, . -.

8. CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION
t . FUNCTION
The various grades of massecuites afte
r completiort of the &ugar cy&tafliAation
contain sug ar crystals together with the P,O t:~
mother liquor and the next ""6ka1 M'1
separate the crystalline sug ar, from the ) ,_ tt;
molasses which is a thick liquid. Th . ~a
kno wn as purging or 'cur ing ' is effected fJo r.
in centrilugal machines, 1n the ptoceM. (,I
sug ar manufacture from cane the sug ar 'ffl'rif.tr
separated from first or I A' ~ i t e •
air drie d and conveyed to packing hou &team CA
se while the sugar& from the remaining
are put back in process either in the form m~
of seed ma gm a or a& melt- The final ~
i.e. the mo the r liqu or from final mas
secuite is sen t out of the proceM hou
weighing for storage awa y from the pla se afttt
nt while the molasses &om the other ma
are pum ped to pan floor for reboiling in seecui~
vacuum pans, Efficient purging of maM
centrifugal sep ara tion of sug ar from m eCU i~ M
ol ~ has a great bea ring on -
(a) the qua ntu m of massecuite boiled,
{b) recirculation of sug ars and non-sug
{c) qua lity of white sug ar and final mol
ars, · .,
asses purity.
Tw o types of centrifugal machines are
employed in sug ar ind ustr y viz. batch
and con tinu ous centrifugals. In the pas machines
t two decades considerable advance has
wit nes sed in the des ign s of centrifu been
gals in respect of automatic operation,
efficiencies and capacities and control higher
-systems which hav e contributed to imp
in pro ces s efficiencies. rov eme nt,

2. CENTRIFUGAL STATION
The centrifugal stat ion is invariably loca
ted on ground-floor, the operating plat
centrifugal machines bei ng abo ut 1.75 form of
m. above the gro und . Below the.
pla tfor m are installed mix ers or convey operating
ers. The machines are grouped accord
function they are des ign ed for; and are ing to the
separated for each typ e of massecuite like
1be entire centrifugal stat ion comprises A, B, C.
besides the centrifugal ma chi nes -
(i) pugmills for receiving masscuite from
crystalliser or ma gm a from mixers,
(ii) ma gm a mixers wh ere in the sug ar from
puriJing massecuite is dropped.
(iii) conveyers for aug ar
(fu) molasse5 receiving tan ks,
(v) control panels, air-compressor, water-h
eater.
(vrJ pum ps for ma gm a and molasses wit
h necessary pip ing as major units.

326

I,
 ~f'\JG AL SErARA lTON .

3. BATCH CENTIUFUGALS
.
A rentrlf ugaJ machi ne e95ent ially,.'-onsu:t -
s of-
{a) revolv ing basket with drive arrangement,
(b) n,onit or casing .
. . ·
In a batch centrif ugal machin e the baue .
suppo rted on a heavy vertical shaft w·th ~ _JS a cylindncaJ drum with
perlorati.ona, .
basket is open at. the top as well 85 at th:bottnve •~ange ment at thr ~- Nonnany tfw
~ wher:95 bottom ~ closed by •while
at the time of taking the massecuite charge o odmunng
axw
. . th . r runnm g, the top • kept nn.n
chargi ng, e f..X_~p~~ lc~eing the conical seU-dischargmg . machines . -r--·
· with no bottom
cover. The petl8ia1e~!'ij~ISk t IS
· 1. . .
med with w,rega utt and a perforated brass liner for
. ---- - - as e
s.
allowi ng the separa ted ~olass es to flow out, w~ile retaining the sugar aysta1
~c>V~./ \..,p,,,ay --- .
The,b asl{,._~t 15 sw:i-o und~ by ~ :vced casing know a.s monitor casing which is open at the
1- •

running. "lht
top and IS provid ed with sliding covers for closing the machine while
opening of the casing is the same as that of the basket top and the covers ~ so shaped
•
curing of
to allow the shaft to rotate freely. In the baskets of centrifugals particularly for
high grade masse cuites , are suspen ded water and steam pipes fitted with
nozzJes.
nical sugar
vertica lly throug h the top of casing for washing the sugar. A mecha
discharging ploug h is mount ed on the top of casing.

~CENTRIFUGAL FORCE AND GRAVITY

4.L Centri fugal force -In a centrif ugal machin e revolving at high speed
the centrifugal force
brings
exerted on the mass consis ting of sugar crystals surrou nded by viscous liquor
r liquor passes
about the separa tion of mothe r liquor from the sugar- aystals The mothe
ed on
through the perfor ations of screen and the basket while the sugar crystal s are retain
square of the
the wall of the bask.et lining. The centrifugal force varies directly as the
is expres sed
periph eral speed and mass but is inversely propor tional to the radius . 1bis

---
,.MY..
2

r
Where; Fis the Cen~ ?al force
r : radius ol gyration inJR"·
Mi.e.ma&&ia ~ orW= Mg
g . /
8 being force of gravi ty• 9.8 m/s/s and
W • Weight in J<g.
1
/. For one J<g, weight of material M-• 9-81 • 0.102
 . '. . . - -,-- -- - - - -.....,.,....M'."'ft.....
' .' . - . -.. . . . . ' . . ' ...."'11
J
. ' ' - . ---"-l!Ui! .... . ,
128
- · b-.ed on m.ut, one kg mw ii dMi' a:111 :of body~-~·,
When«..'V'-'I calcuJationl are - -.- . _-v--,.._
J(;Jogram,
· 2ff x n . OS
NowV•---O·l . n ~
' "'· ' . and
. Where n • rtrvolutiorw per minute ol the machiM
v. tang'"'.'tial velocity in mJt,CC.
2M
the angu.la.r velocity "' • ·60
n,u, ! p. (mtdr) mwr in terms of angular veJocity..
Effect of ,peed and diamder-U we consider a centrifugal with bubt dwmttea ol 1015-. •
_ running at two 'different speeds lCXX> rpm and 1500 rpm.. the fon:e dneloped will bt 2.25 -
time, with the latter &peed (1500 rpm.) ovtt that when NIDaing at 1000 rpm and the111ne
machine when rotating at 1250 rpm. will dnelop gravity fOIU 1.56 times more. A.
- regards the influence of diameter of the basket compand to a machine with basbt ·
diameter of WlS m. in the machines of- · -
(a) 1065 mra dia. and
(b) 1220 m. dia.
The centrifugal force will be 1.05 times and 1.2 times respectively the speed remaining the
same at 1000 r.p.m.
, . With batch centrifugals the thickness of Llyer of the II\M8eCWte in the basket varies from 100-
. 150 mm. and the centrifugal force acting on the sup, in contact with screen will be much
greater than on the sugar in the exposed surfa:e of ttw ll'Ylla near the lhatt TIie mean
centrifugal force exerted on the entire mw in the machine will have to be based on mean
equivalent radius which is given by the equation.
3 3
2 R -R
R = 1 2
3 3 R2 - R2
J 2 . •
Wh~re .R1 _is th~ radius at the screen. Ki at the inner wall ol sugar and R, is the JDe8ll
radius while thickness of sugar wall is aep. eJ p! cl by <Ra.;_ JY. · ·
The_ centrifugal f ~ of machines is expa e ~ in maim to lbe ~ of gaa+;ly whidl_• ·
equivalent to weight.

W = Mg. Since centrifu~~

becomes
f- f
.
·

= Me'R, lbe Jalio· of O!i4vifuf911 bee -~ ~-~

: . _ · .· _ . .
·

G =F = M<.iR 3
p Mg .
•

'
Where R, Ri &. R, are expressed in m..
.
I S ~ ~ - - - - ~ -~ ~
CiiNllllHJGAL SEPARATION
329
s. CONSTRUCTION
5.1. Dasket
S.1.1. Th~ baskets are mnde of special steel and a ( uffi . thi -. . · _·.
cen trifugnl force for h · . re O 5 cient ckness, to withstand the
. . w lch they are designed. Perforations are drilled for rovidin ·
drAmnge of molasses and the more the O • th d . . P g
penmgs e ramage area will be more but the
strength of the basket will be diminished H b .
~ f
p~r om m~s
t •. •
st k . · ence a proper a1ance with respect to
IS ruc without sacrificing the strength of the basket which is subjected to
high cen~ifugal f~rce. Hoops are fitted on the outer periphery of the basket facing the
curb seehon for reinforcement to impart additional strength as an extra safety factor The
bas.ke_ts are dynamically balanced to ensure true running and the welded secti~ are
~xaml~ed by X-ray once in few years during off-season particularly after they have been
m service for some years.
.-
S.1.2. The perforated basket is lined with two types of screens-
(r) the screen in contact with smooth basket is a brass wire mesh netting with openings
of 5-9 mm. interposed between the basket wall and the smooth brass liner which
retains the sugar. Another type of backing screen is 'stabbed' liner made of pwiched
special steel or brass sheet,

