Integrated beet and cane sugar processing with high cogeneration efficiency.

Due to water scarcity on one hand and possibilities to increase annual factory running time on the other, it has proven worthwhile to consider integrated beet and cane processing in some countries where climatic conditions are suitable for both crops. The paper gives an overview of selected and applicable technologies driving the energy demand of an integrated beet and cane processing plant to its minimum. As a result, the plant is self-sufficient in fuel usage and also offers a sizable amount of power export (cogeneration). The surplus bagasse from the cane crop (typically 150 to 180 days) allows for providing steam during the beet campaign (typically 60 to 80 days) and even some off-crop usage for refining raw sugar as well. In order to keep investment costs at reasonable levels, careful design of the dual-use plant is required, as well as making maximum use of equipment that can handle both beet and cane intermediate products. The different purities and colour levels of cane and beet juices require somewhat different treatment in juice purification and in boiling procedures, but the majority of the process steps are identical. The additional cost of an efficient dual-use plant is easily compensated by the benefits in increased sugar output, sale of electricity and beet-pulp as a valuable fodder.