Sugarcane Factory Research Articles

Compositional and structural changes of sugarcane evaporator deposits after concentrated sodium hydroxide treatment

Fouling of industrial heat exchangers and evaporators is not only associated with energy management but also reductions in heat transfer coefficients causing loss in productivity. This paper describes the effect of NaOH solution on the removal of sugarcane factory heat exchanger deposits. Apatite, calcium oxalate, calcite, quartz, tricalcium aconitate and non-diffracting materials including amorphous silica are present in the deposits. Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that monomeric silica species were preferential removed over oligomeric and polymeric species, while 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis not only confirmed this, but identified the types of silica units Q0 [Si(OH)4], Q1 [(OH)3*Si(OSi)], Q2 [(OH2*Si(OSi)2], Q3 [(OH)*Si(OSi)3] and Q4 [*Si(OSi)4] present, rearranged, and removed. After chemical cleaning, the scale components became truncated with indentation and contain spherical and hairy-like micro-sized particles. Also, the morphology of tetragonal CaCO4·2H2O was found to be distorted and the proportion of crystalline phases decreased through fragmentation of the scale matrix.

Combined Fenton Oxidation and Chemical Coagulation for the Treatment of Melanoidin/Phenolic Acid Mixtures and Sugar Juice

The use of SO2 via the sulfitation process for the production of plantation white sugar is discouraged in many countries because of the health risks surrounding the consumption of contaminated sugar containing residual sulfur. Other current options based on the modification of crystallization schemes are not effective for removing certain colorants that are relatively difficult to remove for sugar refiners. This work evaluated the degradation and decoloration of mixtures containing a synthetic glucose-glycine melanoidin and three hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs; caffeic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids) present in sugar solutions and sugar cane factory juices by the Fenton and modified Fenton processes. The modified Fenton process [containing Al(III)] degraded the melanoidin and the HCAs by 69 and 53%, respectively, and resulted in 43% decolorization of the sugar solution. In the absence of Al(III), the Fenton process resulted in 63 and 47% degradation, respectively, but with only 24% decolorization. With facto...

A Descriptive Study on Prevalence of Occupational Health Hazards among Employees of Selected Sugarcane Factory in Deharadun, Uttarakhand

Occupational health hazards have deleterious effect on the individual health and safety as well as the organizational effectiveness. Emerging occupational health problems are to be tackled along with existing public health problems like communicable disease, malnutrition and inadequate medical care. Globalization and rapid industrial growth in the past few years have added further to complexities of occupational health related issues. Quantitative approach was used and research design was descriptive survey research design. Sample were factory employees of sugarcane factory, sample size was 100 and sample technique was convenient sampling, setting for the study was sugarcane factory of Doiwala, Dehradun, and tool used were checklist related to occupational health hazards. Majority (36%) of the subjects were between 47 to 56 years, majority (39%) subjects had educational status up to primary, majority (57%) of the subjects having monthly income more than 15000, majority (55%) of the subjects were from nuclear family, majority (55%) of the subjects were non vegetarian, majority (77%) of subjects were living in rural areas, majority (33%) of subjects were consuming tobacco, majority (81%) of subjects were having working experience more than 10 years, majority (95%) of the subjects were having working hours more than 8. Through this checklist we found that (42%) of subjects were having back ache, joint or muscles problems, (52%) of subjects were suffering from vision problems and (81%) of a subject says that PPE is not available for all workers.

METALES PESADOS EN LA BAHIA DE MANATI, CUBA

Copper, lead, zinc, iron, manganese and volatile matter concentrations were determined in surface sediments samples, a dissected sediment core, suspended matter and in the oyster Crassostrea rizophorae, taken from Manati Bay, Cuba. In sediments, normalization of heavy metal contens to volatile matter expedited the intrepretation of results and allowed to distinguish the discharge zone of waste waters from a sugar cane factory and the Manatí village as affected by Cu and Zn. The studied species showed seasonal variations during the period, but was not useful as bioindicator of heavy metal pollution; tihs fact seems to be caused by the enviromental conditions of the zone.

Effects of Output-Input Values on Factory Productivity

<p>A sugarcane factory produces white sugar for national market. Measuring factory productivity is important to understand the factory performance. Factory productivity was measured using Multi Factor Productivity Measurement Model (MFPMM) based on an output input analysis. The results show that yearly factory productivity in the last period was lower than the previous period. The decrease of productivity was affected by decreasing company revenues and increasing input costs.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Factory productivity; MFPMM, Multifactor; Sugarcane.</p>

Molecular characteristics of humic acids isolated from vermicomposts and their relationship to bioactivity.

