ACCESSION NO: 0189180 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJ NO: LAB03521 AGENCY: CSREES LA.B
PROJ TYPE: HATCH PROJ STATUS: NEW
START: 01 JAN 2001 TERM: 31 DEC 2005
INVESTIGATOR: Rein, P. W.; Saska, M.
PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
AUDUBON SUGAR INSTITUTE
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70893
OPTIMIZATION OF SUGAR CRYSTALLIZATION PROCESSES
OBJECTIVES: 1. Make use of well-automated and controlled pilot plant vacuum and cooling crystallizers to establish fundamental information on factors affecting crystallization rate, color and impurity transfer from mother liquor to crystal, and exhaustion of molasses. 2. Compare different methods of measurement and control, to establish the most cost- effective techniques for practical application, and so establish the optimal control strategy for batch crystallization. 3. Use the information on crystallization and optimal control to establish how best continuous vacuum crystallization can be carried out to meet specified objectives.
APPROACH: This project combines some fundamantal crystallization modeling with controlled experimentation in a well-equipped laboratory. It aims to look at some fundamental crystallization processes including crystallization rates and the influence of impurities on rates and impurity inclusions in sugar crystals. It uses this information together with the results of transducer evaluations on the pilot plant to optimise vacuum crystallization, and point the way to optimal control in factories. The information obtained will also enable continuous crystallization to be studied, with the aim of optimising the design of continuous systems. The outcome should be greatly improved capacity use and product quality. The full range of boiling conditions will be evaluated, from white refined boilings to low grade massecuites.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Pilot plant and theoretical studies will lead to optimization of sugar crystallization systems in sugar factories, leading to lower costs and better product quality To establish the best crystallization conditions and the optimal ways of carrying out the process in practice
PROJECT CONTACT:
Name: Rein, P. W.
Phone: 225-388-3387
Fax: 225-388-2708
E-mail: prein@agcenter.lsu.edu