Integrated beet and cane sugar processing with high cogeneration efficiency

Due to water scarcity on the one hand and the possibilities of increasing the annual factory running time on the other, it has proven worthwhile to consider integrated beet and cane processing in some countries where climatic conditions are suitable for both crops.

The paper gives an overview about selected and applicable technologies driving the energy demand of an integrated beet and cane processing plant to its minimum. As a result, the plant is self-sufficient in fuel usage and also offers a sizable amount of power export (cogeneration). The surplus bagasse from the cane crop (typically 150 to 180 days) provides steam during the beet campaign (typically 60 to 80 days) and even some off-crop usage for refining raw sugar as well.

In order to keep investment costs at reasonable levels, careful design of the dual-use plant is required, as well as making maximum use of equipment that can handle both beet and cane intermediate products. The different purities and color levels of cane and beet juices require somewhat different treatment in juice purification and in boiling procedures, but the majority of the process steps are identical. The additional cost of an efficient dual-use plant is easily compensated for by the benefits in increased sugar output, sale of electricity and beet-pulp as a valuable fodder.


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Language: English

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