Sugar Factory Research Articles

By-products of sugar factories and wineries as feedstocks for erythritol generation

Erythritol – a polyol suitable for human nutrition – is industrially produced by microorganisms from costly glucose-rich or starch-rich feedstocks. However, the utilization of sugary by-products from food industries could significantly reduce process costs. This study examined erythritol production from sugarcane molasses, beet molasses and surplus grape musts, by comparing four fungal strains. Beet molasses presented toxic effects on microorganisms, which hampered erythritol production to a certain extent. Moniliella pollinis attained erythritol production yields of 0.239±0.001g/g from sugarcane molasses (106.40±0.42g/L erythritol), 0.229±0.003g/g from beet molasses (57.78±1.52g/L), 0.362±0.005g/g from red grape must (96.26±1.31g/L) and 0.383±0.004g/g from rosé grape must (92.84±0.98g/L), with nearly total sugar consumption in 6–9 days. In comparison, control tests with a valuable feedstock (beet syrup) reached erythritol yields of 0.327±0.009g/g (126.78±3.21g/L). Therefore, erythritol production could be considered as a viable route in certain food industries aiming at market diversification.

5-Hydroxy-2-Methylfurfural from Sugar Beet Thick Juice: Kinetic and Modeling Studies

5-Hydroxy-2-methylfurfural (HMF) has a high derivatization potential and is considered the sleeping giant of biobased platform chemicals. It is accessible by the acid hydrolysis of various carbohydrate-containing feeds, preferably those high in fructose content. We here report a detailed study on the use of thick juice, an intermediate sucrose (SUC)-rich stream in a sugar factory, and pure SUC for the synthesis of HMF in a batch reactor setup [in the presence of water and sulfuric acid (0.01 M) and at 180 °C]. Distinct differences in reactivity were found for both feeds, related to the presence of impurities (i.e., organic acids and salts) in the thick juice. To better understand the effect of the thick juice impurities, detailed model studies were performed involving the use of a model solution of SUC spiked with one of the thick juice impurities (organic acids such as maleic acid and a range of salts with potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium as the cations and carbonates, chlorides, and sulfates as the anions). The data were successfully modeled using a kinetic model for the main reactions in the network. The developed model revealed that sulfate anions have a major effect on the HMF yield and the batch time required to reach its optimum and are the likely cause of the differences in reactivity between pure SUC and thick juice.

Utilization of sugarcane factories\u2019 wastes as inexpensive source of nutrients and CO2 for microalgal biomass production: process coupling and potential evaluation

One approach for the viable production of algal biomass is to couple its production with wastewater treatment plants, power and/or industrial plants. This is intended towards the utilization of the nutrients and the CO2 in the wastewater and in the flue gases of the industry respectively by the microalgae during their growth. In the present study microalgal biomass production was conceptually coupled with a sugar factory. The potential of the wastewater and the flue gas of the factory to support the growth of the microalgae was evaluated. Likewise the possible reduction of pollution by the microalgae was studied. The outputs from the coupled process were determined using the material and energy balance approach with a spread sheet. The cultivation model shows that 12 mg of total nitrogen (TN) and 7.4 mg of total phosphorus (TP) per liter of wastewater could be transferred to the algal growth ponds. It was found that there is a nitrogen deficit in the wastewater. With the supply of makeup nutrient, 120.5 tons/year microalgal biomass could be produced from the coupled process. Application of the assumptions resulted in the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (mg O2/L) from 2200 to 447, biological oxygen demand (BOD5) (mg O2/L) from 1200 to 207, TN (mg/L) from 15 to 0.6 and, TP (mg/L) from 10 to 1.5 in the wastewater. Integration of the sugarcane processing factories with algal biomass production is important for both biomass production and bioremediation.

The Independent Sugarcane Farmer’s Satisfaction Towards Partnership of PT. Perkebunan Nusantara PG Takalar

This study aims to determine the level of satisfaction of farmers towards to the performance of the partnership. The research was conducted at PG Takalar from April to September 2020. Respondents were 75 farmers. The analytical tools used in this research are IPA (Important Performance Analysis) and CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index). The results showed that the implementation of the partnership activities was in accordance with the partnership cooperation contract between the company and the partner farmers. The farmersare very satisfied with the implementation of the partnership with PG Takalar. The attributes of the partnership that greatly contribute to the satisfaction of the farmers are a clear acceptance of the partnership, technical advice, easy access forfund, compliance of payment results, factory locations easily accessible to farmers and communication relationships that established between farmers and sugar factories.

