Optimization Of Phosphate and Separan for Cane Juice Clarification

In a case where phosphate content of cane juice is deficient, it is necessary to compensate the deficiency by external addition of phosphoric acid. To settle the precipitate formed, optimum amount of flocculant needs to be used. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the optimum conditions of phosphate (P2O5) and separan. Two cane varieties, B52298 and NCo 334 were studied in terms of turbidity, settling rate, mud volume. The experiment was conducted using Central Composite Design (CCD). The optimum levels for the B52298 cane variety were 228.7 mg/L P2O5 and 3.35 ppm separan, which gave a turbidity of 514; a settling rate of 0.064 cm/s; and mud volume of 19.5 % (v/v); and that of NCo-334 were 245.7 mg/L P2O5 and 5.77 ppm separan, with turbidity value of 639; a settling rate of 0.07 cm/s; and mud volume of 18 % (v/v). Implementing this work benefits the target sugar factory to increase productivity, low colored sugar, minimum sugar loss and lower cost of chemicals. The Material & Methods and the Discussion part is considered to be a good reference to those professionals who are interested to conduct similar research activities especially optimizing the dosing of chemicals