(ii) A perforated brass sheet covering the backing screen of 0.69 mm. diameter opening
and 62 holes per square c.m. of area OR about 100 openings per cm2 area each of 0.51
mm. dia OR tapered slot openings of 4.0 mm. length and 0.3 mm. width on the inside
and 0.7 mm. on the o~tside. The liner thickness is 0.8 mm. The last one is quite
common in Indian plants.
Tromp suggests backing liners of 4 inash iron gauze in contact with the basket followed
by 7 mash brass gauze over which is fitted the brass liner. 1 Thus the two wire gauzes
should facilitate flow of mother liquor to the curb. The liners should be fitted so as to
overlap in the direction of basket rotation. The liners before fitting must have length
somewhat larger than the internal circumferenc~ of the basket to avoid any gap
uncovered and the size should be cut so as to keep minimum overlap since the double
layers would offer greater resistance to molasses flow. This overlap is usually 25-35 mm.
while after fittings the total overlap is around ti().00 mm.
Any damage to screens either due to some foreign matter striking it or on account of
wear must result in sugar passing into molasses, which can be noticed by careful watch
on the sugar grains in the samples of molasses emerging from machine. But during the
season the damage to screens results in loss of capacity at the centrifugals and
replacement of damaged screen has to be carried out by skilled mechanic with minimum
loss of time.
S.1 .3. The basket is open partially at the top and bottom, being partly covered by circumferential
lip of about 15 cm. width subject of course to capacity and different design features. The
• lip can be either in horizontal plane or slightly sloping and it prevents charged
massecuite from leaving the basket during motion. The volumetric capacity of the basket
is defined by the space between the screen and the circumference of the inner edge of the
l'ip, which ia about 14-15% diameter of basket.
 , CANI SUGAI ~A C' IU II JN
_
_, -
11w .,...#'f ~f lt'
hM • ..,,,_
opening •t the
bottom to alloW d ~ p of
tral bottom opemng 11 covered
111gu. +or111111M
t dn1gn• the cen by a cone_
,ts.15tnl ,nd ,vnntng tn mot .
the bottotrl by a ,pindle wh
~-' kt- n,. bltket t. euP 1ed ich has ita top beaict.
tJ. t r ~ to CM ,y ,td ' ofJ"" ~t ,.h a sui tab le coupling.
Th
dri~• t rouzy. I ce ~ chrmnfum e sp in dl e• made ofhigti
_. •- ' atld In tofflf do l~ i~ . 8~ 1 ; the &p plated to impart C01'rOSfan
~t tin jndle ha s to be ol robust design and
,..,. g pr_ _,. n,e tu~pffl&•ondea ecial fea
,,,,., ...,,
, ha t incMJ 'Ofate sp tur es Jn thi l daign. The application of
-
.,.td, fflMIU(adUrt1' .
troHing gyration an d vi·br f
driving pt,Wtt • nd.. ~ •tt'
eo ,w dff •ti tnt in the uci ,1gn fllp
baD and roUn bearinlJ',
1
fr=
a~ safety of the basket. Th e sp ind
a 101 1S are major
le is IU8pel\ded in

J.J.. D,f~....Upto Ii/ ti. belt dri . iJ ~ were ·quite , .

common in IN lia . .
ven ~~i uga avity an d high sp n industry but later
eed ma ch ine
ttwy wm rapidly lacedhichy thr~grg
vtttical electrtc morep h the coupling transmit the rot
s directly driven by · i
tol", w ary drive of ~ o f
et.ctric motor to the untrilugal spi
ndle, J

Plukl d ri v e ~ incorporate
the principle of tra ns ~i on o!
coupliflg while m,ployittg &.ingle power through fluid
&peed mo tor .1! 'e c°?pling co
on motor w it, whlch tht ou gh ns is~ of wh ee l mounted
me diu m of oil, dn ve s the
centrifugal tpindle. Olanges in & tur bin e wh ee l fitted to
peed of machine for different
curing etc. att dependent on the op era tio ns like charging,
control of oil supply to flu id
ffllChina with fluid drive ha coupling. High speed
ve been installed in many
particularly !or high grade masse mo de m pla nts in India,
cuite cu rin g.
Commc,n. type of e1ectric drive is
provided by four-speed pole
mo tOf. Ont c,! the importa ch an gin g A.C. electric
nt features of this motor is the
givet partial rf:«JVtty of energy reg en era tiv e bre ak ing which
by feeding the bra kin g en erg
y int o the mains.
Yet another type of electric drive
is the Ward-Leonard system
0 ,C, Th ii?,C, drive is favoured on account of eas
e of sp ee d co
in wh ich the motor runs on
ntrol an d minimum power
oort&>umphon, Factory A.C. sup
ply is changed to D.C. by convert
11~ ~ d, of dil ers for this pmpose.
(erent operations of cycle arc
· _
Charg,ng
200 rpm ,
lnt n,rc,,,d i.aU! cuting
750 rpm .
Plowing -
rpm ,so
I« lJat bott6tn cmtrlfu la
pow duanf;Jng mo tt~ : bo employed mostly in purging 'A .- .
- a ve ' ~ i t e s . W ith a multiple
cycJH. The motort art ~ i - d 8peed can no t be al
f
lot 'C ' mAM4-f-Uite w ring. ~ r· 0
~ maximum charg
tered with the present &eqwme
y of 50 ·
modem ba tdl ma<:hi fb , e, •uch 11
p act1ee co~plete cycle of differ 25 fo r'A', 20 for 'B' and 6
ent ma ue cu lte ~ in
3 to 4 mJnufN /or A curing
34 mi nu te. lot B curing
- 12 to 15 mm ute l lot C CUrmg
,
 cn,.'TRIFUGAL SEPARATION
331 · ·
The time. of acceleration for high speed machin ~ purging
· ·es employed ,or · h.1gh gra
· d e·
massecwtes has to be minimum~...,_ the tim. 1 · therr
· case is
· short, but for final
• • • e eye es m
.-&A"'-11;;
1 15
massecwtes ~ advantageous to have comparatively slower rate of acceleration to ·
prevent packing of crystals which is unfavourable for passage of molasses through -
interestitial space of the crystals.

6. OPERATION
6.L The entire operation of centrifugal separation in purging of massecuite involves
following steps

(1) Ta.king charge-After start of machine, the valve of the pugmill which stores
massecuite or magma for centrifugals, is opened and the massecuite charged when
the machine is nmning at low speed of 200-300 rpm. The pugmill valve is closed after
the basket is filled to the desired extent During charging the massecuite climbs up
the screen wall of the basket due to centrifugal force.
(iJ) Running at intermediate speed-The machine speed is raised to about 700-750 rpm.
and it is nm at this speed for short period before it is accelerated to the highest speed
to prevent packing of sugar in basket
(iii) Running at full speed-After short duration at intermediate speed the centrifugal
nnming is accelerated to its maximum speed In the case of machines for 'A'
massecuite curing the modem machines are run at 1450-1500 rpm. with the use of
electric motors of 50 cycles current Maxinu.1~ separation of molasses from sugar is
ensured and the machine speed is brought down to 50 rpm. at the end of spinning.

(w) Ploughing-At about SO rpm. the sugar is scraped off, an operation termed as
ploughing when the bottom cover of centrifugal basked is lifted and sugar
discharged into either conveyor or mixer.
(r,) Alter the ploughing stage one complete cycle of operation is over and machine ready
for restarting.
In aJJ. modem installations c,f batch centrifugals the above operations are controlled either
automatically or in some cases partially aul'?mated The timing of each phase as also the
~ ol operation is set on a ~ and controlled according to time-setting.