Improvement quality of sugar cane bagasse as fish feed ingredient

Sugar cane bagasse is a waste from the processing of sugar cane in a sugar factory. Bagasse is obtained about 25% of the total weight of sugar cane which is used as raw material. Nutrients contained in bagasse approximately protein 1-4%, lipid<4%, ash 2-8%, crude fiber 20-38% and NFE 52-61% (in dry weight). Lignocellulosic component found in bagasse were lignin (11-27%), cellulose (26-49%) and hemicellulose (16-33%). This research aimed to improve bagasse into a fish feed ingredient. The study was conducted using a completely random design with four treatments and three replications. The treatment is carried out by mixing pre-treated bagasse with crude enzyme extract from Bacillus subtilis [1/1], [1/0.75], [1/0.5], [1/0.25] w/v which performed at optimum conditions, i.e. 50°C, pH 5.5 and incubation time 72 hours. The results showed that the treatment [1/1] w/v gave the best results. The improved bagasse had a protein content of 24.92%, ash 6.83%, crude fibre 11.56%, (in dry weight). Dissolved protein and reducing sugar increased to 417.60 mg/L and 442.63 mg/L, respectively. Lignin decreased to 2.81%. So the improved sugar cane bagasse was feasible to be used as a fish feed ingredient.

Economic and mathematical model of the profit of sugar production from beets

The economic sector of sugar production from beets in Russia is currently operating in a crisis of overproduction. The volume of sugar produced over the past few years exceeds the demand of the country’s population and the need for related processing industries. This economic situation led to a decrease in the market price of sugar, the formation of a deficit of working capital of enterprises. It arose a risk for unprofitable work of sugar factories. One of the main business processes that determine the efficiency of the company’s operation is to make a profit. Based on the analysis of the specifics of sugar production from beets, a mathematical model of the sugar factory’s profit was developed. The developed model takes into account all the components of the business process of making a profit that determine the efficiency of the sugar factory. Based on the developed mathematical model, it is possible to analyze the break-even operation of a sugar factory and determine the break-even point. The obtained mathematical model allows solving problems of optimal enterprise management, optimal design and reconstruction of sugar plants, and conducting financial audits. With the help of the developed mathematical model, the production activity of three sugar factories of different production capacities and different degrees of technical equipment is studied. The economic parameters of break-even operation of the studied enterprises are determined. Comparative analysis has shown the decisive role of effective production technologies in the break-even value.

Evaluating Technical Efficiency of Turkish Sugar Production in Pre and Post Privatization Periods

The sugar production sector of Turkey has undergone a large-scale privatization in 2018. Since then, 10 out of 33 sugar factories have been privatized. The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of the privatization on the technical efficiency of the sugar factories. For this purpose, the data of 31 factories operating in different parts of the country are utilized. We evaluate the efficiency before and after privatization in two periods: pre-privatization (September 2017 - August 2018) and after-privatization (August 2018 - September 2019) using Data Envelopment Analysis, Malmquist Productivity Index and DEA by Sequential Exclusion of Alternatives methods. First, while results derived from all models reveal a technical efficiency decline among factories in general, the privatized factories stand out as the only subset that experience an increase in technical efficiency for the period analysed. Secondly, the benchmarks for the inefficient factories are identified in the short term and the long term using ‘DEA by Sequential Exclusion of Alternatives’ to assist improvement decisions. Finally, the research presents some methodological insights on the application of the ‘DEA by Sequential Exclusion of Alternatives’ approach by experimenting with changing parameters that have the potential to aid future applications.

