2008 SPRI CONFERENCE

ABSTRACTS of PRESENTATIONS

Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc.

Delray Beach Marriott, Delray Beach, Florida, USA

September 28-October 1, 2008

Abstracts are presented in alphabetical order according to first author.  Abstracts of commercial presentations and posters follow this section according to first author. 

Production of Bioenergy using Filter Cake mud in Sugar Cane Mill Factories, Carmen Baez-Smith, P.E, PMP, President/CEO, Smith Baez Consulting, Inc., 7040 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Suite 25-38, Loxahatchee, Florida 33470, Phone (561) 762-5653, Email: cbsmith@smithbaez.com, www.smithbaez.com

ABSTRACT: In sugar cane mill factories, filter cake mud (cachaza) is a byproduct that is generally collected and applied directly to agricultural fields as a soil fertilizer, due to his its mineral content. Spikes in energy costs have provided opportunities to research more profitable disposal alternatives to this underappreciated byproduct of the sugar cane mill. On an average basis, 131 pounds of filter cake (wet) are produced per ton of sugar cane processed. Filter cake contains approximately 80 % moisture and 20 % solids. The solids are composed of 70 % organics (mainly biomass and sugar) and 30% minerals (mostly phosphorus (P), Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K), the three building blocks of conventional fertilizers). As biomass and sugars can be converted to biofuels by biological processes, the objective of this study was to use anaerobic digestion to evaluate the feasibility of using filter cake mud to produce bioenergy in the form of biogas, and value-added biofertilizer. The process uses the approach of simultaneous saccharification and digestion (SSD) system, in which enzymes and fermentative bacteria are added to the same vessel to produce biogas from sugars as soon as they are released. The anaerobic digestion featured a plug flow reactor (digester) at a temperature of 50 ºC (122 ºF) and mean cell residence time of 20 days. For a factory processing 10,000 ton of sugar cane per day and producing filter cake with a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total solids (TS) of 84,000, 157,000, and 217,000 mg/L (20 % solids), respectively, the biogas producing process yields the following results: For a loading rate of approximately 6 kg of COD per cubic meter of fermenter volume, biogas (a gas mixture containing 57 % methane) production is 44,000 cubic meter per day (1, 500,000 cubic feet per day), which is equivalent to 4 cubic meter (158 cubic feet) of biogas per ton of sugar cane processed and 68 cubic meter (2,406 cubic feet) of biogas per ton of filter cake processed. The results seem to indicate that biogas production increases approximately 50 % due to the enzymatic treatment of the filter cake prior to anaerobic digestion. Biofertilizer (85% solids) production is approximately 93 ton per day after drying the sludge left by anaerobic digestion. The volume of the digester is 15,000 cu meters ft (534,000 cubic feet).

Colourants through Cane Sugar Production and Refining – A Review, Luis San Miguel Bento, Bento Consultants, Senhora da Hora, Portugual

Abstract: Sugar colourants are one of the most important impurities in sugar industry. Generally colourants are divided in two categories: factory colourants, those produced in sugar processing by degradation of sugars; and those presented in sugar cane, as cane pigments and phenolic compounds. Due to different physical and chemical conditions during sugar processing, colourants will be formed, removed or changed chemically. In this paper it will be described the colurants behavior during raw cane sugar processing and refining from sugar cane to refined white sugar.

Elucidation of the Hard-to-Boil Massecuites Phenomenon and the Introduction of Oscillatory Deformation Rheology to the Sugar Industry, Gillian Eggleston ¹, April Antonie ¹, and Greg Cote ², ¹ SRRC-ARS-USDA, New Orleans, LA 70124,USA, Tel: 1-504-286-4446, Fax: 1-504-286-43687, E-mail: Gillian.eggleston@ars.usda.gov, ² NCAUR-ARS-USDA, Peoria, IL 61604, USA.

Abstract: Hard-to-boil (HTB) massecuites with markedly low heat transfer properties are a sporadic but continuing problem in Louisiana sugarcane factories. This phenomenon causes raw sugar and molasses production to decrease and increase, respectively, and when extremely severe can cause a factory standstill. It usually occurs after severely deteriorated sugarcane stalks and trash have been delivered to a factory, e.g., after heavy and prolonged rains or after a severe freeze. Unfortunately, the specific cause of this phenomenon is unknown and only limited correction in the boiling house has occurred. At the end of the 2006 processing season HTB and normal massecuites and molasses were collected from four Louisiana factories. Compared to normal samples, the HTB samples had 9.1-33.2% lower heat conductivity and 10.0-49.2% higher heat resistivity. The more HTB a sample is, then the greater the increase in heat resistivity compared to the corresponding decrease in heat conductivity. This strongly indicates substance(s) are responsible for suppressing heat transfer. Excess lime addition during juice clarification is not the direct cause of reduced ability to boil. Oscillatory deformation rheology whereby a sinusoidal shear force is applied to a sample and the resultant stress response is measured provides information on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the material as well as intermolecular associations. Normal massecuite and molasses samples gave typical mechanical spectra of concentrated solutions. In contrast strong gel networks were present in the HTB samples explaining the difficulty to remove water on boiling. As HTB samples contained considerably greater total soluble polysaccharides than the normal samples, a polysaccharide is likely the cause of the gel network. Initial results suggested the presence of an arabinogalactan and endo-dextranase resistant dextran structures. The HTB phenomenon may have different causes and mannitol may be a contributing factor but not the major factor.

