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Title: Design and operation of a pilot-plant for the processing of sugarcane juice into sugar at the Southern Regional Research Center in Louisiana

Author
item Eggleston, Gillian
item Andrzejewski, Brett
item Alexander, Clay
item MONGE, ADRIAN - Cora Texas Manufacturing Company
item St Cyr, Eldwin
item MARQUETTE, MIKE - Honiron Corporation
item Solhjoo, Harry
item PONTIFF, KEVIN - Lafourche Sugar, Llc - Us

Submitted to: International Sugar Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2011
Publication Date: 11/1/2011
Citation: Eggleston, G., Andrzejewski, B., Alexander, C., Monge, A., St Cyr, E., Marquette, M., Solhjoo, H., Pontiff, K. 2012. Design and operation of a pilot-plant for the processing of sugarcane juice into sugar at the Southern Regional Research Center in Louisiana. International Sugar Journal. 113(1345):863-872.

Interpretive Summary: A pilot-plant facility to process juice into sugar and molasses has been developed under a limited budget at the Southern Regional Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture in New Orleans, Louisiana. The batch plant (27.9 m2) includes juice heating, clarification, evaporation, vacuum pan boiling, and centrifugation equipment. Design characteristics and operational procedures are described. This pilot-plant will be used to conduct research projects, complement factory research trials, as well as research processing innovations.

Technical Abstract: A pilot-plant facility to process sugarcane juice into sugar and molasses has been developed under a limited budget at the Southern Regional Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture in New Orleans, Louisiana. The batch plant (27.9 m2) includes juice heating, clarification, evaporation, vacuum pan boiling, and centrifugation equipment. Juice is collected from factories or other research facilities, transported to the pilot-plant and processed. A walk-in cooler is available close to the pilot plant to store juices, factory products or pilot plant products at refrigerated or freezing temperatures, if necessary. Design characteristics and operational procedures are described. This pilot-plant will be used to conduct research projects, complement factory research trials, as well as research processing innovations. Juices from other sugar crops, including sugar beet, sweet sorghum, and tropical maize can also be processed.