The odours in the ambient air: analysis of the relationship with the state of health and quality of life in adults residing in the town with food industries

Introduction. The article is devoted to studying atmospheric air pollution by industrial odours on the health, quality of life, and the occurrence of various somatic and emotional disorders in the population of neighboring residential areas. According to most abroad studies, a literature review showed different conditions mediated by “annoyance” of smell, a “predictor” of deviations in health status. Material and methods. The data for this study were obtained as a result of the survey of residents of the city with a population of about 50 thousand residents living at different distances from odour sources: coffee factory, bone meal factory, a sugar factory, and solid waste landfill. The distances from the primary sources ranged from 1500 m to &gt; 5 km. Results. The analysis showed that odour pollution is one of the priority factors affecting residents’ health and quality of life. The frequency and intensity of specific odours in the atmospheric air, according to the results of the survey, decrease as respondents’ place of residence is removed from sources (from 1500 m to &gt; 5 km), as well as the degree of their “annoyance” with odours (from 87.5% to 51.2%), remaining at a very high level at the farthest distances (over 5 km). Conclusion. Besides to the area of residence and, accordingly, the level of atmospheric air pollution by odours, extent of this “annoyance” can be influenced by concern of residents about possible impact of air pollution, particularly by odours, on health. It has been established that there is a certain category of residents (making up about one-third of the population) who tend to associate their health problems with the state of the environment and, mainly, with the presence of industrial odours. This group of respondents is characterized by a lower tolerance to odours and, at the same time, a higher frequency of upper respiratory tract diseases, allergies, cardiovascular, and some other diseases.

Multi-criteria optimization of beet juice obtaining process by press-diffusion method

Currently, the application of advanced technologies in sugar factories is relevant. These technologies are based on the use of a combination of physical and energy effects on the feedstock and provide a reduction in sucrose losses at the stage of diffusion juice obtaining. A method of press-diffusion production of juice from sugar beet which allows to increase the yield of sucrose from beet chips and to reduce losses at the stage of diffusion juice obtaining and production costs is suggested by us. The press-diffusion method of extracting juice from sugar beet with the methods of mathematical planning and statistical processing of the experimental results was studied in the work. Regression equations and suboptimal parameters providing the maximum yield of beet juice with minimum energy consumption for its implementation were received in experimental plants under the influence of technological parameters, which were the pressure applied to the beet mass at the pressing stage, the temperature at the diffusion stage, and the pretreatment temperature of beet chips before pressing and the frequency of ultrasonic vibrations of the emitter in the diffusion installation. These operating parameters were the following: pressing pressure 0.27–0.33 MPa, pretreatment temperature of beet chips 334.2–337.3 K, diffusion temperature 342.5–345.0 K and frequency of ultrasonic radiation 21.25–23.36 kHz. The engineering nomograms presented make it possible to determine the value of the specific energy consumption and the value of the liquid phase output from the technological parameters of the press-diffusion method for producing beet juice in a quick and qualitative way.

Stability analysis of rock slope along selected road sections from Gutane Migiru town to Fincha sugar factory, Oromiya, Ethiopia

The slope instability was one of the common problems along the road that connects Gutane Migiru town to Fincha sugar factory, Western Ethiopia. The effect of the problem was intense mostly; during the rainy season, that triggers different modes of rock slope failure. As a result, the road was frequently damaged and blocked by the failed rock that in turn hinders the traffic activities. Thus, this study aimed at stability analyses of the critical slope sections using kinematic and limit equilibrium methods (LEM). The estimation of the most important input parameter in LEM analyses like cohesion and friction angle along the failure plane is often intricate and cumbersome. Hence, this paper used Rocscience software to effortlessly and instantly compute cohesion and friction angle along specific failure planes and then to carry out kinematic and LEM analyses. Besides, the strength of the intact rock was determined by the Schmidt hammer in the field and point load laboratory test. According to the kinematic analysis result, the wedge mode of rock slope failure occurred at slope sections D1S2 and D1S3 though the planar mode of failure occurred at slope sections D1S4 and D4S1. The factor of safety determined under all anticipated conditions became less than and greater than one at slope sections D1S2, D1S3, D1S4, and D4S1, and this depicts an unstable and stable slope, respectively. From the analysis result, the combined effect of rainfall, steepness of the slope dip, and joint set was the main factors that caused the slope insatiability.

