Evaluation of autofiltration equipment for polarimetric analysis

Polarimetry still serves as a key method in the sugar industry for assessing the sugar content in various sugarcane and sugar beet products. To obtain accurate measurements, sugarcane factory materials have to undergo a crucial preparatory step involving clarification with a clarification aid, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, increasing the amounts of clarification aids can negatively impact polarimeter readings. This issue is exacerbated by the inconsistent quality of clarification aids, with significant batch-to-batch variations frequently observed in Louisiana (LA), USA. Such challenges underscore the critical need to explore advancements in filtration/clarification technologies not only to enhance measurement accuracy but also to reduce analysis time, thereby improving overall efficiency. This study evaluates the Autofilt Z®, a fully automatic pressure filtration unit, against conventional clarification procedures using Octapol® or Clearpol® aids for the polarimetric analysis of factory cane products. Comparative analyses were conducted on core lab juices, syrups, final molasses, and raw sugars from LA factories. Results indicated that Autofilt Z, coupled with Celite® (diatomaceous earth), provides effective filtration, particularly at 880 nm, the predominant wavelength for polarimetric analysis of dark samples in the sugar industry. While funnel filtration with Octapol® and Clearpol® aids increased dry solids levels in the filtrate, Autofilt Z showed no significant effect on dry solids levels. Moreover, Autofilt Z markedly reduced both filtrate turbidity and filtration time compared to traditional methods, indicating superior technical and economic performance in an industrial setting. These findings underscore the potential of Autofilt Z to enhance sample preparation efficiency for polarimetric analysis in the sugar industry.