Cellulosic Ethanol:  The Future Of Biofuels Is Here Today, Tim Eves, Verenium Biofuels, LLC, Jennings, LA, USA

Abstract: The use of next generation biofuels derived from renewable, non-food biomass can help to meet the growing demand for alternative transportation fuels while leading our country, and the world, to a cleaner, greener and more secure energy future.  This paper will discuss Verenium's focus on utilizing its proven industrial biotechnology to create tomorrow's energy economy built on readily available and abundant biomass.   Discussion topics will include Verenium's enzymatic fermentation process and underlying landmark technology; biomass supply based on feedstock sources outside of the food chain, such as sugarcane bagasse, dedicated energy crops and wood products that are renewable and available throughout the world; the benefits of cellulosic ethanol for the farming economy; and operational experience that shows that this next generation technology is ready for commercial development today.

Valorization of Lime Sludge from Sugar Beet Industry by Production of Compost, Khalid Fares and Maha Meskine, University Cadi Ayyad, Faculty of Sciences Samlalia, Biochimie et Biotechnologie des Plantes, PO Box 2390, Marrakesh, Morocco, Tel: 212-61-23-22-85, Fax: 212-44-43-74-12, E-mail: fareskhalid@hotmail.com

Abstract: The sugar industry in Morocco has been improved duing the last years with however a big amount of lime sludge produced in the purification step. The lime sludge is rejected outside the factories without any valorization or study on the impact on the environment. Furthermore these lime sludge can not be used directly for pH correction of soils since the pH is already high. The aim of this work was to study the possibility of valorization of the lime sludge from sugar beet industry by production of compost using in the same time bagasse from can sugar industry and household waste also.

Two experiments were conducted: in the first experiment the lime sludge in the concentration of 32% were composted with bagasse and household waste while in the second experiment the composted did not contain the lime sludge (only bagasse and household waste in the same proportions).

After 80 days of composting with natural aeration, a good evolution of the temperature for both composts was observed. At the final step of composting, both composts have pH of 8.5 and the ratio carbon/nitrogen was reduced from 39.4 to 10 and from 46.7 in 10.2 for the compost with lime sludge and without lime sludge, respectively. The compost with lime sludge should be stable and hygienic product.

The results obtained can be considered as a good opportunity for valorization of lime sludge and household waste in the context of sustainable development.

Recurring Themes in Sugar Research, AWARD WINNER PRESENTATION, Mary An Godshall, Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124, Tel: 504-286-4329, Fax: 504-282-5387, E-mail: ma.godshall@ars.usda.gov

There is a charming saying that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” There is also the adage in scientific circles that things are re-invented about every twenty years. In actuality, things are revisited about every fifteen to twenty years because technology improves and new inventions create new opportunities within the old paradigms. In the last fifty years, we have seen mind-boggling advances in some fields – communication, medicine, analytical methodology, molecular biology, genomics. In other fields, such as transportation, agriculture, food chemistry and textile sciences, we have had, not huge advances, but rather, incremental changes and improvements, which have resulted in better products, more efficient production and economies of scale. As with the production of almost all foodstuffs, the manufacture of sugar, both cane and beet, falls into the second category, where we have seen the steady advance of knowledge applied to new processes and products. As a starting point for this presentation on recurring research themes, and what we have learned from them, SPRI Proceedings were used as an indicator of what was of interest to sugar research. The major topic over the years was in the area of new processes and new products, followed by analytical technology, and quality (not including color). The single individual category of greatest interest was the subject of color, a topic that has been with the sugar industry since its beginning. Where is sugar research going? Using the idea that the past is prologue to the future, some research signposts will be examined.

The Influence of Processing Factors on Maple Syrup Volatiles, Mary An Godshall, Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., Abby van den Berg, Proctor Maple Research Center, The University of Vermont, Underhill Center, Vermont, Steven Lloyd, USDA Agriculture Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

Maples syrup is made from concentrated maple sap in a traditional process that has changed little with time. The sap contains, on average, only 2 percent sucrose, and this is concentrated to about 66-67 percent sucrose syrup by evaporation in open pans. The sap from the tree is colorless and odorless, but during evaporation and concentration, volatile compounds are developed which produce the desirable flavor and color of maple syrup. Sometimes a flavor, called “metabolic” will form, which lowers the quality of the syrup. The industry is highly regulated, and very few processing aids or new technologies are allowed. SPRI has had a cooperative research agreement in place with the Proctor Maple Research Center in Vermont for several years, to identify important volatiles formed during processing. This paper summarizes the development of targeted flavor volatiles during the processing of maple syrup.

Dust Explosion Protection for Fine Sugar Grinding, Tomas Johansson, Michael Prior, The Fitzpatrick Company, 832 Industrial Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USA, Tel: 630-530-3333, Fax: 630-530-0832

Abstract: Awareness of dust explosion hazards is now greater then ever, with OSHA mandated to issue a new standard for handling combustible dust. This will create new problems for fine sugar mills an air classifier mill system is available which can improve product quality, whilst being protected from dust explosion risk.