New methods for long storage of raw sugar products

The article examined the use of electrophysical methods, including ozone treatment in the cavitation zone for storing sugar beets. Experimental studies of samples of sugar beet from the Koksu sugar factory of the second degree of infection showed that ozone-cavitation treatments have a pleasant effect on long-term storage. As a result, it was proved that treatment with an ozone concentration of 8 g/m3 for 20 minutes at an overpressure of up to 5 ati is the most optimal mode.

Ensuring long storage of raw sugar products using electrophysical installation

The article examined the efficiency of using an electrophysical installation to ensure the long-term storage of raw sugar products. Experimental studies of sugar beets of the second degree of infection of the Koksu sugar factory. As a result, it was found that in order to increase the shelf life of sugar products, the most optimal regimen is treatment with ozone with a concentration of 8 g/m3 for 20 minutes and an overpressure of 3 or 5 ati.

Building Maintenance Assessment on Official Houses in Stilt Type at Jatiroto Sugar Factory Lumajang District, East Java, Indonesia

The complex of Jatiroto Sugar Factory did not only consist of factory area, but also residential housing. The official house of Jatiroto Sugar Factory was a house destined for the factory officials. On this area of official house, a house was in stilt type. The stilt type in the complex area of Jatiroto Sugar Factory was a unique type, it was differed from the other types of official house. The official house in stilt type has a fascinating specific feature to be examined. However, this official house began to be neglected. A number of houses have been left and not maintained because of the building oldness. The objective of this research was to identify and assess the official house building at Jatiroto Sugar Factory based on the cultural significance value of building maintenance. The descriptive evaluative method was used to assess the building of official house at Jatiroto Sugar Factory. The descriptive method was done and aimed to identify the cultural significance value of building maintenance, while the evaluative method was aimed to determine the maintenance value, so it could result to the value as a direction of building preservation. The result was the value of cultural significance of building maintenance that could be used in the preservation directives. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/lw.v13i1.5108

Carbon from Bagasse Activated with Water Vapor and Its Adsorption Performance for Methylene Blue

This research work reports on the potential of bagasse, a solid waste from sugar factories, to produce activated-carbon (AC) as an adsorbent. The activation was conducted under 500, 600, and 700 °C using steam as the activation agent to produce AC500, AC600, and AC700, respectively. The prepared-materials were characterized to understand their elemental content, surface morphology, thermal properties, functional groups identification, surface area, and pore size. AC700 provided the highest surface area of 592.36 m2/g and indicated the contribution of mesopores distributes along 1.5–8.0 nm of pore size. Therefore, an adsorption test was conducted with AC700 as adsorbent. The results show that methylene blue (MB) adsorption reached equilibrium after 30 min of adsorption time. The adsorption isotherm applied to a monolayer Langmuir isotherm was fitted by linearization, resulting in a constant R2 of 0.999. The MB adsorption to AC700 favorably occurred, as proven by the Freundlich parameter 1/n of 0.881, which is less than 1. The Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm confirmed that the adsorption proceeded through physical interaction with adsorption energy of 3.536 kJ/mol.

Dynamics and Complexity of Dark Fermentation Microbial Communities Producing Hydrogen From Sugar Beet Molasses in Continuously Operating Packed Bed Reactors.

