing the extraction result.

Additional measures are now leading to further developments improving the microbiological aspects related to sugar cane extraction. Major amounts of sugar are destroyed by microbiological activity in mills and metabolic products formed are interfering with the processing, yields and the quality of the final product. To a considerable part these problems are caused by using inadequate extraction devices and by permitting insufficient levels of cleanness maintainable by washing and sanitation. This is further exacerbated with the introduction of modern harvesting methods bringing more microorganisms into the process.

The reduction and control of infections in and around the LPE-system can be achieved with a variety of measures described and is considered to be an important objective for the construction and operation of future installations.

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Language: English

Copyright © Verlag Dr. Albert Bartens KG

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