Quality on Indian Plantation White Sugar – Introspective Review, V. S. Keskar and S. S. Nimbalkar, Maarc Labs Ptv. Ltd., Plot No. 1&2, Gat No. 27, Nanded Phata, Sinhagad Road, Pune 411 041, Maharashtra, India, Tel: 91-20-24395052, Fax: 91-20-24391880, E-mail: maarclab@vsnl.net, - maarc@eth.net

Indian sugar industry is passing through a transition phase and last decade can be described as the quality awareness and improvement journey of the industry. Many mills have made efforts to improve the quality by employing techniques like syrup, melt or filtrate clarification or diverting partial production for refining the existing process. The domestic market still rely on visual appearance and grain size as the main quality parameters, bolder grain fetching the premium price. However industry has realized the necessity of overall improvement in the quality for tapping the international market as well as for satisfying the requirements of institutional buyers.

The national specifications laid by Bureau of Indian Standards are aligned with Codex norms of Plantation/mill white sugar. However these standards are not giving due justice to the true quality of Indian Sugar. The data generated by Maarc Labs based on the analysis of innumerable samples since last decade from different states of India clearly shows that except colour, quality of Plantation White Sugar is far superior than the set specifications, many times even matching the requirements of White Sugar. In addition to these routine quality parameters, institutional buyers have additional requirements based on their product, technology and regulatory laws. Here also it was observed that except sediment and dextran all other norms are usually satisfied by the Indian sugars. The sugar passes even the stringent norms of poisonous and heavy metals set by Prevention and Food Adulteration Act (PFA) or traces of pesticide residues in it. The microbial flora is also usually found in the normal range.

As colour, dextran and sediments are the 3 areas of PWS requiring more attention, MAARC LABS has made attempts to improve those through root cause analysis and recommending simple logical remedies. The concept of colour balance of processing was introduced first time in Indian industry. The norms set for different regions based on the data generated during the study conducted in 60 different mills are helping the technologists to identity the stations responsible for colour rise and evaluate efficiency of colour removing stages.

Though Dextran parameter is crucial in trades of raw sugar, some food and beverage industries have incorporated it for PWS also. Dextran content of primary juice showed wide regional and seasonal variation. The problem is more serious during summer months in North India where harvesting is not under control of mills and in Gujrat where at the end of the season factories crush more than 90% burnt cane.

The high sediment content in PWS is problematic for beverage industry. The qualitative analysis for understanding the nature of impurities was found more useful rather then quantitative one for judging its nuisances. The bagacillo and silica particles can increase the weight of the sediment but fine particles of CaSO4 retard the filtration rate even present in small quantity.

The data on the quality of sugar, colour values of factory intermediates and dextran content of juice from sugar mills in different agro-climatic regions of India will be presented in the paper.

Environmental Impact Management As Guided By Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing For Discharge Compliance, Louis Knieper and Ron Kawlewski. Southern innesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, Renville, MN, USA

SMBSC has conducted toxicity testing for several years as a permit mandate for routine treated wastewater discharge monitoring.  The value and applicability of this standard as a compliance measurement and the impact of compliance on the operation and management of the facility are discussed. In the search for answers, SMBSC has worked to identify, quantify and track natural toxins in sugar beets through the factory water system.  A process to measure Saponins was developed in this effort and the results from the evaluation are described.  Known natural toxicants were removed or destroyed in the wastewater treatment process.  A toxicant or toxic component has not yet been identified and the search continues.   Water and chemical management at the facility has significantly improved as a result of attempted compliance.

Molasses Desugarization Extract: Resolution Of Problems Associated With Processing Extract, Terry McGillivray, David Groom, Heather Jarski, Jim Heggeness. American Crystal Sugar Company, Moorhead, MN, USA

American Crystal Sugar Company has operates two molasses desugarization facilities; a simulated moving bed system at East Grand Forks, MN and a coupled loop system at Hillsboro, ND. During the last several year we have looked at a variety of means of resolving problems with extract that have resulted in low processing rates during the spring extract campaign. This paper presents results of some the work that has been completed in trying to determine why the extract is difficult to process, solutions that have been attempted, and processing changes that have been made that increased processing rates from 50-100% at the EGF facility and by somewhat lesser amount at the Hillsboro facility.

Analysis Of Sugarcane And Sugarbeet Process Streams After Clarification With Polyaluminum Coagulants, Marianne McKee, Ronnie Triche, Mary An Godshall, and Charley Richard. Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, LA, USA

Abstract: At Sugar Processing Research Institute (SPRI), we have recently demonstrated the potential of polyaluminum coagulants (PAC) as valuable additions to the clarification of various sugar processing streams. We have shown substantial decrease in color, turbidity, and polysaccharides by using PAC when compared to traditional clarification schemes in sugarbeet and sugarcane processing. As a part of our continuing laboratory study of PAC as a possible clarification agent in sugar processing, we will illustrate the effect of PAC on specific juice components. Laboratory scale clarification experiments, with and without PAC, were conducted using various sugarcane and sugarbeet processing streams. Results of the analysis of these various laboratory clarified process streams will be presented. The components discussed here will include cations such as calcium and magnesium; anions such as phosphate; and organic acids including citric and oxalic acids.

The Challenges & Opportunities Facing Florida’s Sugar Industry, Barbara Miedema, Sugar Cane Growers Coop. Of Florida, PO Box 666, Belle Glade, FL 33430-0666, USA, Tel: 561-996-5556, Fax: 561-996-4747, E-mail: bjmiedema@scgc.org

Abstract: Water management and agricultural operations are instinctively linked together within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). It is important to understand the history of agricultural production in this region in order to better understand where we are today and what’s facing us in the future.