This study describes the dynamics and complexity of microbial communities producing hydrogen-rich fermentation gas from sugar-beet molasses in five packed-bed reactors (PBRs). The bioreactors constitute a part of a system producing hydrogen from the by-products of the sugar-beet industry that has been operating continuously in one of the Polish sugar factories. PBRs with different working volumes, packing materials, construction and inocula were tested. This study focused on analysis (based on 16S rRNA profiling and shotgun metagenomics sequencing) of the microbial communities selected in the PBRs under the conditions of high (>100 cm3/g COD of molasses) and low (<50 cm3/g COD of molasses) efficiencies of hydrogen production. The stability and efficiency of the hydrogen production are determined by the composition of dark fermentation microbial communities. The most striking difference between the tested samples is the ratio of hydrogen producers to lactic acid bacteria. The highest efficiency of hydrogen production (130–160 cm3/g COD of molasses) was achieved at the ratios of HPB to LAB ≈ 4:2.5 or 2.5:1 as determined by 16S rRNA sequencing or shotgun metagenomics sequencing, respectively. The most abundant Clostridium species were C. pasteurianum and C. tyrobutyricum. A multiple predominance of LAB over HPB (3:1–4:1) or clostridia over LAB (5:1–60:1) results in decreased hydrogen production. Inhibition of hydrogen production was illustrated by overproduction of short chain fatty acids and ethanol. Furthermore, concentration of ethanol might be a relevant marker or factor promoting a metabolic shift in the DF bioreactors processing carbohydrates from hydrogen-yielding toward lactic acid fermentation or solventogenic pathways. The novelty of this study is identifying a community balance between hydrogen producers and lactic acid bacteria for stable hydrogen producing systems. The balance stems from long-term selection of hydrogen-producing microbial community, operating conditions such as bioreactor construction, packing material, hydraulic retention time and substrate concentration. This finding is confirmed by additional analysis of the proportions between HPB and LAB in dark fermentation bioreactors from other studies. The results contribute to the advance of knowledge in the area of relationships and nutritional interactions especially the cross-feeding of lactate between bacteria in dark fermentation microbial communities.

Issues of increasing the effectiveness of beet and rawsugar subcomplexes in terms of environmental protection

The article discusses the issues of increasing the effectiveness of the functioning of beet and raw sugar subcomplexes in terms of environmental protection. The main areas of scientific and technical progress aimed at increasing the profitability of the production of sugar beets, sugar cane and sugar as a final product at these subcomplexes as well as reducing harmful effects of their growing andproduction processeson the atmosphere, soil, and water bodies have been identified. The authors consider the development of new product lines and machines in accordance with the system of machines for sugar factories, modernization of existing and development of new trailed beet and cane harvesting machines; resource saving: intensification of the use and processing of beet and cane raw materials, ensuring a minimum amount of waste and its comprehensive processing; problems of greening associated with the work of sugar factories.

PRODUCTION AND USE OF BIOENERGY RESOURCES OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF UKRAINE ON THE BASIS OF SUSTAINABILITY

The article deals the analysis of production and consumption of bioenergy resources in agriculture. It is established that the assessment of resource potential is carried out with regard to the following energy trilemma: decarbonization, energy security and affordability, which significantly increases the interest in alternative fuels derived from renewable sources. In order to achieve sustainable development in the context of providing businesses with affordable and clean energy, national indicators relevant to the agricultural sector have been developed. Biomass production utilizes both land and human resourse to a greater extent than any other renewable energy technology, and can create sustainable supply chains. It has been proven that the use of biomass improves the supply and access to energy at the local and national levels, but also reduces waste disposal, provides an alternative use of biomass or fossil resources. It is noted that the main products of biomass processing are solid and liquid biofuels, biogas. Ukraine's energy strategy 2035 suggests an increase in the use of biomass in energy generation up to 11,5 %, and the main stimulus for growth is the use of green tariff. Biomass production requires the largest amount of land resources compared to other alternative sources. It limits the use of sown areas for food crops in favor of bioenergy crops. In particular, the raw materials for the production of bioethanol in Ukraine are sugar, starch crops and cellulose materials, which are converted into the final product by alcohol and sugar factories. Biodiesel production is not widespread enough, and more than 95 % of the gross harvest of rapeseed and soybeans used for its production in 2019 was exported. In the structure of solid biofuels, agricultural waste, in particular straw, stalks and husks, has the greatest potential for the use. Thus, biomass is an alternative energy resource that creates significant prospects for sustainable agriculture, but wholesale energy tariffs need to be revised to take into account external factors that consider insurance risks and increased environmental taxation, which is low in Ukraine.

Proposed Design of White Sugar Industrial Supply Chain System based on Blockchain Technology

The white crystal sugar agro-industry is an industry with dynamic characteristics characterized by a sustainable relationship between actors ranging from farmers to consumers. An inefficient supply chain system will affect the flow of products, information, and finance because many actors are involved and have influence. Hence, complicating the system in the tracking process flow, product flow and creating problems that occur in business processes. The main objective of this research is to propose the design of an integrated white crystal sugar agro-industrial supply chain system based on blockchain technology so that it can increase competitiveness in realizing food security and resilience; by proposing a search for the problem of mismatches that occur along the supply chain from upstream to downstream. The variables that will be identified in the supply chain flow include quality, quantity, and price, with the suitability of transaction information data ranging from farmers, sugar factories, warehouses, distribution, retailers to the final consumer. It is hoped that consumers will feel happy to consume trusted local sugar with the best safety and quality, as well as ensure transparency of information between actors. Previous traditional methods, which were still centralized, would be transformed into decentralized information, to create trust among stakeholders. With a blockchain-based traceability architecture design, it is hoped that the proposed design can be implemented in the white crystal sugar agro-industry.