6.2. l\'atu wuh and &taming

UL Water wash is given in the machines in A, Band second purging of final massecuites, while
steam .is applied only in A purging. The hot water wash is· usually -started when the
I 1

machine reaches full speed but some-times it is given in two stages: for a few seconds at
intttmed.iate speed to assist the heavy molasses run off before the machine attains
maximum speed and thereafter the remaining wash after high speed is reached. The
itea1J1 wash follows the water-1-.•ash at high speed ~ A' massecuite purging.
1

'-1.2.. Water wash is applied after nearly three-fourth of the molasses has been separated and in
, high speed machines it is started after nearly half the period of running at high speed is
 t~ANft 11 IUAM MAHlll•Aefu,-
fff ~
· · ,· •..,,rnit• lhP I'"' iud ot w•t~
- .""'IA
over, f.1t>pett\C1U\II (UI d,u, ',YJ
11iHJ1,:;w,.-n lh# ,,.,...rny ,,, w•h w•t.t, •1•pU, ttt1.,. ii I ~ ··.
AccorJlng lo Den,, 111'1 ru "' otl 111d th, riM tit II- .,·_.
,.
ot •uKar li o,cprst,..,"d "~ ,.mdat . . ~ '
r, .
100 • J' .
r• • 100 . ,."i 4·W
r• • Purity ,i w11~1i~c1 liUf\l1r
r • Pu rity n( uo.-WJ\"lwd IIUJl"r
W • Quantit y o( Wfttc,~r r»/iJ m a~ (•
uil,..,
· S
6.2..3, uper.. h,... 1-..,d wa,ah. Wfth!r- C'c:>nd,m11nt0. wntJtt umJ~•r pt10
heat~d to 115n - izsljc II) lw --.ur'• of 3,& kg /C ~ ftr •u r•
hl,J lru:r#,HinKIY ww,, J· ln pI ' f • ff..- h ._,.
centrifugals. Sup,~rh,--awd wM II(!# 0 •rn
1·
n "" ,.,~
h.rWnt~r howw.,r do,~, not r11 i,),~
the ,wne ,xrent a• th~ t)ft'arn mov1 Uw moiMJJr8 ol tt ,~ to
but for commim1"1 cry1t11l
can be removed ()n the hopp 1Upr, thl fffllltfflnl mOWt,q
er by hot air,
The 6pr11y no1.1.la~.s havf lo b~
d1.111lf',Md ln 1ur.h • m,mMr tha
uniform over th~ cf\ tir~ h,, iBht t this dlMribuUon c,f waa.r ~
at 1ugnr lny,!r, Wa,-h w1~r
Jugar. contUmptlon ii about &"/4 on
6.3. The molu se, teparn tA!d in
tlt,i lnlUal pha~ whlc.h mor
mother liquor of the m a~ (:uit.t t or ~ corr•p<.md• to th , pu
, LI --~parafflly J,.d to a umk an rity cl
mo!M6et , like 'A' lwavy '13' hr d Mnt to pan-floor• 'lwavy'
avy,
The mola~ e co l~h~d fre>m co
ting a!~r application of wot~r
, ame pu rity ot the ma~,euite w11h it Utually ol aboot th,
wh ich al.6o i, pump,~d to pa
from whk.ih 1t l• ob tai~d and IA tffmed 11 Ught
n floor, mol.uln
6.4. Double purging---&m.e
ma Me(uitc• have to be pury;e,d tw
at each , t.age, Th ij ii. particular ia, (t,r obtaining high purity
ly eJffitf\Ual for curing of low tu pt
purgir,g, the mM~uitu., ii •grad• ma-«uite1, In doubll
curtd without u-, of w hh
applica tioo of wH h and the w at « or with vny JUtll
1ugar I• nuadt Into magma in
of li~t_ mt>la6M._ of the 1ame. mlx.r by cont1nUOU6 addition
maucu:ult. or wa~,, Thll ma
or d~tnbutot above the batt.! gma ii pumptd into pugnun
pury;ngare ry of all llrw ur ke rt and rtpurpcL The advantage,
of double
(a) foolproof "~paratltm o! ~a
vy and light mo1MNI,
(b) high purity of tu pr Mttur
ttd, ,
.., The dliadvantaga, of thM
ayttom It. In,
(a) the Jncr~ue In numbft, of c.
ntnfupl macM ,,.~
(b) cryit.1 du m p to Mnnt
nt .n t in pusnping "' masma
_(c) req,.dtffl'.llftt ol additional to afterworkar batt.try and
•qulpm.nt_Uke mi• r, pump,
Jn &( )IM plant, al die m a- .u
plpina et4 · - · - ··
double purp all 'C' or l~ I
,., ,. ar, doubt. eurtd bu& die fflOlt t.OOUft0'1
tnu.«ui111; prattle• it to
 333 ·
~ G A L SEPARATION
and d tage s
I< . . . . on of big grai n whi te sug ar a vai:' .~
eep mg in view the requirements of producti
ration the following syst em .o f cun ng IS
of emp loyi ng min imu m equ ip~ ent for ope
reco mm end ed.
gravity machines with thor oug h separ-c1tion
(z) Single pur ging of 'A' massecuites in high . ·
of 'A' light and 'A' hea vy molasses.
ous
(iz) Single pur ging of 'B' massecuites
and one inte rme diat e· massecuite in con tinu
'B' whe n the sug ar is to be used as seed
·
centrifugals with provision for double curing ·
for 'A' boiling.
ite in high grav ity bat ~ mac hfae s.
Alternatively : Double purg ing of 'B' massecu
(iii) Dou ble pur ging of 'C' of final massecu
its in con tinu ous centrifugals.
can be
erent types of massecuites prev alen t in Ind ia ·
6.5. The syst em of ope ratio n for purg ing diff · ~
· desc ribe d as und er- - ·
e the sug ar sepa rate d is sen t for pac ldn g
1. 'A' Cur ing -In 'A' massecuite purg ing sinc
exercised in rem ovin g the last trac es of
as final pro duc t of manufacture, extra care is
dry ing the sug ar in the mac hine s. To
mol asse s adh erin g to crystals and also partially
asses is followed by app lica tion of hot -
achieve this objective removal of bulk of mol
densate of 70°-80°C is spra yed tlu:o ugh
- wat er was h for 15-25 seconds. Usually con
h is imm edia tely followed by app lica tion
noz zles for this pwp ose and this water was · '
h wat er of 120°-130°C.
of stea m at 5-5.5 Kg/ cm or superheated was
2

-In this case the mol asse s sep arat ion is

2. 'B' or inte rme diat e massecuite cur ing
-pur ity, whi ch • is acc omp lish ed · by
imp orta nt and the sug ar has to be of high
bac k in proc ess eith er as_see d or mel t,
emp loyi ng hot wat er wash. As the sug ar is put
be free from molasses. .
n_o stea min g is required, but the sug ar mus t
m
3. 'C' or fina l mas secu ite cur ing -In
'C' curi ng the aim is to sep arat e max imu
sug ar resu ltin g from redi ssol utio n of
amo unt of molasses with min imu m loss of
er was h is eith er com plet ely avo ided or
sug ar on acco unt of wat er wash. Thus the wat ·
if requ ired the wat er to be app lied has to
be abso lute ly min imu m. Any sug ar goi ng
as far as the man ufac ture of sug ar is
alon g with this fina l molasses is lost forever
of the process.
con cern ed since this molasses is thro wn out
rme diat e curi ng foll owi ng poin ts nee d· to be·
In resp ect of use of wat er was h for A and inte ·
kep t in min d : .
the mas secu ite whi ch imp arts fluid cha ract eris tic to the
(z) The surp lus mol asse s in
s whi ch fills the void s in the mas s ;f
massecuite is readily removed while the molasse
s adh erin g to crys tal is still mor e diff icul t
crys~,als is difficult to separate. The molasse
g is to sep arat e the mol asse s occ upy ing
to rem ove and the pur po~ of wat er w~ hin
surr oun din g the sug ar crys tals .
the spac e betw een crystals as well as the film
and
(ii) Ap, !'l~ tion of wat er is invariably
acc o?'p anie d by diss olut ion of sug ar,
or. Thi s nec essi tate s use of · t th
enri chin g the sug ar con tent of mot her hqu JUS e
des ired qua lity of sug ar. .
r~~ ed am o~t of wat er which will give the
 CANE SUGAR MANUP
334 . .
- - ~ gal 1118chine cycle invo lves -
'-'- C)'d tof oper ation -A centrifu
(•1 Char ging,
(i1) accel ~atio n
(ii) running at full speed
(iz7) disch argin g. . .
. · • g the ~e required at each phas e of operation
For •A' massecwte purgm is 11Au2ri:.
. - - , 11
follow&-
<•1 Oarg ing 3().,co5ec.
(ii} Running at inter medi ate and full spee d
90Sec.
(iii) Brak ing
lSSec;
(m) disch argin g
t 30-40Sec.
;
i Total Time . 3 min. -3 min 10 Sec.
-1
Wate r wash of 5-10 seconds is many times appl ied soon after charging before the
machine reaches full speed, whic h facilitates heav y mola
sses separation. The second
t wash of 10-20 sec. is given soon after the full spee
d is reach ed follo wed by steaming far _
15-20 sec. Tile total cycles of one machine in one hour
are abou t 15-20 for both •A' and "B'
curin g. For 1J' and intermediate massecuite purg ing
the time cycle is almo st the same as
for.,A' excep t that no steam application is requ ired. ·· .~
1
For C' or final massecuite purg ing the time requ ired
at each phas e of oper atim is
approximately as unde r-
1. Char ging
60-90sec.
2. Intermediate speed
60-90sec.
3. High speed
5-6IIUI\.
4. Deceleration
406) sec.
5. Discharge
Tota l Time
2-3JIUII.
' 10- 12•
Thus for final massecuite curing a machine will complete
about 5-6 cycles per hour."-