Dating back more than 150 years, it has been public policy to dike and drain south Florida to make way for urban development and agricultural production. This policy created a massive system of canals, pumps, levees and impoundments to provide flood protection and water supply while taking into the consideration of the importance of preserving Everglades National Park. During the last 30 years, environmental and governmental interests have changed paths and have been attempting to restore hydro-pattern functions so South Florida mimic’s the state as it was mapped in the mid-1800s. This has led to a series of public acquisitions of vast stretches of agricultural lands and regulatory actions that has made farming a challenge in south Florida. Although the challenges continued we believed the worst was behind us with the settlement of a Federal lawsuit over water quality and the passage of the Water Resource Development Act of 2000 authorizing the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. A plan designed to get the water right. Now, we’re faced with another huge obstacle that gets to the very heart of keeping farming sustainable in the EAA. The state announced its intentions to purchase all the assets of the state’s oldest sugar company; U.S. Sugar Corp. including its sugar mill, refinery, juice plant, lands and railroad for a mere $1.75 Billion. Just how this is going to shake out is yet to be seen. However, the one thing that is certain is that it constitutes a severe blow to the long-term sustainability of agriculture in Florida. Today, Florida is the largest cane sugar producing state producing about 20% of the nation’s sugar production and more than half of the cane sugar production. Today, four sugar mills grind about 15 million tons of sugarcane producing about 1.75 million tons of sugar annually. Additionally, Florida is home to two sugar refineries and prides itself on being one of the most efficient producers in the world. We are dedicated to a solid technology-based research program to reach even greater efficiencies to better compete in the global marketplace.

Indirect Real-Time Colour Measurement, Bjarne Chr. Nielsen, Neltec Denmark, Bevloft DK-6541, Denmark

Abstract: ICUMSA has official and accepted methods for measurement of colour in solution. These methods are in general use around the globe for quality control. For process control the methods are too slow. Neltec has development an indirect method for real-time determination of solution colour based on its ColourQ instrument. The instrument does not work by measurement of absorption. Instead it measures reflection from the surface of the sugar. This should imply that inner crystal colour is not measured. However, Neltec has developed special and proprietary calibration techniques to include inner crystal colour in the measurement. Tests by many users of the instrument show that the differences between the results from the ColourQ instrument and the laboratory results by the ICUMSA solution colour method are insignificant. Still, it is not correct to characterize the ColourQ results as ICUMSA Solution Colour. The results are practically identical, but the ColourQ does not use the ICUMSA Solution method. Procedures for calibration and testing are described. A set of properties necessary for a well-functioning real-time colorimeter is listed. Comparative tests with other instruments for indirect colour measurement are mentioned.

Keynote Address, Walter Nelson, Ceres, Inc., 1535 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, Tel: 805-376-6548, mobile: 805-410-0503, www.ceres.net

Abstract: Ceres, Inc. is a leading developer of high-yielding biomass crops that can be planted to produce feedstocks for energy production. Ceres’ development efforts utilize genomics and composition technologies to enhance the development of crops like switchgrass, miscanthus, and sorghum to optimize not only their yield and agronomic performance but also their conversion characteristics in various process technologies. These crops have the potential to produce the feedstock required for multiple downstream uses including electricity, natural gas, liquid fuels and fine chemicals. One of the products in this development portfolio is sweet sorghum, a high-yielding seed propagated crop, which produces large amounts of sugar and biomass with relatively low inputs.

Upgrading Sugarmills To Biorefineries, George Philippidis, University of Florida

Abstract: Concerns about energy security and global warming have propelled biofuels into center stage.  Sugarcane ethanol is produced in Brazil and other Latin American countries and accounts for almost half of the ethanol produced in the world.  Due to the anticipated high demand for ethanol, more sugarmills are considering ethanol production, but they are concerned about the long-term profitability of sugar vs. ethanol.  With the recent advances in cellulosic ethanol technology, the sugarcane industry will soon be able to diversify its product portfolio to include food (sugar), fuel (ethanol), and energy (electricity) from the sugar and bagasse components of cane.  The presentation will discuss key features of the most advanced cellulosic technologies and how they may shape the sugar industry of the future.

Bioconversion of Sugar Beet Processing Waste into Energy, Ioannis Polematidis¹, Abhay Koppar¹, Pratap Pullammanappallil¹, Arthur Teixeira¹, David Chynoweth¹ and Robert Legrand^{2 1}Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering University of Florida Gainesville, Fl 32611-0570, ² URS Corporation Austin, TX, USA

