Application of filtration in sugar refining

Abstract

The sugar manufacturing sector, reliant on sugarcane syrup, holds considerable economic and technical importance. Its processes involve purifying, decolorizing, and crystallizing sugarcane juice, traditionally achieved through methods like defecation, sulphation, phosphatation, and carbonation. Achieving a consistently high level of clarity and low color in the juice production process is a challenging endeavor. The challenge becomes significantly more difficult due to variations in the incoming juice properties resulting from differences in cane variety, soil composition, growing conditions, weather fluctuations, and seasonal variations. While conventional methods have served well historically, evolving environmental regulations and the need for enhanced sugar quality at reduced costs demand adaptation. Novel techniques like membrane filtration, particularly promising for its potential to improve clarity and reduce color, are gaining attraction. The sugar industry has had a longstanding interest in using membrane filtration to improve quality and as a pre-treatment for producing value-added products. Membrane filtration offers the potential for improved juice quality, providing clearer juice with reduced viscosity and noticeable color removal. Ultrafiltration of clarified sugarcane juice can be achieved through either spiral wound or flat sheet filtration systems utilizing polymeric membranes, or through tubular filtration systems employing ceramic membranes. This chapter comprehensively assesses the diverse applications of filtration techniques, particularly focusing on membrane technology, within the sugar industry. The aim is to meticulously explore the efficacy and potential of various filtration methods, notably membrane technology, in optimizing processes within the sugar production sector, thereby enhancing quality, reducing environmental impact, and potentially uncovering avenues for innovation and cost efficiency. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.