7. FACTORS AFFECTING CENTRIFUGAL PERFORMA

NCE
7.1-- Wor k at the ~arlier cryst allisa tion stage s, particularly
a~ the pan statim · · ··
• the cent rifug al perfo rm~c e. An important consideration
mass ecui te to be purg ed Lil respect of- in thle

(a) Uniformity ol grain size and

(b) viscosity of mother liquor.
 oa the laf tr'o lm pl' .m da JB
tdn S -
~en grams hav e ii pd :in g dfe ct
(a) Cn in ~
P:'.. .ge of J'1'10l. diff icu lt Fal se gra in m oetgft; -~
*
i:.m a6n n ia ~ _ac
rs ~
the
s to unc i bl size of su ga r~
and 9ilX 2 ~ _,.
~ lead 0 ' g,w 15
iUe eD al lbe 1 •et • -
e'\"e n I D

t o ~ the 9oi ds in lhe ays tils ta the

al
effa.:tiwe ~ ol pas sag e lt.a :eb j Jfa tiu g .Jwa:sefy flr iie i•A -PI
ed ,a, b if+,gals a lqs ' ol mo hss n a.
red uce the i:-: me d
mo the r liquor. Aia ny tim es in hig h spe
.indicatim qf tme iW grm size al
liUP' aysa!s,.
an the sug,u- wa ll which giv es dea r tJ!f blc rle d
p01tioo i s ~ 1hr a::rem hairs caa
In exbE!1te case wh en fine gra in p1U
al mixed mr , w size d sug ar an n
. -,w- -JdS
H5
In '"C' ma sse out e spu atin g the pro ble m e al die WaJS ID
pro por tion in vie w ol the viscous
nat ure ol mcJasses co ~ w- i• I f OnL < to ~ '--" '
to inc •e lbe pe ■ A al + • ++ n
mr +i~, mtp nw e mr ing in soc h cas
~ • e is SE
,,_ .__
ger per iod s at iot e oe r 1 .speed
Law ~ .......-,....-:it._y
speed and nm the ma chi ne for lon ,-. nm di bet ter tbaa fbe
old er_ des ign c:an han dle suc h bad rna
cen trif uga ls ol sug ar ma ss iD tbe
bat dt hig h spe ed ma chi nes in vie w ol less dense pa lia g al
mo dem g imp wiC S
h nmnmiform graZns dom ,le pw giu
former. For high gra de IDaS1SieCUifes 1'1if lep 01 ies and
are affected. In any cas e the irw
ma tter, tho ugh the ove rall results 11ite , a ww if
min gs in boi ling and cry stal lisa tioo m1espect of gra in size al m
sha nm k« unifi.w wit !, al
effe ctiv ely tif.e d at.c ent rifu gal stat ion and th e~ res ult al Jac
be l'PC
w it lea ds ID
ple d wit h higher' 1a::in 1;la6oo Mu tww
grain size is poo r quality ol sug ar cou
rnassearite pur gin g.
hig her sug ar loss in the case of final
nwiSSltCUi:b?s ri5c nsit y plays a auc
ial .role in 91e e arm
Cb) VISCOSity--ln cur ing .low gra de brings ikM n
the ~tr ifu gal s. Hig her visc osit y ol ~ and mo dle c Jiqtxll
effe ct at tals 1o the screen..
the rate al sep ara tion ancf pas sav
- of n,olasses thro ugh the voi ds al ays
•rite t.o bri ng dow n ~
11w ; situ atio n can be imp rov ed
by hea ting and dilu tion of m .
rise in ma sse orit e teto1Etatirre c.an
bri ng do wn
hea ting is pre ferr ed as 5°C
v ~ . But gra de np. ecai fe to
risc osi ty by ~5 0% and it is a,ki sa.b Je to reh eat the low
the be avo ide d as far as
°C bef ore cur ing and dilu tion is to
sat ura tion temperature ie. 52° -54 ma 2 :uib :s
atio n of pw gin g teq uin :d for final
possible. The ma in rea smi for .longer dm nat ure of mother liquor lo be separa
ted.
'A' ma sse cui tes is the visa Jm
as compared to ing are
-: r •,~ ove r ma tur e can e or stal e- can e usu ally difficulties in -C- cur
Wh en pro centrifugals off er
ced m acc oun t of ver y hig h visc osit ies. The ver tica l continuous
exp e, ien
a good solution to the pro ble m of ha
nd lin g~ low gra dP JM e:uit ts.
~ in regard to its
7.2,,, Precautions .in ope nti on-
Wi th fav our abl e characteristics of
by spe cia l care
. purging quality the penormance "! the centrifugals will be gov ern ed
cia l
1es ped of the ope ra.t ima l feat ure s. Som e poi nts . which des en" e spe
asc ise d in .
me nti m are as und er- -
d foe eac h pha se of the ma chi ne ope
ration
bal d, ma
_ cbi n~ Th e tim e fixe
(rl Cyc le of
nee ds lo be checked 9ff and on and cha
nges ma de in the settiugs ol the tim er to
(•) obtaD' ma xim um capacity,
(b) use min imu m was h wa ter.and

· (c) pro d& a good quality sug ar.

 336 CANE SUGAR MANUPACl'UJc
l.lN ~
U.1 Sc 1e en -Sc 1e en da ma ge ~ . . dicated by crystals passing int o
s:n i fina '1 ma ,ee cu ite pu mo laN a which
\ rt oft en. In partic rcr ing the ICl'eei1 L- - fleeda to
beo!'dlll!:.UUaae!G.~ u damage ula r ior .
to ecreen res ul~ in i~ ec ov ~a o- ·
~ ge t da ma ge d du e to ex ter •u~.
ble loa . of
na l obJect& lik e pae ces of
' • - to be In
~
metal f ~ g way to
bas ket .
Sc1ee.11 ha ve to be oe _, __.... after a couple of
an cu ho urs ' op era tio n for clearing
op en ing s blo cke d by crystals the .,. ._ ·
by use of wa ter or ste am . -•~
(iii ) Co ve n- Th e air NS _
hin g in run nin g ba tch ~ e
the molasses in the up pe s has a co oli ng eff ect which
r layers of mass wi th adverse dries
mo b 5 In Java air sat ura ted effect on the separation of
wi th wa ter at the same tempe
blown into the running bas rature of maHecuite was
ket wh ich im pro ve d the qu ali
speed ma du ne s.' In all the cai ty of 'C ' sugar even in low
trifugals the covers s~~ be
· running to prevent the ~l in
g an d dry ing eff ect of outside
kept dosed during
au. · _
(ii, ) Se qu mc ing -T o av
oid po we r kicks ari sin g ou
sp ee d centrifugals, wh ich are hig t of sim ult an eo us starting
h po we r co ns um ing un its it of high
ma ch ine s of a ba tte ry in a def is essential to start the
inite seq ue nc e so as to ma int
the cen trif ug al sta tio n. ain steady po we r load of

8. SELF DISCHARGING M
ACHINES
TIie ba ske ts of the se ma chl nes
are of ste ep co ne typ e wi tho
Di e bo tto ms of the se ba ske ts are ut an y bo tto m clo sin g COl1e.
conical in sh ap e wi th cir cu mf
is dro pp ed wi tho ut an y me ere nti al wa ll an d the sugar
cha nic al plough as it falls
ba ske t at the en d of spi nn ing by gra vit y fro m the wa lls of the
cycle wh en the ma ch ine co
bo tto m for A an d B ma chi me s t.o a ha lL Th e slope of
ne s is 45°-50°. Fo r dis tno
taking charge a dis c is mounted uti on of massecuite at the
on the sha ft inside the ba sk et. time of
dis tno ute the ch arg e by centrif 1ne disc serves to evenly
ugal force, on the scr een . Th
for ~A' or 'B' massecuite pu ese machines are mostly use
rging. Th e ma in dis ad va nta d
mo me nt of ine rtia and torque ge wi th thi s type is the hig
and consequently inc rea sed h
,fhe su ga r can no t be dri ed pro po we r requirement. Moreover
per ly as it ha s to drop of its ow
n acc ord .