Vermitechnology is an effective composting method, which transforms biomass into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. Mature vermicompost is a renewable organic product containing humic substances with high biological activity. The aim of this study was to assess the chemical characteristics and the bioactivity of humic acids isolated from different vermicomposts produced with either cattle manure, sugar cane bagasse, sunflower cake from seed oil extraction, or filter cake from a sugar cane factory. More than 200 different molecules were found, and it was possible to identify chemical markers on humic acids according to the nature of the organic source. The large hydrophobic character of humic extracts and the preservation of altered lignin derivatives confer to humic acids the ability to induce lateral root emergence in maize seedlings. Humic acid-like substances extracted from plant biomass residues represent an additional valuable product of vermicomposting that can be used as a plant growth promoter.

Men, Masculinities, and the Demise of a State

This article explains why Connell’s classification of masculinities is inadequate for the analysis of clear crisis situations. Based on a study in a small town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the author found two ways in which men renegotiated their masculinities after the war broke out and closure of a sugarcane factory caused 3,000 people to lose their jobs. Some men adopted a victim identity; they placed the blame of their situation outside themselves, and became idle, aggressive, suspicious toward others and nonself-reflective. Other men renegotiated their masculinities and accepted a lower status within the family and society. The latter renegotiation was more conducive for the survival of individuals and families; it decreased sexual and gender-based violence and increased gender equality and general levels of cooperative behavior. Examining men in terms of “victimized” and “effaced” masculinities increases our understanding of how men respond differently to emasculation and it can also inform humanitarian and developmental responses.

A structured approach to target starch solubilisation and hydrolysis for the sugarcane industry

In sugarcane processing, starch is considered an impurity that negatively affects processing and reduces the quality of the sugar end-product. In the last decade, there has been a general world-wide increase in starch concentrations in sugarcane. Industrial α-amylases have been used for many years to mitigate issues arising from starch in the sugarcane industry. Mixed results have prompted further studies of the behaviour of different physical forms of starch and their interactions with α-amylases during processing. By using corn starch as a reference in model juices and syrups, processing parameters, activities, and hydrolysis of insoluble, swollen, and soluble starch forms were evaluated for two commercial α-amylases with high (HT) and intermediate (IT) temperature stability, respectively. The ability of starch to solubilise across a sugarcane factory is largely limited by increased Brix values. Optimum target locations and conditions for the application of α-amylases in sugarcane processing are discussed in detail.

An assessment of mechanical vs manual harvesting of the sugarcane in Sudan – The case of Sennar Sugar Factory

The rehabilitation works carried out in the Sennar sugarcane factory in Sudan, improved the rates of milling accompanied by the horizontal and vertical expansions of the farm compelled Sennar factory to go for mechanical harvesting to solve the problem of labor shortage. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the current sugarcane manual and mechanical harvesting systems with regard to production efficiency, cost effectiveness, cane loading efficiency, infield losses, and the effect of trash (extraneous matter) in factory process. Different experiments were conducted to compare and contrast between the two harvesting systems. The results revealed that manual harvesting (8.98SDG/ton) is more expensive than mechanical harvesting (4.9.5SDG/ton); the wages for the cane cutting labor represent 74.14% of the total cutting cost, 46% of the total manual harvesting cost, and 18.9% of the total harvesting cost. Infield cane losses represent 4.72% and 4.22% of the actual yield for the manual harvesting and mechanical harvesting systems, respectively. Moreover, the results showed a significant difference between the two harvesting systems with regard to the cane weight/trailer (ton/trailer) and trash percent. On average the cane weight (ton/trailer) is 6.88 for manual harvesting and 10.12 for mechanical harvesting. The trash percent is only 3.66% for manually harvested cane while it reached 9.49 for the mechanically harvested cane. A 1% increase in trash will lead to decrease in sugar recovery by 0.1%. It could recommended that Sennar Sugar Factory as well as other sugar factories in Sudan could go for increasing the mechanical harvesting system and reducing the manual harvesting to less than 10% of the total area. The specialized cane cutter labors should be employed in other agricultural operations during the off-season to insure their availability at the start of the season. A further research is needed to reduce the infield cane losses and trash percent and to determine their effect on cane quality and factory performance for the two harvesting systems.

