Membrane distillation for the concentration of raw cane-sugar syrup and membrane clarified sugarcane juice

Membrane Distillation (MD) is a process being investigated the world over as a low cost energy saving alternative
to conventional separation processes such as distillation and reverse osmosis. MD has a wide range of benefits such
as a 100% (theoretical) rejection of ionic species, macromolecules, colloids, cells and other non-volatiles, lower operating pressures, reduced chemical interaction between membrane and process solutions, less demanding
membrane mechanical properties and reduced vapour spaces. This process is ideally suited for the concentration of
aqueous streams such as fruit juice and sugar solutions. Clarified cane sugar solution (20”Brix) obtained from the
sugar mill, immediately after the Dorr filtration was subjected to membrane distillation, whereby the sensible heat from this stream was used to remove water as vapour through a hydrophobic polypropylene membrane. The influence
of cross-flow rate and continuous water addition on flux was evaluated.