9. AU TO M AT IO N OF CENT
~ RIFUGAL OPERATION
9..L M od em rug h sp ee d Cf fltr .

ifu ~ls op era tin g • batch mach

complete cycle of opc'Tabon .
ines Involve lo llo w~ etepe in CJ11
1 .·
(i) 6fartinb an d tak ing cha rge .
,
(i,),. opera111g at int erm ed iat e
ape ed of 750 rpm.
(iii ) acceleration to hig h ape
ed and running at hig h r,p eed
,· .
(iv) wa ter ~a sh and •te am
wa ah . ·
(v) separation oJ hen'Y and light
fractton. of mo tu .e. ,
 317
Cl!NTIUPUOAI~m:r•ArcATION

(t,/) Jo .· UoJ . .
w,;, lng i.pt.•P-d to 50 rpm, for dlv.Juirw,, of tuw-r,
l,tJffi introdl4·'!d for th~ ~ ffJJg,~,
in two W,IY'" /
lo P'~'"tnt dny ptt1 r Uec fttdt)Uldfi,m hu
g nrranl§1•m,mt and a,wther ~ paJ"tJal auwrna
tion.,
Ono cornplNt1 aut,Omatinn wUh rv~ycUn
In 1e•mio~on:ustic mn chl rtr. -
~
(1) lit ortJng cycl,J,
(ii) chnrging and
r, ~
arc manually conttoU.cd by the ope rato tin
(Iii) plt>ughJog the tJugar for di8cha·rge
remaining ph.u.t~ b<'ing contr,oJJ~d automat
kaJly ma«ordaJlC'- with the tim e set g
.
fixc•d on the timer,
.._ dilforcnt oovicc• ate adopted for dLa
rgillll 'e ~~ uir ~
. 9.2, In complete •ut om atk machint
secuite gate of the ma&SeCWte pugmill •
air..
quanUt y of mas sec uite , In one type the .rrw
on the curb top measures charge and
doses the
ope rate d and cha rge foel er mou nted
gat e and
o motor mechanism is connected to
disc har ge gat e of U,e pugmill. A serv e5 the
r. Thus the p06ition of feeler shoe regulat
controls the air-flow to the gate air cylinde ·
opening AJld closing of gate.
ic
be provides impulse for electropneumat
ln ano the r design mcas,uring electrode pro g as soon as the electrode tou che s .
gat e valv e of the pug miJ I. Dur ing cha rgin
ope rati on of ,
e is dosed.
the massecuite in the bask<.~ the gate valv
eleration starts
Aut om atic dia cha rge r-A s soo n as the spinning at high speed is over, the dec
9.3. ing the
g speed of 50 rpm. whe n the cone clos
and the mac hin e reaches the ploughin lica lly or
om of bas ket is rais ed by air ope rate d fork, The plough can be eith er hyd rau
boU uga ls the
pne um atic ally or electrically operated
depending on the design. In som e centrif
ents of
when not in use and the fou rwa y movem
ploughs remain locked inside the basket ar
upward also 'in' and 'ou t' dur ing sug
the disc har ger shoe viz. downward and erse ,,
ge ope rati on arc con torl lcd by airc ylinders. In one type of centrifugals rev
disc har ed in the
ctio n plo ugh ing is ado pted whe rein the basket revolves ~ low spe
dire sug ar
anticlockwise direction. The plough is
detached from the safety led ge and ent ers
.to its
rds. After discharge of sug ar it returns
wall of the ba_sket and moves downwa ch the
e! the basket discharge ope nin g after whi
original pos itio n and the bottom cone clos ant age
hin e rest arts its nex t cycl e by mov ing in the clockwise direction. The mai n adv
mac ge is •
n ploughing is that the sho e of the dischar
wit h this arrangement of reverse directio ugh to
hine during spinning pre ven ting the plo
in the dire ctio n of the rotation of the mac ge of trus
ning of the machine. But the disa dva nta
ent er the augor wall at high speed run and th•~
em lies in the seri ous trou ble face d when the sugar is ·not sufficiently dry,
,yst ed is
all coll aps es ov_e r t~e con e clos ~g ~e discharge valve, whe n the mo !or spe
sug ar-w sug ar
Tius problem of sud den dro ppi ng of wet
reduced and then the duec~1on rcv e~d .
of sugar. In centrifugals wit h ploughing
in
rco me by exte ndm g the dryu :1,g time
can be ove ·. · . ·
lem does not arise.
the eame direction as the basket this prob
n for
llqu or outflow a
• gutt er ii ·pro vide d behind the centrifugals wit h par titio
9.4. For mo ther atic and
,~p arat e collectio~1 ol ligh t and heavy molasses from the curb. In both semiautom
. usually
aration devices are · pro vid ed which are
.continuous centrafugnls the syrup sep
 CANI IUQt\1' M.\N• ~
. ,.~· ..... -
nI,, ~l•''"' •mt th• l'\11\ \\t1 fl,,m th, eurb ,,. MPIRllcl
- ..,
-·~'"
~:.="'
.
. Into
.

I""''!"'·"~;~ n~,'1--- ''"""' '" ''"''"~h " ,u,,.,tu,11 •po\lt Which la llaht 11\4
ltw lla\hl '"' h••WY m,\111..-.. tl"u"r ttulomatlcally, · · ~II\~

I.~ lo f'Ut\lll\AII\"
• ""'"'''"'r- ,~,tiAfttly ~,,,,·l,11t1 a,-. Jll'\lVldM whlch lnclude ·
..1.l.\dM
ll\t\\'1'"'~
(l) Ul,,n ,wl~'h t,'f t.nt ''"""'- •
(it) ""''' 11wll\~ ~f:H"''""'ll" ''""'~-.
(iM) u,nll ,wll\~ "" t'l'''»lh t,\\I ,Uie,·h.-.-N" v.-lv~
(if,t,) ,wtt\i\ It\ td\"I d,,WI, ",.-,·hlu~ wlw,, ttYt'4'th,n t~l'l'ltda the pNNt valu.

(V) """'P"'Y llh'I' .:

1n & m'1 paMI -.w"'""'l ll\ 1 ,,.-ttint'l A~ k".\"tl.'d tlm•n for macNnee an Which ._
dmt • adj,111-.d "\' H\'h phci~ ('1 "'""'hlnt, "l~r11tl,\t\ to ault the nqulnmtnt of lld\ IJpl
of ~l~ l\'I' • \-~th't')' ,\f l't'l\ll'lfnti"l nu,,,hbWI, ln order to avoid lilnultanto. ,
11wt~ c.\l dlf&iffl,t "'"''hl"~ "'"-'l'"'l" C\lllh'\,l l8 nl~ provided to avoid auddtn a._
dftaw U\d malnt~ll" tat~"ty J\\'WN' cou~umpU,1t,.
ln auklfflAtk '~1,trltt\~~\!4 ~,\m~ l~t,h:lfugc\l~ which have no recycling arranpment ha_ ID
be . .~ aftt"r l'\'t\\l'lt,Ht\l\ l'\f ~th ,·ydt1, Automation of centrlfugal operation has ltd
tt,,-

(a) bnP"''""'l rt'ff~\l'\l\A(\~ ll\ 1"tr-l})«t (\f unif,)rn\lty of optratlon,

<•> labllur tti,wlng tll,w~ lhtl tmU~ battt.!ry l'1 \.."t'ntrifugala can b.11\Wg,ed by few worbn.
and
(t) 11\41"-in,mn utUll'4'tlf'l\ of ln~toll~t ~pndty ln tvma of output.

}o. CONTINUOUS CliNTRlfUGAlS

10.L 'nw prindp"l t.1~~~ "!'_!_~~~~,(,f l>4'1td, nu:u:hln• for \.W\!!:lfupla aepuatlon are-
\_ )'r h~w rfHd~•"-'Y la, Uui u~ ,,f ~t\t'l'8)' ~ \ I l l of acc.;,at1on and bruk\a 11\ ~ c,cle .
· JW""lfflJ'lc-• ncahu~ o! m(,h.'1' whkh hu to haw dlffertftt 1p11cla for clUfl1 Ill...,.-,
\,· . OJ-'t'l"tk-alll.

