Electrodialysis as a purification technology in the sugar industry

Thanks to recent improvements in both the structure of anion-exchange membranes and in the design of stacks (operating at temperatures up to 60 °C), electrodialysis can be considered as one of the technologies that can help improve the cost-effectiveness of sugar factories by: (i) controlling organic fouling, (ii) reducing waste effluents and pollution loads, (iii) improving sugar yields, (iv) reducing the volume of molasses, (v) and saving capital costs. The operating results of a commercial plant in Europe after are presented, along with a detailed material balance.