The Labor Movement in the &amp;quot;PANCHITO Gómez Toro&amp;quot; Sugar Mill, Formerly &amp;quot;San Isidro&amp;quot; in Quemado De Güines

The article deals with the organization and development of the labor movement in the central sugar factory Panchito Gomez Toro, formerly Isidro, since its foundation in 1932, where the maximum sugar leader Jesus Menendez Larrondo intervenes. Its workers and members were faithful to the principles of solidarity and unity of this union to this day, allowing them to conquer their rights and demand from the employers the possibility of constantly improving their economic, labor and social living conditions. As vanguards in the struggles of this sector, the workers of contributed to the July 26 movement of the territory many exponents in which the Commander of the Revolution Victor Bordon Machado stood out. With the revolutionary triumph on January 1, 1959 and its nationalization on October 21, 1960, where the industry passed into the hands of the workers as social socialist property, they have achieved the distinction of National Vanguards on several occasions, an expression of that roots of struggle. With empirical methods it was possible to evaluate descriptive informative results of the main actions of the San Isidro workers in the middle of the 20th century, they were also useful methods that allowed to deepen through the analysis the results that appeared in the witness documents that appear in the central's records. Finally, the article contributes to the registry of the heritage of local history on the municipal sugar industry and the struggles of its workers for economic and social reasons.

Risky sexual behavior and its associated factors among daily laborers in Arjo-Didessa sugar factory, Jimma Arjo, Southwest Ethiopia: An institution-based cross-sectional study.

Background:Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan African countries where the young population is densely found. Many studies reveal that the magnitude of risky sexual behavior is high in the youth. The consequences of risky sexual behavior developed during youth life may affect the sexual behavior in adult life, such as increasing the risk of acquiring and transmitting sexually transmitted infections, and predisposing to unwanted pregnancies. Our objective was to assess the risky sexual behaviors among daily laborers in Arjo-Didessa Sugar Factory, Jimma Arjo district, East Wollega zone, Southwest Ethiopia.Methods:An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 randomly selected daily laborers in the Arjo-Didessa sugar factory. For the quantitative and qualitative study, a simple random and purposive sampling technique, respectively, was employed to select the study participants. After data collection, data were checked manually for completeness, and then cleaned and entered into EPI info version 7. Statistical analyses like descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 24 to determine the association between predictors and outcome variables with the help of the calculated frequencies and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, while a p-value of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.Results:The mean age of study participants was 22.15 and standard deviation of ±2.9 years. Among the study participants who responded to having sex in the past 12 months, 171 (57%) with 95% confidence interval (0.51, 0.63) had ever experienced risky sexual practices. The findings of this study indicated that age from 20 to 24 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.19–12.90), marital status (single) (adjusted odds ratio = 5.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.98–15.70), khat chewing (adjusted odds ratio = 7.12, 95% confidence interval: 2.2–23.4), influence of alcohol for sex (adjusted odds ratio = 3.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–12.23), watching pornographic films (adjusted odds ratio = 4.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–12.2), and having income less than US$17 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.03, 95% confidence interval: 0.01–0.77) and US$17–US$52 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.06–0.85) were significantly associated with risky sexual behavior.Conclusion:This study indicated that there are high-risk sexual practices among the study population. Age, marital status, income level, khat chewing, the influence of alcohol consumption to have sex, and pornographic viewing were found to be predisposing factors of the risky sexual behaviors among daily laborers at the Arjo-Didessa sugar factory. Enhancing sexual education and consulting the targeted groups for the behavioral change is highly advisable, which can reduce the consequences of risky sexual practices that prevailed in the study area.