(c-) .. IUWI ~ hm'1 1n dMU-HU\fJ anJ dl•:btralna, ~ t INlea\fOUf OI\ the put el
_"" JCNalgn~•• and mcad,bw&')' nu,nufacturua hu reaultecl tft lftl:IOCl\adlOft o f ~ •
c:-rnttifugat. liU\l'tt l '>t,0 ,uHl in th• w t put IMII have "l'be-td tM bitch
lot luw gr4hh, ""'~·ullu p\lJ'IU\I, Out of the two 1ft11or "'91 of
•rt-=
(Olt::..
n,ntrUug•hl th" rmJ,.,,- iyp• machlnll with horiaofttal ullue ftO . . . . .
but IJ,e, ':"~~~·.ti cr•nkn~ •~!~~t'1nel Wllh vvtlml ull 1ft II\
,-..v,hJuun•~,·tti,t~ • eona-.n lb HI\
b1du1df)', Jn-_
-aug•t_ lh•~-
uut ...tt•lltimmual •
prlndpl., . and .••~•~'.~~•~•,.. mo_
.,..,~.,J
aJ,~ arout. '
 CEN'TRIFuGAL SEPARATION. 339

10.2. Pusher-type ~achine-·

~ d ma~e r · · . d horizontal axis consists of cylindrical ste ed bask~t

ivi ed mto ~ ~tions of increasing diameter. The basket w1 screens~ its sides. 15
~pen at ho.th _oppa&tei!n~, and rotates at 600-1000 rpm. Inside the basket the massecuite
f~ at the mnermost section with smallest diamete~ by a pipe and gets distributed by ·
15

centrifugal force. A hydraulically operated piston with to-and-fro movement inside the
basket pushes the material from the smallest section to the succeeding larger on~s. The ,
~ugar co~es out con~uously at the open end of the machine while the molasses coll~cts
m the casing surrounding the basket. ·wash water is applied at one of the intermediate
stages through nozzle coMected to a ·water-pipe. 1his typt' of centrifugal is suitable only
for 'B' massecuite curing and the sugar is usually wet. The sugar crystals g~ aged as
they are pushed from step to step in these machines. . W·
10.3. Conical basket· vertical machines-Th e conical basket of vertical continuous machine is
perforated and lined with screens with either 0.06 mm. or 0.09 mm. opening holes~ ·
· an le of the conical basket is usuall 34° for final massecuite curing and 30° for
afterworkers or intermediate massecuite. The drive for machines is prov1 e ya moto.r
mounted behind the machine connected to the pulley at the bottom of the machine with
belts. ·

The top of the machine is open while the bottom shaped like cylinder is dosed. Some
manufacture rs prefer to connect motor directly to the machine. The basket rotates at
1500-2000 rpm. Wash water pipe is suspended in the basket with suitable nozzles, along
the wall.
Massecuite feed in some designs is arranged at the centre of the bowl or off the centre by
the side. On accow,t of centrifugal force the massecuite feed at the bottom rises upwards
the screen of the conical basket As it moves, the separation of molasses and sugar takes
place the molasses passing through the perforations of the screen to the curb. Washing of
sugar is effected continuously and sugar is discharged over the top rim into surrounding
annular compartment . For 'C' massecuite wash water application at the point of entry of
feed into the cane is preferred for reducing massecuite viscosity before it moves up the
screen surface. In one design steam is applied at the feed point while in some centrifugals
steam; admitted int~ massecuite feed pipe.•
10.4. ·Crystal breakage-O ne problem ~ated with operation of continuous centrifugal, which
precludes its adoption for white sugar massecuites is the damage to sugar crystals. The
breakage of sugar grain is the result of-
(r) erosion of crystals as the mass in centrifugals moves up mainly due to thin layer,
. (ii) impact of crystals against_the wall of annular casing as they are, thrown out of the
, - basket. .

· With the existing designs the former ie, effect due to erosion seems un~voidable and the
se(Ond cause of damage is sought ~o be tackled by providing outer casing of v~ry large
diameter so as to reduce the speed of impact of crystals against the casing wall.
According to _Hugot the speed of impact of crystals is 8:fOund 9-18 m/sec. 6 Retention· of

i,
J, •'
t
CANE SUGAR MANUPA.CTUQ IN~--
340 •·
· ~ ·
. uld cons1•der1bly bring down the break age of t"Pu.h i- ~ -- ,,
more molasses with sugar w ~ point of view. WJ . - .1•-. U\lt ·
, .. . . ·•
this is undes irable from the pd roassecuile purgi ng the
common experience la that the. .
10·5 Mola sses purit y-Fo r low ~the .ti·-machines by one unit or so compared to that
· · highe r w1 con Wash
1
. 111a.

molasses puritytchlS ·-~

high speed ba cen .
:~ty
trifugals unde r identical conditions.trifug
.
als fowaterob ~litation ia

=
in conti nuou s am r tainin g Pl'Ope, -
essential for final massecwte of sugar (> 80). An addit ional factor whig \ can ·
separation of mo ~ as ~lso p purity is the use of wate r in relati on to ll\aSaecuita
contribute to the m~a se IJl m~1 ced while the wash -wate r remains unchanged the
feed flow. If at any time flow IS u . . .
sugar crysta ls will be partia lly disso lved. .
. d · vertical conti nuou s centr ifuga l are manu factu red by
10.6. Scre~ e ruckel screens use_ mTh screens have conic al perfo ratio ns in slots of 0.Q6
5~ rocess of electrofomung. e . •
mm. or 0.09 mm. width. The nickel screens are hard chrom ium
. ance an d th 1 t · erun·g can be as small as 0.04 mm. for P~~ f o r ~ wear
res1St e s o op C masseaute SDinftl ft.., ~ 1
-.-:----e-
The screen opening area is around 7-lOo/o of the t ~ sa:ee"
screens are conical in shape , small er opening being maintained on ~e1be
area. P,!~ Ora~ of
suga mde, while it
converges inside . Comp ared to the screens empl oy~ in batch
mach ines these screens are
thin with about o.25 mm. thickness. Due to wear in runni ng
they are replaced after about
60-90 days running.
10.7. Experience with conti nuou s centrifugals ln lndiL
In India n indus try continuous centrifugals were intro duced nearl
y two decad es back and
since the last 10-12 years they are widely used for 'C' curin
g and 'B' mass ecuit e curing.
Mach ines of differ ent mode m designs of intern ation al manu
factu rers are installed in
sugar mills and these are found to be quite suitable for interm
ediat e and final massecuite
spinning. The exper ience gaine d with these machines as also
the inves tigati onal work
done with them is briefly summarised as unde r-
(r) Spinning of 'C' massecuites with conti nuou s centr ifuga ls I .
resul ts in highe r molasses
purit y by abou t 1.0 unit comp ared to batch high- speed mach
ines but the sugar purity
is unifo rmly 80 and above. Howe ver recen t trend in main tainin
g small size grain of
- 'C' mass ecuit e of 0.2 to 0.22 mm. as again st the previ
ous pract ice of 0.3 to 0.4 mm.
grain size has more than compensated for this and low purit
obtai ned by- ies of molasses are
· _
(a) rehea ting of 'C' massecuites to 50-52°C befor e curing, •
(b) regul ating feed of wash water and preferably using
50-60°/4 final molasseS · ·
solut ion in place of wate:.7In a few factories screens with 0.04
mm.. hole apertwe • . \
have been fitted with• benefidal effect on molasses purit y reduc
tion. ·
· (iz) With conti nuou s. machines as 'C' foreoworkers, the
after work ers are nece5san'ly ·
conti nuou s centr ifuga ls. 'B' D\a8secuite c:unng in continuou
s machine& yields high
purity suga r but the aystals are damaged and of varying sizes
due to attritiDII-
Whenever 'B' sugar is to be used as seed for ,A' boiling the pract
ice is to do\Jble
purg e 'B' massecuite. In ~ ~gn s-the melting of B
or c afterc:w'ed sugat iS
accom plish ed in the c:oncentnc casing for sugar. .· .. _. , _. _ .. · •· · ·_ _
 3'1

IG..S.A4ht~ u o u s · ~ hold grst promise for future and Is tw~ decad es

!:~ WJtnc 5: ed ~ ~ design improvements and innovatioN which .have
~ tnm' utility. ~ mAin adnntages are-,
(:) ~ y and l@d~ enagy cmsumptioo on account of continuous operati~ The
in:st.illied po'M!'r ol 41 machine which handles 2-3 t. C massecuite per hour IS 40-45
1

k.w.
lt 15 ozstamuy to control Bow of massecuite into centrifugal on the basis of a;mmftel'
~ ol h ~ oi the mldune i.e. load on the drive.
(it) It is ~~ to spin ~ ~ i t e s containing sugar graiN of 0.18 to 0.2 mm. ~
and olQin sugu ol >&.1 purity &nd low purity of final mo~ which is not possible
•ith batch c:mtrifuga k E,ien mass«uites with uneven siz.e of. grains. can be
effiL'"¥!ntly ~ in c:untinuous INdunes without afhding the results, mainly due
to dw thin la~1ft" ol_ ~ t l . ' S in ,the bukrt.
(m) C~pit.tl npendihm- and Ninlffl&nC't costs att low.

l l . 1'!0DERJ'J TRENDS
11.L I n ~ ) ~ t)w Cft'ltritug.d ftWlW4'P.""tu:tt:r5 hA\-e tried to improve the overall performan ce
ol tht- hatd\ 05\trifus-als t,· introdU1."'ing-
v"~),.,~ l t t au~tlur\ . alld
41 ~ ,df,\~
Jn «l'tinUCUS madtine.. dw efforts att dil'e\.~t?-d tllwards-
~ minimi'W'\S tM Cl')'ISW bttiliges by inrorporating new design features and
~-f~ t k c l s in fttJ and w&Sh sys ~ R«fflt trends in the designs of both batch and
~ C\10bnUOUS ~ ~ A S under-
.
.

