A review of the development of continuous crystallization in the Southern African sugar industry

The widespread adoption of continuous crystallization in the Southern African countries is reviewed. It is shown how the use of continuous evaporating crystallizers forms the basis of cost-effective expansion and replacement strategies in preference to discontinuous evaporating crystallizers. An update of experience with control and operation of continuous evaporating crystallizers is presented. Performance data on heat transfer rates and information on crystal quality is presented, showing how fewer compartments and lower heating surface/volume ratios can be utilized.