Sugar cane manufacturing is associated with tuberculosis in an indigenous population in Brazil

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among indigenous peoples in Brazil, and identifying the risk factors for TB in this population secondary to specific epidemiological conditions is essential for recommending interventions aimed at disease control. This case-control study was conducted with an indigenous population between June 2009 and August 2011 in Dourados, Brazil. Tuberculosis cases reported to the national disease surveillance programme were paired with two control cases matched by age and geographic location. There were 63 cases included in this study, and the annual incidence of TB in the indigenous communities examined was 222 (95% CI, 148-321) per 100 000 inhabitants. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the variables associated with TB infection included male gender (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.3-5.3), not owning a home (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.2-10.1), illiteracy (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1-5.0), TB contact (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2-4.8) and work performed in a sugar cane factory (OR 6.8; 95% CI 1.2-36.9). There is a potential relationship between exposure to sugar cane manufacturing processes and tuberculosis infection among indigenous populations.

Improved Control of Sucrose Losses and Clarified Juice Turbidity with Lime Saccharate in Hot Lime Clarification of Sugarcane Juice and other Comparisons with Milk of Lime

A comparative investigation of adding milk of lime (MOL) versus lime saccharate (SACCH) in the hot lime clarification of juice at a U.S. sugarcane factory was undertaken to quantify performance across the 2009 processing season, after a preliminary factory study in 2008. SACCH was prepared by adding hydrated lime to hot clarified juice (CJ) in a greater than 1:7 ratio. The lime treatment was added to flash heated limed juice (FHLJ) to obtain a target CJ pH of 7.3. Samples of FHLJ and CJ were collected six times every 30 min, taking into account the retention time of the clarification tank. Results from the preliminary study suggested that SACCH caused lower turbidity in CJs with better control, as well as higher and better controlled CJ pHs. Across the 2009 season, SACCH factory mud volumes tended to be slightly (no significant difference) higher than for MOL, but no greater than 8.5%. In 2009, CJ turbidities with SACCH were, generally, lower and better controlled than MOL. Lower median particle sizes in CJs with MOL across the season at least partially explain the higher CJ turbidities with MOL than SACCH. For the same amount of hydrated lime added, SACCH produced a higher pH than MOL and this, generally, allowed SACCH to achieve the target CJ pH better than MOL and reduce sucrose losses from acid inversion. No significantly (P < 0.05) extra lime had to be added in the SACCH than MOL treatment, and there were no significant differences between the color of either FHLJ or CJ from SACCH or MOL. Overall, the use of SACCH over MOL improved hot lime clarification especially with respect to the achievement and control of target pH values that saved a considerable amount in sucrose losses and improved turbidity values of clarified juices. Practical Applications This paper is highly practical because in recent years there has been a shift in the U.S.A. and worldwide from the harvesting of burnt to green (unburnt) sugarcane, which has meant that more sugarcane leaves and tops are being processed at factories and have made clarification and sucrose losses worse. The work represented here offers a solution to this by proving that the addition of lime saccharate (SACCH) instead of the traditional milk of lime (MOL), during clarification of sugarcane juice, can improve turbid particle removal and be used as a tool by sugar processors to reduce expensive sucrose losses. This paper reports the performance of MOL and SACCH lime treatments on both the laboratory and factory clarification of sugarcane juices and puts forward explanations for the differences observed.

Effects of sugarcane harvesting with burning on the chemical and microbiological properties of the soil

Soil microbial biomass represents an important and strategic reservoir of plant nutrients that can be quickly altered due to different soil and crop managements. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sugarcane harvesting systems, with or without burning, on the chemical and biological properties of the soil. The experiment was conducted on a dystrophic red latosol (Oxisol) soil in 2008, in a commercial area of a sugarcane factory in the municipality of Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo state, Brazil. The treatments included areas previously burned, areas with mechanical harvesting and no burning and native forest. Soil samples were collected immediately after the sugarcane harvest from the treatments at a depth of 0–20cm. The parameters evaluated were: microbial biomass C and N (MB-C and MB-N), total organic C (TOC), recalcitrant C (R-C), labile-C (L-C), total nitrogen (TN), pH, exchangeable cations (Ca2++Mg2+ and K+), exchangeable (Al3+) and potential (H++Al3+) acidity, and P available in the soil. Soil chemical fertility under the sugarcane without burning was better than under sugarcane with burn. The TOC values for native forest and for the harvesting without burn were higher than those under the sugarcane with burn (148% and 54%, respectively). This superiority was also confirmed for TN, L-C and R-C. An even more significant difference was found under natural forest and sugarcane without burn for MB-C, which was 222% higher under native forest and 102% higher under sugarcane without burn than the value under sugarcane with burn, confirming that MB-C could be a reliable indicator of soil quality for monitoring soils under different sugarcane harvesting systems.

