2. • Sugar is produced in 121 Countries and global
production now exceeds 120 Million tons a year.
Approximately 70% is produced from sugar
cane, a very tall grass with big stems which is
largely grown in the tropical countries. The
remaining 30% is produced from sugar beet.
8. The sugar production process involves three steps: (a) crushing of
the sugarcane, (b) clarification of the sugarcane juice and
crystallization of sugar and (c) separation. The sugarcane is crushed
to extract the sugarcane juice. The juice extracted from the milling
plant is mechanically screened. The juice is then heated to about 70
degree centigrade in rapid flow vertical juice heater. The treated
juice is then heated to approximately 105 degree centigrade and
made to enter a flash tank for the removal of gas and air before
letting it into a continuous clarifier, where the settling of the mud
and other impurities takes place. The clear juice is then sent to the
evaporators for concentration. The concentrated juice known as
syrup is further boiled until the sugar crystallizes. Lastly, the mixture
of sugar crystals and the syrup is spun in a centrifuge, which
separates the sugar crystals (also called plantation white sugar) to
produce sugar and molasses. The sugar produced is dried, graded
and packaged for storage and marketing.
Molasses, filter cake and bagasse (the fibrous residue leftover after
crushing sugarcane and extracting its juice), are by-products of
sugar production process. The molasses and filter cake are sold in
the market to generate revenue.
