Optimization of Heat Transfer Area and Steam Requirement in Multiple Effects Evaporator for Concentration of Juice in Sugar Factory

Abstract

<strong>ABSTRACT.</strong> In maintaining the existence of sugar factories that exist and are still actively operating in Indonesia, efforts should be made to carry out intensification and extensification. In terms of the intensification of the process, it is necessary to periodically evaluate the performance of process tools, especially those that require utilities so that the process is effective and efficient. The process of making sugar passes through six stages, namely: milling, purification, evaporation (evaporation), cooking, screening, and packaging processes or the final stage. The evaporation process is a crucial process that determines the success of the entire process because the juice is concentrated from 11% to 64%. The evaporator is designed to use a multiple effect evaporator to increase the value of steam economy. The research objective is to optimize the number of effects that require a minimum total cost. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to survey the sugar factory to obtain the necessary valid data. Furthermore, a mathematical model is compiled based on the principle of mass and heat balance and then a software program is made so that the optimization solution can be done accurately. The conclusions that can be drawn are as follows: for a mass flow rate of 125,000 kg/hour with a concentration of 11% juice and a feed temperature of 100<sup>o</sup>C, the optimum conditions are obtained with a minimum annual production cost of IDR. 22,090,361,779.00 which is owned by the evaporator with 4 effects, total evaporator area = 2,443.81 m<sup>2</sup>, steam economy = 3.98 and steam demand = 26,028.2 kg/hour. The number of evaporator effects of 4 is common in Indonesia.