8. Membrane operations in the sugar and brewing industry

Abstract

This chapter is focusing on membrane applications in the sugar and brewing industries. Both industries are established global industries operating with large process streams and having a wide range of separation needs. Despite these needs, membrane processes are still in their infancy in these two industries. The key challenge of membrane processes in these industries is membrane fouling due to the presence of fouling components in the various feed streams. Membrane cleaning is one approach to reverse membrane fouling but it requires regular cleaning intervals and cleaning chemicals. Improved pre-treatment methods such as e.g. gravity separation and pre-filtration plus new low fouling membranes are under investigation but most of the applications in the sugar and brewing industries are still under development. Based on this, the chapter will not only focus on established applications of membrane processes in the sugar and brewing industries but also on potential membrane applications in these industries. The first section of this chapter will provide an overview on membrane applications in the sugar industry covering both beet and cane sugar. The following section is then focusing on the brewing industry. In the final section of the chapter, a concluding outlook on membrane processes for both the sugar and the brewing industry will be given. The sections of this chapter are self-contained and the selective reader is therefore encouraged to move directly to the section of interest. (Less)