Comprehensive approach of sugar process evaluation

Abstract

Sugar factory management usually focuses on two important goals: to increase the daily processing capacity and reduce energy consumption. Both targets are connected and cannot be evaluated separately. Many aspects affect this dual target, such as raw juice draft, retention times, process control techniques, equipment capacities, evaporation capability, etc. How do we overcome the problem to make an assessment easier and not to recalculate many balances repeatedly? This study introduces a comprehensive approach where a model and simulation of the whole sugar process is created and evaluated, involving heat & mass balance sheets, KPI and capacity checks of the main equipment. Software like SUGARSTM is mainly used to calculate an exact model of the sugar plant. However, this study involves a summarized and quick approach to check the status of the process, where, finally, comprehensive data on the evaluation of the sugar process is provided.