Abstract : Early forty percent of all refined sugar consumed in the USA is made from sugar beets grown in the north central and north western regions of the United States. Beet sugar processing generates significant quantities of both solid (tailings, spent beet pulp) and liquid (raffinate, wastewater) organic wastes and by-products. Raw sugar beets are first washed and separated from “tailings” which mainly consist of sugar beets, weeds, sugar beet tops, debris and soils held by sugar beets when harvested. Usually, tailings are stockpiled outside the factory and hauled away for disposal into landfills or applied on nearby farmland at a significant cost to the factory. The spent pulp is dried and sold as animal feed after mixing with concentrated raffinate. The wastewater stream is treated usually in an anaerobic digester followed by post treatment in an activated sludge process before disposal. American Crystal Sugar Company operates five processing plants along the Red River Valley in Minnesota and North Dakota. It spends close to $1 million per year disposing 400 tons of tailings that are generated daily just at its East Grand Forks plant. Due to the increases in cost of natural gas the sale of spent pulp and raffinate is yielding diminished returns. Sugar production from sugar-beets is an energy intensive operation due to the need for drying and evaporation. The East Grand Forks plant for example spends about $1 million per year for natural gas. Anaerobic digestion of tailings, spent pulp and raffinate would generate biogas that could potentially reduce the fossil fuel requirements and moreover fuel would be produced on site guaranteeing a fuel supply that is not subject to price fluctuations. In this paper we evaluate a high solids digestion process for co-digesting tailings, spent pulp and raffinate. The process performance in terms of methane yield, kinetics, COD, volume and solids reduction, and an economic analysis for a full-scale plant will be presented.

Biotechnology Across The World With A Focus On Sugarcane, Dr. Charley Richard¹ and Tom Schwartz². ¹C. Richard & Associates, New Orleans, LA and ²Beet Sugar Development Foundation, Denver, CO, USA

Abstract: To feed the future world population agricultural production systems must provide yields of food crops in unprecedented quantities and of acceptable quality. This objective will place considerable strain on natural resources. Sustainable agricultural production systems incorporating biotechnology will be useful to reduce poverty in developing countries and accomplish the task of providing valuable food stocks to feed the ever expanding world population while shielding the environment. There has been a consistent and substantial increase in acreage since the commercial inception of biotech crops in 1996 through today when there are more than 280 million acres of biotech crops grown in 23 countries. Sugarcane is produced in more than 80 countries around the world. To date no industry has commercial production of biotech sugarcane although there are experimental plants growing in at least six countries. Numerous traits, including herbicide resistance, are being evaluated and it is expected that commercial production of sugar from biotech sugarcane plants could become reality in five years or less. This paper addresses the world situation with regard the use of biotechnology, the current status of sugarcane biotechnology and efforts by the U.S. sugar industry to to provide science-based information regarding technological advances in both sugarbeet and sugarcane crops.

The Role Of Sugarcane Breeding And Selection In The Development Of Bioenergy Systems, Edward Richard¹, Charley Richard², Marianne McKee², Ronnie Triche² and Mary An Godshall², ¹USDA-ARS-SRU, ²SPRI

Abstract: Sugarcane can play a role in helping the United States meet its need for renewable transportation fuel as well as food and feed.   Research being conducted at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service’s Sugarcane Research Laboratory at Houma, Louisiana is geared to developing high biomass (sugar and cellulose) yielding varieties with levels of cold tolerance that will allow an expansion of the geographic range of adaptation to areas of the South beyond where sugarcane is traditionally grown.  The use of companion cane-type grasses are also being explored to further extend the harvest season.  Research being conducted by Sugar Processing Research Institute is geared to examine chemical variations between various species of sugarcane and related genera to determine differences that could either enhance or inhibit energy production.  This paper discusses the role of both organizations in providing for a more focused approach to breeding for higher value sugarcane crops.

Biotechnology, The North American Beet Sugar Entrance into this Exciting Era, Tom Schwartz, Beet Sugar Development Foundation and American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Abstract: The North American Beet Sugar sector has been working for nearly the past decade on the introduction of biotechnology. In the mid 1990’s both Roundup Ready® and Liberty Link® were being developed and we had hoped to plant. There were many reasons this did not occur, but suffice it to say that the industry had not prepared itself well enough. In 2002 the industry again began working on Roundup Ready® sugar beet. The process of deregulation of event H7-1 was began and development of varieties that contained the needed traits, such as disease resistance, insect resistance, yield, sucrose content and purity was also initiated. Also around this time period, the Sugar Industry Biotech Council was formed for the purpose of assisting in introduction of sugar beet and sugar cane varieties from biotechnology. In 2006 the Beet Sugar Development Foundation conducted the first commercial demonstration of Roundup Ready® sugar beet in Idaho. In 2007 the industry conducted a similar commercial demonstration in Michigan. Both of these were tremendous successes and helped pave the way for commercial introduction of the technology in 2008. The paper will discuss the events that lead up to this development, the results of the two demonstrations, the first year of commercial application and a look to the future.

Commercial Production of Fullerenes from Cane Molasses: A Major Breakthrough for the Sugar Industry, Kaman Singh, Ram Bharose and Amar Deep, Department of Chemistry, University of Lucknow, Locknow-226007, India, E-mail: drkamansingh@yahoo

Abstract: On account of their diverse applications from high tech to nanotech, electronics to catalysts and from defence to medicine, fullerenes will be required in large quantities. Hence, relatively cheap and abundant sources for commercial preparation of fullerenes are desirable. Fullerenes were discovered from commercially available material; cane molasses; a byproduct of sugar industry. Furthermore, production of fullerene from molasses would be more than 90 times cheaper than produced from graphite. The current price of [60] fullerenes is very roughly the price of gold, for [C70] fullerenes, it is about an order of magnitude larger, and that of higher fullerenes very much higher. Thus, a waste cane molasses may be a boon for sugar industry. Thus, it could be major breakthrough for the sugar industry in the commercial production of fullerenes from waste molasses.