11.2. Bah.it mtldli ~ hatch machines the advances relate more to some design details;
~~tft' ~ being laid on automa~oo of all phases of operation. Completel y au~~tic
r«yding madunes ha,~ been introduced. With the rapid development of electronics, the
ffl\trols m,-ol\'ing solid state timers. whkh are free from moving parts and have long life,
ha~~~ common. The sequencing of the centrifugals in a battery has also been made
auaimatic.
In ~ " t of S)"Stem of electric drh-e thyristor controlled d.c. drive is gaining acceptance.
The speed rontrol of motor is based~ thyristor which is a solid state semi-cond uctor
"'ithout DlO\ing parts and functions as a controlled rectifier•
.· Se\-eral safety d~,-x-es have been introduced in the modem centrifugals. Motors are
~ by thennal overload relays and they cannot be energised to high speed without
being opei:•ted at low speed for preset time. Similarly the m ~ t e charging gate
cannot be opened "·hen the machine is NMing at high speed; the plough will not
opeAte ~ washing has taken place, basket discharge valve and plough are
interlocked , centrifugal is automatically stopped when gyration exceeds certain limits.

. ·.
 CA NE SUGAR MA NU FA Cru Q
3'2. IN INDl4
· .
11.3. Co ntin uou s ma chl J\e e-I n con . oua machines it ls essential tha t the ma&aeaute fed
.
tinu tili --. 't
b ket ·
as JS evenly dis tributed for proper u sation of scr een ar8 ' and avoiding vib • to ·
.
rating cupa. Inrati
and recent machines are provi
.ded wit h deeper ar,d larger accele . ons
mix wit h the
IOtne
designs water spr ay is arranged 80 massecuite as it falls on the
Steam mix in with the feed before as to has 1so bee n . cup.
it rea che s the scr een • a
.g ufa ctu rers hav e . mcorporated in .
some machines, some man int rod uce d con tin uou s me ltin g of sug ar
ch' wh•..1.
is discharged as clear sug ar me
lt from the ma_ ~ ~m. g. Thi s • ., ""
aa: oun t of hig h impact spe ed . ~ accomplished on
of cry sta ls on liq wd film, w ~
crystals, thus eliminating screw convey d1860lves the sµgar
er and me lter for the cen trif uga l sugar.
lL4 . Recent wo rk in Australia con
cerning the pow er con sum pti on in
sho wn tha t the pow er loss due to con tin uou s centrifugal has
win dag e, wh ich dep end s 011 the
and ~ represents aro und 10- des ign of the basket
40% of tota l pow er use d, wh ile the
separation of molasses is about 50% pow er required for .
of the total _power c~ un ed Th
bac k can increase the pow er req uir e molasses flow.
ed for masseo.u~ pro ces sin g by 50%
molasses is \U\even.9 This tendency when the flow of
of mo las ses lea vin g the screen, to
of basket instead of flowing tangen stic k to the outside
tially is ter me d as 'tea pot _effect'.10
molasses res ults in som e molass Thi s flow back of
es em erg ing fro m the ann ula r
mix ed in sug ar stream, res ulti ng chamber and getting
in low erin g the pol of sug ar and
Perfect sealing bet we en molasses ove rall performance.
and sug ar com par tme nts is abs
· pre ven t the molasses and sug ar olu tely essential to
remixing and wa ter tes ting of ma
check the sealing bet we en these cha chi ne is suggested to ·
mbers.
Considerable am oun t of investigat
ional wo rk has been car ried out
stu dy of various aspects of the con in Australia on the
tinu ous cen trif uga l des ign and a
cen trif uga l wa s dev elo ped at Bu hyb rid continuous
nda ber g for han dli ng affi nat ion ma
massecuite. A conical bas ket was gm a and low grade
mo\U\ted on a bat ch centrifugal bas
pro vid ed, and satisfactory results ket and side feed
hav e been rep ort ed wit h affination
Fur the r pro gre ss on the use of hyb sug ar magma. 11
rid cen trif uge for hig h grade ma
rep ort ed recently I but the problem ssecuite curing is
of crystal bre aka ge rem ain d uns olv
'Su per cen trif uge developed by uni
1 ed. However the
versity of Qu een sla nd and NQ EA
fut ure app lica tion bot h for hig h gra 12 sho ws promise for
de and low -gr ade sug ar sep ara tion
cry sta l dam age due to hig h veloci . The problem of
ty imp act s wit h cas ing is rep ort ed
und er control and pow er consum to hav e been brought
ption, is also very low . Ca pac ity
by e~ tin g sta nda rds viz . 75 t !or rep orted'is very high
A, 45 l for B and 35 t for c masse
operation. . cuites per hour of

12. ACCESSORIES
At the cen trif uga l •tation beside& I •
the cen trif uga l ma chi nes a num ber
uni ts are inv olv ed in the ope rati on. of oth er ,naduner)'
Th e cen trif uga l sta tio n receives the
ma sse cui tes fro m the crystallisers diff eie nt types of
and &ends out
(1) white ,ugar for packing,
(ii) low grade , u ~ for melting
or • &eed to pan floor,

