Sucrose - liquid sugar

Liquid sugar are widely used in food and beverage industries, and is produced from beet or cane sugar. Depending the sugar quality, the color range is of raw sucrose is between 50 and 200 IU and needs to be reduced below 30 IU; the ash content has to be removed from 0,05-0,4% of DS to less than 0,015% of DS.

The standard layout is decolorization column followed by the demineralization on either mixed bed (one step), either a two steps de-anionisation followed by de-cationisation when there are not too high risk of precipitation in alkaline pH. A granulated activated carbon is employed to improve the organoleptic properties:

Crystallized sugar ->remelt -> decolorization-> Mixed bed demineralization -> GAC

Cristallized sugar -> remelt -> decolorization -> denionisation -> decationisation ->GAC

The decolorization is performed by passing the syrup at 3 BV/h on a Strong Base anion (SBA), macroreticular type, in one or two columns (in average during the life of the resin, 60% removal in one pass, 80% removal in two passes)

The demineralization on mixed bed is using a WAC and a SBA, with a volume ratio of 1:2 The demineralization process is more efficient on a mixed bed which can reduce the ash content in final product at less than 0,01% of DS

The demineralization in two separated column ( SBA -> WAC) instead of Mixed bed is also possible when there are not too high level of Alkali Earth metals (precipitating in alkaline condition of the SBA in OH form). Two columns in serial are more easy to operate than a mixed bed, and are offering better working capacity.

The regeneration will be performed thanks to NaCl + 0,5% NaOH for the decolorization step, and HCl for WAC, NaOH for the SBA. Some solution of regenerant exists using nanofiltration technology, reducing the cost and the disposal of waste regenerants.