Caribbean: Increasing Competitiveness of the Sugar Industry through Biofuels, Maureen R. Wilson, Sugar Industry Research Institute, Mandeville, Jamaica, email: maureen.wilson@jamaicasugar.org, maureenwil@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT: The Caribbean is traditionally known as a sugar producing territory having grown sugarcane for over three hundred years. With the phased 36% reduction in price for the sugar sold to the EU now in effect, several of the islands have closed their industry and the other regional industries are in different phases of restructuring in an attempt to ensure their economic survival. The Caribbean must leverage its strength as a sugarcane producer and explore new income streams such as cogeneration and the production of ethanol for fuel. The mainland territories, Belize and Guyana, can also explore planting oil crops for the production of biodiesel. These approaches will increase the competitive state of the sugar industries and allow countries to partially meet their energy needs, export to several markets, increase the quality of rural life and play a useful role in tackling climate change. Science, Technology and Innovation coupled with the proper legislative framework must be employed to rapidly advance this biofuels sector. Partnership agreements with Governments and Companies owning proprietary information are needed so that the most efficient conversion technologies can be employed, allowing for integrated processes including multiple feedstock and maximized profits, while at the same time implementing stringent management protocols needed to protect and sustain the environment.

SHORT COMMERCIAL PRESENTATIONS

Fluidized Bed Sugar Conditioner, Burkhard Bartels and Reinhold Hempelmann, BMA AG, Am Alten Bahnhof 5, 38122 Braunschweig, Deutschland, Germany, Tel: 49-531-804-500, Fax: 49-531-804-216, Burkhard.Bartels@bma-de.com

Abstract: Cooling and in particular conditioning is the final step of white and refined sugar production. It transfers the sugar into a stable condition for storage, packaging and transportation. Certain equipment is known to the industry for this duty which is mainly based on fluidized bed technology or contact cooling during gravity flow. Although the fluidized bed has always been superior with its excellent heat transfer coefficients and its conditioning effect (removal of remaining moisture), the disadvantage of it so far has been the high power requirement related to the necessary air flow. Such has lately been reduced by implementing cooling coils into the bed using contact cooling under fluidized condition. The latest development in this field is now a unit which uses a vertical arrangement of cooling coils within a fluidized bed. This has advantages with regard to foot print and cross section as well as to the required air flow rate. There is a real countercurrent flow between sugar (downwards by gravity) and air (upwards by forced draught). Very little air is needed just to maintain the fluidized bed whereas sugar transport is by gravity only. This reduces all air related equipment and power requirements. The unit contains a novel air distribution bottom which simultaneously serves as sugar outlet device. By this means, sugar flow is secured even when there is no airflow. In addition, the pressure drop caused by the bottom is also reduced significantly as compared with conventional fluidized bed units.

Wet Scrubbers Used In The Control Of Air Pollution From Bagasse Boilers

Warren Brame, MikroPul, Australia

Abstract: Bagasse Boilers without smoke control will emit large amount of black smoke. In the early years mechanical collectors were used to reduce the local grit fallout. This was accepted before EPA legislation was enforced and also when the cane was burned before harvesting its burning produced more pollution than the mill. Today with most harvesting done by mechanical means and with the more stringent laws on emissions it is a requirement to install equipment to reduce the emissions to less than 100 Milligrams per cubic meter. This reduction has other benefits to the mill operation as it reduces the wear on the fan wheel which was a major cost to repair each season. In the 1970 one of the largest groups of mills requested six manufactures of wet scrubbers to participate in a series of test to compare the various models performance. They also had their own design and wanted to establish the best unit for their conversion from mechanical collectors to wet scrubbers. MikroPul built a pilot plant that was equipped with its own recycling water system. In order to ascertain that the gas had been fully saturated, inlet and outlet temperature gauges were fitted. The unit was fitted with a variable pressure disk to analyze the performance at the lowest energy consumption. In the early days the EPA code was not very stringent 250 Milligrams was the normal. The advantage of a low emission from the scrubber is that it protects the fan from erosion through the entire mill season with only minor rebalancing required at the end of tour. Most operators will give a coat of intershield paint during shutdown to extend the life of the fan wheel. If Bagasse is the only fuel being burned, selection of construction material is straight forward. The scrubbing liquid should be examined for PH, chlorides and chlorine as these can have a serious effect on corrosion and wear particularly at the elevated temperatures scrubbers operate. Material range from Carbon steel to various grades of Stainless and mainly depends on fuel being burned. Scrubbing Liquid should be maintained at a neutral Ph. How does a scrubber work? Gas enters the inlet to forms a cyclonic pattern. This forces the larger more abrasive dust against the wall in the 1^st stage of the body. The gas enters the wash section of vanes which feed the gas at about 40 degree angle to increase a cyclonic vortex. Water is introduced over a plate just above the vortex which in turn cleans the finer dust from the air stream and drains into an outer ring.