- .•.
 1-d
, tN1tt)t'\ h-+At . i.t-vAttA1b)N

('t'.tt) h\,,l"~•• fhHH 111.l tH1tAti.,..ttllt18 ~~,~~·

th~ L..t m"II! '1.11 1i!t,f.liJJ1-•J •• pa t~ A-. ,J

(tt.,) -~H,,} tt\•tl"•••~ H\I• ol H1~ tJnJr:.•~ lµ1,11"1

;
..,. . .n-:1 .- ~ J
m~ t r,f uf1Jrl ,u.#!9!Ji"7 Wfi t§ It/~
· r',)t l~•-f•~•-•mo)I .. UfhPllti lut" U•tt•tt a t1t1
wh,, ·h At\i ,l~ ·t-ih~i lwJ..,w- -
_flfafl_!.~~;;!';~~j 11'1_!!it-~-- . , ~-~
;
6t
).,. ~,,,-,_~,.,..,,m~·n, .. tHfl l~~~ Jt~.. ftrJ!t1 ('')'
o,,.c!J)•e.CJ~11 ~ ~,~ J~1'Np• ~~ ~
. b-'t~••""' of tt1A •hln~ fo~~~!".f~!-'.!.!!J~_ ball • ~ •
g or 11i,,,p1•a ,~rt~Jnl1JI•g w rll!!,lll'Jy .-:r
~•~i\\''~J ,h'}'~ij,J •~•"~-~~ulfp s, Thtt pu~mW• tA ~ iuT '.A ~
•~~ui,~m~ol .. ,, t•ru·w·uJ-..t 1.,-,tt,.,-y ,,1 t~1t,,Ju~J 1~,, wrsl!)UT)J ul -~ ~ w- 6
u"~ dl1 tf~ tHowu.aHP~ t1rl' IJU'!d wlt
h 9111·
tH' Mt"
v ihi INA f!' 0~ #1 .reod•Yt ~
..~•~11!..d .,., dri_
18t'n\flt fot ~-~,.,h,g u,~ m~~J_~ tthJfhm
, f-w9 fy[M ul yu17-!'1iiJi~- srdaJl!d :
Ill~ U,f/t _JIJ
~&·, t~,)I' •c:
m~-..C!•.'lJit~ lu1w;;v~
lr'J~ id • ~
llol~~=el'i'~~'! ~i;,_!;t~ w ~~wr '-¼#;'cu1&
"!_hkh ,-.}'111 01· ,JtM.· tyJ1e a• 4 «_a! ~
tlldl~•~••oy ~~! "'J)~ ~r• ;L~taJW ¥' t,uu9-tt IJA qi
a1,~ ~-o nJ,
~~ vor au~ . n,, f'UgtfUU ptVJ H!f hu .amp~ t;tu'tff» ~
o-.- - ~
-llh\_ .~u he he( 5
and caJtrilug.at. and fta "}'r t m P
h~t-Pr lJI .tnt oa- p~J b~t.w,en tJ1e r,ugmill l:ea:Wd
lht- wn titlu oua mad&ine:t • fhf'
t "l'hmlng o( vhM--.;u, •c:' maMl'C'u.Uet in
l'Hi d~n
us' y
"'"M ~'oU-e '1,,w·• Jitl t(tl y 11110 th~ cen tril
dilc:harged from m ad ~ ~
irlw
11,) Mb-.1-.-11,e 11uwu• h:> be W\.;'-"ntnlugl"d !8 from . the
• par t ul un v liqu or wlu d, • ~
mh~c,l'lj, 'lltl:i fiu~ ar lit mj) l(tJ wll h '~
· tht, 'C' .ug ar ~ 'C' -" :!
, ..,
l'On~,g lh~ ~•ttc.9 mag r1a U for ~
ur ~
mu w,g it w,t h 'C' ligh t mP JM HS nae
,~l\ tdru g4't . I• m.t~h! luh , mag ma by in tw: n • 4+ 11 -,,""Y:d to
i• • truu Kh wit h 1lll' ru1g BJ"J N •tta che d J.o • J,ha./1 whi d1
mh. c.'f ..,p ert ded
top of tht- open trou gh·of thr ll'DXtti6
• n·h>t~r _lluy ~gh ,;.Ju t'liO f\l:J ~!· Ort
1ugar with 1iquor., Altrmative,1y wa:l
e.&
h J:)'.!rfor alio.N for uni form mW ng of
making nv&ma; The a1a tt oo:t1et' ~
• 1,ip1;1 wit
~~..•~'-"~(!~h-~,~~.-~~~ in.~pla n! of IJq~or for l;h ~~ ,a ~ pug mil l pf.
~~~-" ~~-t io,~ ~( a o~ot;m a ~ • 1 pw np wh frie lig ht
'-~n n~-~ ~-
g to the ew~r~•. taD ~ mu.e.d wif h
af t('rwoa·'k('OJ, Tht , mQJ~ ~ ~m adJienn wa4er m
th~ Mtd wo rJtc r,, H get . d~tadle'.d an•p Pl ica ~ of wa sh.
n\(~ldJUW 'tl an~ in
tal.I f rtt from ~ )n the rnix
e:n- of ~c
the mAd~i.tfo rt!n der i tht? •u~ ar crys
and ten t to rnd ter~
a~r w,, rk~ nt the, mngma ht made in wat er
s wit h.
ta .. •• ~ol lec tlon -M. ola H8 from ,monitor cae.ing is J:eCeived in ·gu:tte:r:
(.-) Mo es is
cylindrical tanJc.s fro m wh ich mcr lass
ouUcts roa u,tt tcd to ,ma ll receiving
rum 1~ to pan floor by lipedaJ pumpt.
~ m,. _ . ry
trol •~• em -A con trol parU \eJ ~ howsed m a •~ caJ ,ine t wit h
Con i}y
(d}
awl tdu ,,. A com pre aso r is llllt alle d near the centrifugal bat terv for su
Un,~~ and
3-5 ~g/ cm ' Mu tt for pne um .a~ ope rations invol~ed i n ~ ~ ·
ol alr at pn!
-:,s- wf: ae
pa- ~'-! 1~5 M.. J! han dle d by 1ea r pwnP', !olary pumps or J.C:reW .
r.{ l'um _ P:tfl'.L »
v· m ,~ \)! -~~ ~!!.' ii pum ped by rota pum gs.
 CANI IUGAR MANUJACTUqlN-
:M4
UGAR coN VEYBRS
13. S
13.1,
.
Wh ite eugar dl.le
_
harged
· c,ntrilu all .l.• conveyed on gru.a hop
!
fro~onv,yrr 1 wldc ahallow trough
~ute, The gru t h~ :dr lve . n,e
per
uaually of C.I. lheet
groM--hnppcr 1upported on flexible •lats
vibrate, by l~ ~b le ,tripe attached und
.·.
to aupr •lft

II UIUllly of
erneath the hopper, are inclined at 609 to 1
•=
to 1;2 m. ~ d ~ mounted on M1glc1 on the the
· !:::;~:,; ground floor. The rocking movement of
the ,ugar forward and connecting rod
fixed undemeath the hopper
the i .

imparts the vibration, to the hopper convcy

er.
ltl odem JncUan plants in 'A' battery ...
working the white 1ugar (meant for bagging
, :single tray hopper ls discharged into ) ffl>ll\
a muldtray grua hopper with hot air blow
arrangement. The hot air blows through ing
the apace between 1ucce11ive traya over
sugar and reduces the moisture of eugar. the
Air from air blower flowing through
connected to the first step of the graae hop heat er ii
per, The heated and partially dried aug
· · this grua hopper is further discharged ar from
into leCond multltray grue hopper provide
cold air blowing arrangement. With hot air-trea d with
tment followed by cold air contact, supr
of required temperature and moisture ii
obtained. The lump1 of 1ugar formed
separated over coarse screen fixed at the end are
of hopper.
13.2. Sugar elevaton-It is essential to tran
sport the dry augar from hopper to top
grader which L& accomplished by a bucket of sugar
elevator. The elevator may be either etra
vertical or inclined. Encased in a closed ltee ight
l case the elevator consists of two strands
endless chain and the buckets are bolted of
between two chains, the distance between
buckets being around 30-35 ems. The elevator the
moves at speed of about 20-30 m/ min. and
lifts the sugar to a height of 10 to 15 m. ·
and dellven it into the chute leading to
suga~ grader. The chains move over two top of
pu11eyl at top and bottom while the drive
prov1~ed. at the top. One or two inspecti ii
on doors located at the tower end enab
exa.mmatJ~n. of chains whenever required le
. On cleaning day thorough inspection of the
entire chain JS required when wom ouflln
b can be replaced.
.
. L
14. GRADER
The grading of sugar involving
sugarhouse. The elevator delivenaeparalion of diffi
the the
ere
wide chute. A rotating distributo
the top coarse screen. Th e~ ~~
9::' nt size graina ii performed in
&om hopper to the top of grader throuSh ~
the incoming sugar over the entire wldth_o
grains and to separate •mall the grader la to cluaify sugar into different ai#
entire equipment is of aturdy1umpa u wel II
l duat from the augar to be marketed, 1be
frame. The screens bolted inc;:"truction con
alating of 3 to 4 ecnena encJ.o,ed in• tteel
grade~ is a vibrating meduinlam-=: have aep •
arate chutes at the diac:harge ~ 1\11
vlbrabons generated In the ICreen.
each screen, the
.: '8
ovenize grains flow•
~ at about 35° to t h e ~ 11:
eeparation of ov en ia and underaif.e pint'
or four screens it is poesible to leparu:! over
are co11ected at the chute. With 0: ·
ICl'eenl
grains. The sugar p• lng thr ou gh ~thre
e grades of 1ugar conforming di f~ _.ny'
dischorgcd into mt,cer potitioned be' to
I :wscretheengrala der
very fine ln nature and bicb •
for makin
11
g· magma w .. .
 CENTRIFUCAL SEPARATJON .
:us -·
pumped to panfloor for being ~ as 5ieed for• Al boiling. For removing fuw iron specks
fmtn &ug.ar m a ~ separators are attached to the chutes from whidt sugar is sent for
ma eke.ting.
The sugar received &om centrifugals contains good amount of very fine sugar dust wru£'h
has to be separated -st the grader~1be dust separation systein incorporates an exhaust fan
10 aud: the du.st, a separator and dust melting arrangemenL Oust catching system not
only saves wastage of sugar but also protects the equipment and environment in ~e
s ugar house. Moreover the sugar dust is explosive by nature and release of sugar dust· U\
an enclosed aurrounding is fraught with grave risk.
Usually in modem plants two to thrtt graders ~ installed ~ach capable of handling
10-12 t sugar, and receiving part of sugar dt!livcred by the elevator.

15, SUGAR WEIGHING AND PACKING

In India the sugar is filled. in 100 l g. ~ jute bap and weighed on scales. In some
countries th~ p r ~ is to u~ SO kg. paper b.lgs or polythene woven bags for packing.
The weighed bags att stitehrd at th~ Opt"fl end employing electrically operated stitching
"'"chi~ with ~It ronwyer a tt~ffll.

1 1· ,'.