by Research Deptt. SugarUdyog

ABSTRACT:

Presences of fine Bagacillo particles in juice have detrimental effect in juice clarification. Bagacillo 
is used as filtering aid in juice clarification. Some fine bagacillo particles passes through O.C. filter 
screen and recirculates in the process. Authors studied the impact of these fine bagacillo particles and steps taken to minimize the re-circulation. Some fine bagacillo particles from mixed 
Juice having size less then opening of D.S.M screen also enters the process.

INTRODUCTION:

Modern preparatory devices such as: Fibriser, shredder etc have given to increase in preparatory Index. But it has given problem in juice clarification by giving fine bagacillo particles in juice. Fine
bagacillo particle entry to boiling house can take place from following sources.

1. From mixed juice particles passing through D.S.M. screen having size less than the opening of D.S.M. screen.

2. From bagacillo blower, used as filtering aid. Muddy juice is filtered through screen of 625 holes per square inch. Opening of screen is 0.5 mm. Particles of smaller size passes through it.

3. Due to fine preparation bagacillo prticles floating in the air in mill house area spreads in the nearby area . Some bagacillo particles also comes from bagacillo blower chute leakage.These particles deposits on open surface/tanks in boiling house.

ROLE OF BAGACILLO PARTICLES IN JUICE PROCESSING:

There are five colouring matters in sugarcane juice.

1. Chlorophyll.

2. Xanthophyll.

3. Anthocynin.

4. Saccharatin.

5. Tannins. 


Among these colouring matters saccharatin is associated with fibre of cane(1.).This colourless pigment gives yellow colour when juice is treated with lime. So its removal is essential before liming. Saccharatin also reacts with iron and oxygen paricularly in alkaline solution and forms dark coloured compound(2.). O.C. filter juice @15-20% on cane, is added to mixed juice so it gives re-circulation of non sugars. The fine bagacillo paricles used as filtering aid contains maximum pith portion. Pith portion is responsible for purity drop from clear juice to filterate juice. Purity drop should be 4 to 10 units. Generally colour developing compounds and accumulation of non sugar is more in pith than fibre(3.). Fine bagacillo particles in juice go to pan floor. It also works as neuclie for false grain and sugar deposition starts on it. This is one of the possible reasons for false grain formation(4.). These bagacillo particles are hygro scopic in nature. So moisture absoption chances during sugar storage increases. It also increases the ICUMSA value of sugar. 

STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE BAGACILLO PARTICLES IN JUICE;


Following steps can be taken to minimise bagacillo particles in juice.

1. Double filteration of mixed juice by screens having opening 0.7mm 0.5 mm .

2. Filteration of filterate through vibro screens.(Mesh 100).

3. Filteration of mixed juice by rotary juice screen.

4.. Covering all open tanks & manholes.

5.. Covering the opening between mills and boiling house by asbes tos sheets & polythene sheets.

OBSERVATIONS:

Few others have made trial of above techniques as per avbailability of Resources. It was observed that reduction in colour value of sugar upto 40 ICUMSA units.

CONCLUSION:

bagacillo particles works as poison for sugar cane juice processing. So its removal at early stage is required. Economy of filteration of mixed juice through vibro screen also requires study. It will definitely improve the sugar quality.

For further study on reduction in ICUMSA colour of sugar contact us at sales@sugarudyog.com






REFERENCE:

1. "Handbook of cane sugar technology" By R.B.L.Mathur.

2. Suzor N.L.C., Causes of colour formation at the clarification station. Sugar Y Azucar, March 1976 Vol 71 No.3 Page 42-46.

3. Proceedings of 50th Annual convention of S.T.A.I. Pge M-9.

4. "Handbook of cane sugar technology" By R.B.L.Mathur.