Above the wash section is an excess moisture eliminator section which continues to induce the vortex at a more acute angle. Final excess moisture is then removed in the open circular vessel before leaving for the stack. The scrubber is usually located just before the induced draft fan. There have been new developments and solutions in Australia for bagasse scrubbers. The Mikrovane is a very economical scrubber to build but requires costly outlet ducting and requires more space than our recent low energy type Venturi Scrubber. Another advantage of the Venturi is that it will handle a wide range of gas volumes and handles boiler turn down without effecting efficiency. Today in Australia the most economical way to control emission from mill boilers is by the use of Wet Scrubbers

The Florida Sugar Industry And Palm Beach Community College Reviving The Sugar Technology Degree In North America, Tere Pi Johnson. Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Belle Glade, FL, USA

Abstract: The Sugar Technology Institute (STI) at Palm Beach Community College opened its doors this fall semester.  The enrolled class will be the first students in over thirty years to be working towards a Sugar Technology degree in North America. This presentation outlines the history of sugar cane from Persia to Europe to North America.  It compares the situation in the U.S. in the early 1890’s with the present one; both of which spurred the development of a degreed program in Sugar Technology. The initial process for developing the curriculum for the STI is summarized and finally, the courses offered for the A.S. degree in Sugar Technology are presented.

High Antioxidant – Low GI Sugar, “The Sucrose Reovlution,” David Kannar ¹, Barry Kitchen ¹, and Richard Weisinger ², ¹ Horizon Science, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia, ² LaTrobe University

Abstract: Obesity is a major health problem throughout the developed world, associated with more than 30 medical conditions including hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes (Kopelman, 2000; Friedman, 2000). These chronic conditions are reported to be responsible for 60% of all deaths and is expected to increase to 75% by the year 2020 (WHO 2006, WHO 2003). The mechanisms controlling body weight in humans are complex and include genetic, physiological, and behavioral (Martinez, 2000). One of the most important factors identified in the development of obesity is high intake of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor over processed foods including white refined sugar (Swinburn, Caterson, Seidell, & James, 2004). As diet is a major modifiable risk factor, the identification of simple, cost-effective strategies for prevention and management of obesity and diabetes has become a matter of urgency (Barclay, 2008).

Over recent years changes in the quantity and quality of fat have received considerable attention, but the role of carbohydrates is less clear (WHO 2003). As carbohydrate is the main dietary component affecting insulin secretion and postprandial glycemia (Brand-Miller, 2004), it is implicated in the etiology of many chronic diseases. In 1981, the glycemic index (GI) was introduced by Jenkins et al (Jenkins, 1981) as a method of quantifying the glycemic response to carbohydrates in different foods. GI is now recognized as an important indicator of glucose response and insulin demand induced by a serving of food (Salmeron, 1997). In recent studies GI has also been clearly identified as a powerful tool in managing the prevention of diabetes (Barclay, 2008) and obesity (McMillan-Price, 2006).

Poylyphenols are a large class of plant metabolites characterized by aromatic rings and hydroxyl groups, with powerful antioxidant properties and numerous potential health (Kao, Chang, Lee & Chen, 2006; Manach, Scalbert, Morand, Remesy, & Jimenez, 2004; Williamson & Manach, 2005). Sugarcane contains a unique mix of antioxidant polyphenols such as phenolic acids of two classes, hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g. caffeic, ferulic and chlorogenic acids). Modern agricultural practices and sugar refining have been reported to reduce most of there phytochemicals, minerals and polyphenols (Kalt, 2005; Asami, 2003). For this reason some nutritionists suggest refined sugar is a “hollow nutrient.” If increasing dietary consumption of polyphenols can reduce risk of serious chronic diseases, it seems obvious that retention of these valuable compounds in sugar should be explored.

As evidence of GI reduction and anti-obesity properties with consumption of sugarcane polyphenols (PP’s) is rare, we investigated their influence and mechanisms. When carefully retained in sugar during processing, doses of 25-40 mg PP’s/100g consistently reduce GI to below 55 in humans compared to 68-70 for white sugar (control). Inclusion of higher does of sugarcane polyphenols (200 & 400 mg/100g) in a high-fat diet of C57BL mice decreased body weight gain over a 10 week period. Animals consuming sugarcane polyphenols had less body fat, but increased lean mass. The decrease in fat mass was associated with reduced leptin in the blood of test mice. Neither adiponectin nor free fatty acid levels were altered. Faecal energy content was higher in sugarcane polyphenol fed mice suggesting that a reduction in digestion and absorption of fat was involved.

As treatment of obesity, diabetes and reduction of GI by increasing the intakes of sugarcane polyphenols in the diet seems warranted, we have developed high antioxidant sugar and polyphenol extracts. The most cost effective processing method to retain antioxidants during sugar processing was membrane filtration (MF) of sugar processing waste streams and incorporation of the enriched polyphenol syrup prior to drying. This new high antioxidant sugar has application of the enriched polyphenol syrup prior to drying. This new high antioxidant sugar has application as an ingredient in all food formulations except clear carbonated beverages.

This work was funded with support from the Queensland State Government sugar innovation fund, and Australian Federal Government AusIndustry grant. The support and scientific assistance provided by the Mossman Central Sugar Mill, Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service (SUGiRS) is gratefully acknowledged.

Crystallisation – Long Solved (?) Mysteries In A New Light, Bernd Langhans, Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany

Abstract: This paper on crystallisation is from the view of 20 years of automation of the crystallisation process showing the secrets behind saturation curves and the handling of fine grain. The paper gives an overview of strategies in automation of the pans and integrating the demands of process control, and process optimisation."

