Manufacture of Sugar from the Cane and Beet

THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM THE CANE AND BEET by T. H. P. HERIOT. Originally published in 1920. PREFACE: IT has often been stated that the sugar producer can only be trained in the factory, theoretical knowledge being of little value. The aim of the present work is to show that successful practice is becoming more and more dependent on scientific principles, which can be studied more effectively outside the factory than inside. It is worth recording that the British cane-sugar producer followed the beet-sugar producer in adopting the following inventions and processes 1 Bone-char and sulphur dioxide, for bleaching the juipe the Carbonatation Process, for puri fying and clarifying thejuice the Diffusion Process, for extract ing sugar from the plant the filter, press the multiple-effect evaporator in vacuo the vacuum pan apparatus for crystal lisation-in-motion the use of seed-grain in the vacuum pan the centrifugal machine for curing sugar the centri fugal machine for clarifying juice technical schools for the study of sugar-technology and chemical control of manufacturing operations. The French cane-sugar industry led the way in systematic experiments in manuring of the cane experiments on extrac tion of juice by milling the invention of shredders, to increase the mill-extraction and the diffusion of sliced cane. The British cane-sugar producer is probably not aware that his up-to-date factory is borrowed from his rival, for he shows little or no interest in the problems of beet-sugar manufacture. The student of sugar-technology should have a wider outlook, and keep in touch with all branches of sugar production, although he can only hope to specialise in one. The present work will enable him to study the two industries 1 Sec Noel Deerrs A Brief Sketch of Discovery and Invention in the Sn ar Industry side by side to note the progress made in each and the differences in practice which have arisen from differences in the raw materials treated, although the same substance is extracted. The two industries are treated in separate Parts, or in separate Chapters enabling the reader to follow the con secutive operations in one industry, if he so desires the Table of Contents being a sufficient guide. Additional Parts deal with the by-products of the two industries, and the refining of sugar. Other sugar-producing plants are briefly described. ...