Study on Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extracts from Scum of Mixed Juice

The scum of mixed juice is a by-product in sugarcane factory, which used up-floating method for mixed juice clarification. The scum is of great research and utilization value due to its rich organic non-sugar compounds such as proteins, lipids and polyphenols. Studies on the free radical scavenging capacity and reducing power of water extraction sample (A) and macroporous resin purified sample (B) from mixed juice scum were investigated, comparing with Vc. It was showed that the antioxidant activity of macroporous resin purified sample (B) was much stronger than that of water extraction sample (A) and Vc in , and system. For example, the scavenging capacity of sample B on was 11 times than that of Vc and 1450 times of sample A. In addition, the free radical scavenging activity of sample A and B was dependent on the sample concentration. Results in this study indicated that scum of mixed juice may be a promising natural antioxidant, which can be used as additives in food industry or feed industry.

Studies on the mycoflora associated with sugarcane factory waste and pollution of River Nile in upper Egypt

Sixty-nine species and four varieties that belong to 28 genera of terrestial fungi were recovered from polluted and non-polluted water and mud samples on glucose and cellulose-Czapek's agar at 28°C. The most common species from the two substrates on the two types of media were Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A.niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Mycosphaerella tassiana and Penicillium chrysogenum. Twenty-six species belonging to 14 genera were isolated from polluted (26 species and 14 genera) and non-polluted (17species and 10 genera) mud samples on Sabouraud's dextrose agar at 28°C. The most prevalent species were Acremonium retiulum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aphanoascus fulvescens, A. terreus, Aphanoascus sp., Penicillium funiculosum and Stachybotrys chartarum.

Energy Recovery from Sugarcane-Trash in the Light of 2nd Generation Biofuel. Part 2: Socio-Economic Aspects and Techno-Economic Analysis

Since last decade of twentieth century, the change in cane harvesting method from manual harvesting of burned cane to mechanical harvesting of green cane brought the real possibility of sugarcane-trash energy use. The sugarcane-trash, also called Sugarcane Agricultural Residues (SCAR) represents 1/3 of total sugarcane energy content. Despite SCAR is considered today the main unexplored energy reserve in the sugarcane agro-industry a negligible part of this residues is used. Starting from the analysis of the current situation and environmental aspects described in Part1 of the present work (Alonso Pippo et al. in Waste Biomass Valoriz 1), an assessment on socio-economic aspects of SCAR and energy use was carried out. The impact of sugarcane mechanized harvesting on employment was described. The food versus biofuels production from crops was analyzed. SCAR characteristic in face 2nd generation biofuels requirements was treated. The social aspects related to land use were evaluated. A Linear Programming model for profitability maximization was used in order to estimate economical benefits derived from SCAR energy use. The model solution showed that among the variables should be considered in order to maximize profitability special attention deserves: sugarcane production and SCAR transportation cost. It seems to be that sugarcane mechanized harvesting combined with train transport are among the best infrastructure conditions to maximize the profit. When it is delivered to sugar-mill by train SCAR cost can be up to five times cheaper than when it is delivered using articulated lorries. Assuming SCAR energy use for electricity cogeneration as main priority, it was calculated the optimal size for sugarcane factory from techno-economic point of view. An added value/added cost analysis on SCAR energy use at a medium size factory was carried out.