Ecosorb “Extender” Products For Complete Or Partial Replacement Of PAC In Sugar Refining, George Jasovsky and Jerry Lengen. Graver Technologies, Glasgow, DE, USA

Abstract: Graver Tech recently introduced its new Ecosorb® S 489 adsorbent that acts as an “extender” to reduce or eliminate PAC and associated DE usage for the decolorization of clarified sugar liquor prior to crystallization.  Graver has demonstrated reductions in PAC dosages of 80% or more, or, when used in combination with Graver’s activated carbon containing Ecosorb products, complete elimination of PAC and DE body feed.  Benefits include longer filter cycles, greatly reduced solid waste generation and sweetwater production, elimination or reduction in exposure to crystalline silica, elimination or reduction in PAC dust, and lower overall operating costs.  Graver will present pilot plant and plant data on the use of Ecosorb S 489 with both reduced levels of PAC and DE, and with PAC containing Ecosorb products.  Graver will provide recommendations on how to implement the use of Ecosorb S-489 in typical refinery configurations.

Better Process Control and Large Savings by Real-Time Measurement of Sugar Colour, Bjarne Nielsen, Neltec Denmark, Bevloft DK-6541, Denmark

In sugar processing one minor error somewhere in the process may go unnoticed for hours or day, because the results from laboratory test do not become available until hours after the error occurred. Process errors increase the colour of the sugar. If an error increases the colour by just 2 or 3 IU, the error may not be noticed as many variations in the incoming raw material lead to much higer variations in the process. The real-time monitoring of the process enables detection of small errors, because they result in sudden – even small – jumps in the curve of the colour. To compensate for the uncertainty, it is common practice to make much better sugar than required and paid for by the customers. This insurance against bad sugar in the silo is very expensive in terms of chemicals used, and the resulting decrease in effective sugar house capacity is significant. The paper shows examples of errors detected in real-time by the Neltec ColourQ colorimeter. Automatic and real-time process control by the instrument is described as well as results obtained by a factory applying the ColourQ in their persistent search for process optimizations.

SPRI's Vision: Future Research in the World Sweetener Industry, Charley Richard, Mary An Godshall, Marianne McKee, Ronnie Triche, Xavier Miranda, Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc.

Abstract: For years the International Sweetener community has largely focused almost solely on sweetened products for direct consumption. This was easily justified since these products provided the largest economic return from sweetener crops. However, as the sweetener industry continues to evolve in a globally competitive world, some industries find that they must look beyond the traditional. While improvement of conventional sugarcane and sugarbeet manufacturing processes continues to be important, research relative to the utilization of intermediate and final products from the sweetener industry for alternative products is now a major issue. Healthiness and safety of food products from sweetener crops are critical in a troubled world; environmental concerns and carbon footprints of agricultural production and processing of sweetener crops is important in a sustainable program; uses of newer technologies such as improved plant breeding schemes and biotechnology are important to economic viability of sweetener crop production; production of energy from renewable resources such as sweetener crops is crucial given escalating petroleum prices; and designing new sweetener products to better serve modern consumers are all researchable issues that Sugar Processing Research Institute (SPRI) is now or could be involved with. This paper explores in more detail these issues which SPRI considers itself to have expertise and the capability of providing a return on investment for research expenditures.

Turbo Filtering, Attilio Turchetti and Fernando Piancastelli, Mecat – Filtrações Industrias, Br. 060 KM 213 SIN, Bleco B Centro – Abadia de Goiás, Goiás, Brasil, Tel: 55-62-3503-1155, Fax: 55-62-3503-1155, E-mail: attilio@mecat.com.br

The turbo filtering is an innovation technology in the finishing processing of sugar, and ethanol. The Turbo Filtering is a continuous process for the separation of suspended insoluble micro-solids and / or colloidal matters in liquid, without atmospheric contact, without fragmentation of microparticles, and with the separated solid reject moisture around 80%. This process is an innovation because it allows to process large volumes of juice through small filtering surfaces with low energy consumption.

This system is monitorated for a computer program, and can realize the counter / current washing of filtering surface, the C.I.P., and the stop of process in case of incorrect operation.

The principal characteristic of this innovation technology is the dynamic, for which the product to be processed by this dynamic, hits the filtering surface at an angle (obliquely) so that the micro particles meet the micro holes of filtering surface with the reduced size virtually, while the liquid, being without geometry, drains for the real size of micro holes. The Turbo Filter is employed in the processing of clarified juice after the decantation tank and in the concentrated juice (Syrup) before cooking.

POSTERS

Color Measurement – Are all methods equal?, Marianne Mckee, Ronnie Triche, Mary An Godshall and Charley Richard. Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, LA, 70124.

At Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc. (SPRI), we have noted that raw sugar color is being measured using any of several different methods. Using these different methods to measure color can have a wide ranging effect on the determined value of the raw sugar. We studied the effect of two different methods on raw sugar color by measuring the color according to the International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) method and the raw sugar contract (No. 14) of the New York Board of Trade method (often called the Domino Contract method or sometimes the modified ICUMSA method). The color ratio for the Domino contract color to ICUMSA color ranged from 1.17 to 2.23 with an average of 1.95. The lower color raw sugars showed the greatest differences in determined color value using these two methods.

USA 2008 Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc. 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Phone: 504-286-4343, Fax: 504-282-5378 E-mail: spri@ars.usda.gov

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