Effects of sugar cane monocultures on origin and characteristics of dissolved organic matter in the Manguaba lagoon in northeast Brazil

Brazil has extensive sugar cane monocultures, which significantly alter hydrogeochemical material fluxes. We studied dissolved organic matter (OM) fluxes in the Manguaba lagoon–estuary system, which drains a sugar cane monoculture-dominated hinterland and discharges into the Atlantic coastal ocean. The OM fluxes into the lagoon originate from baseflow, field runoff and sugar cane factory effluents. In the study, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, δ 13C DOC and UV absorbance were analysed along a freshwater–seawater salinity gradient that encompasses river (DOC 9–11 mg l −1, δ 13C −22.2‰ to −25.5‰); lagoon (4–11 mg l −1, −20.5‰ to −24.8‰); estuary (3–9 mg l −1, −22.6‰ to −25.3‰) and coastal waters (1.64 mg l −1, −21‰) with different intra-seasonal runoff conditions. We used the carbon isotope data to quantify the sugar cane derived DOC. Where river water meets brackish lagoon water, substantial loss of DOC occurs during rainy conditions, when suspended sediment from eroded fields in the river is very high. During dry weather, at much lower suspension levels, DOC increases, however, presumably from addition of photolysed resuspended sedimentary OM. In the estuary, mixing of DOC is strictly conservative. Ca. 1/3 of riverine DOM discharged into the lagoon has a sugar cane source. Within the lagoon on avg. 20% of the bulk DOM is comprised of sugar cane DOM, whereas during heavy rainfall the amount increases to 31%, due to intensified drainage flow and soil erosion. In the estuary, 14–26% is of sugar cane origin. The sugar cane-derived component follows the mixing patterns of bulk DOM.

Non-lead polarimetry for sugarcane juice and factory products

Polarimetry is used worldwide as a simple sucrose content measurement. This method needs a clarification step to remove sample turbidity for correct light transmittance on a polarimeter. The conventional clarification with lead acetate for polarimetric measurement at 589.44 nm was compared with a physical method utilizing a polarimetric measurement at 882.6 nm. Filtration with filter aids is a physical method which has less impact on the environment than lead. Comparison between polarimetry at 589 nm and 882.6 nm and sucrose content by chromatography for sugar factory products as mixed juice, bagasse, filter cake and molasses are presented. These products came from two sugar factories of Réunion Island: Le Gol factory (milling tandem) and Bois-Rouge factory (diffuser). Polarimetry at 882.6 nm gave lower contents compared to measurements at 589 nm for cane (–0.075 g/100 g), mixed juice (–0.07), A run-off syrup (–0.19), C massecuite (–1.67) and final molasses (–3.82) and higher results for filter cake (+0.06). There was no difference for bagasse. The method repeatability was 0.05 for mixed juice and 0.04 for molasses. Polarimetry at 882.6 nm has been used in sugar factories since 2005 and for cane payment in Réunion from the beginning of 2009 crushing season.

Short-term studies on use of organic amendments for amelioration of a sandy soil

The increase in world population has posed more pressure in existing arable lands. The nutrients poor sandy soils could be productive if their content of organic matter can be increased. Agricultural and animal wastes instead of being dumped, could offer a cheap alternative source of organic matter to increase soil fertility. Three glasshouse short-term experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of incorporation of: (1) agricultural residues (trashes of Cajanus cajan and sugarcane factory by- product (baggase); (2) recycling of various vegetable market wastes and; (3) application of animal wastes (hoof and wool) on soil properties and performance of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) or maize (Zea mays L.). Results showed that almost all sources of organic materials had resulted in significant positive effects on accumulation of plant dry matter and soil physical and chemical characteristics. Organic amendments are necessary for the sustainable use of nutrient-poor Sudanese sandy soils. Key words: Organic amendments, sandy soil, amelioration, fodder crops.

Application of dextranases in sugarcane factory: Overcoming practical problems

Dextranases only have a small market and low volume sales compared to many other industrial enzymes. Consequently, research and development efforts to engineer properties of dextranases to specific conditions of industrial processes have not occurred and are not expected soon. This book chapter highlights the difficulties associated with the practical application of dextranases, that are sometimes applied to hydrolyze dextran in sugar manufacture when bacterial deterioration of sugarcane or sugarbeet has occurred. Less than optimum application existed because of confusion about where to add the dextranase in the factory/refinery and which commercial dextranase to use. The wide variation in activity of commercially available dextranases in the U.S., and a standardized titration method to measure activities at the factory are discussed. Optimization by applying “concentrated” dextranase as a working solution to heated juice is described. Promising short-term technologies to further improve industrial dextranase applications are discussed, as well as the long-term outlook.

Modification of Co-Generation Plant in a Sugar Cane Factory for Reduction of Power Deficit

Modification of Co-Generation Plant in a Sugar Cane Factory for Reduction of Power Deficit