NRS process
Encyclopedia
The "New Regeneration System" NRS process is a process to reduce calcium from beet-root thin-juice. It is used in beet-sugar
factories to improve the capacity and operating time of evaporators and to produce soft molasses
that can be further de-sugarised with chromatography
.
The original technology was invented by AKZO for a different application. It was first used in French sugar factories, starting in the 1970s. Plants may have a capacity of some 100 up to 1000 m³/h and more.
The system is often used in the USA, France, and Britain. German sugar makers traditionally prefer to invest into bigger evaporation capacity.
The NRS-installation will consist of a number of columns filled with strong-acid-cationic resin. It is installed after carbonatation and filtration and before evaporation.
The resin
is loaded with sodium
Na+ ion
s, that are exchanged for calcium Ca++. The softened juice will then be evaporated.
For the regeneration of the resin softened juice will be mixed with caustic-soda (NaOH) and will be sent to the columns to transform the resin back into Na-form. The calcium-rich juice with high pH is sent in several fractions to the beginning of the clarification process, where alcalinisation is needed and the calcium is absorbed by the solid organic matter.
Chemicals are consumed in about the same amount as in traditional technology.
The resin is robust, stable and not expensive.
The control technology is simple.
Less soda needed.
Reduces possible turbidity.
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
factories to improve the capacity and operating time of evaporators and to produce soft molasses
Molasses
Molasses is a viscous by-product of the processing of sugar cane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The word molasses comes from the Portuguese word melaço, which ultimately comes from mel, the Latin word for "honey". The quality of molasses depends on the maturity of the sugar cane or sugar beet,...
that can be further de-sugarised with chromatography
Chromatography
Chromatography is the collective term for a set of laboratory techniques for the separation of mixtures....
.
The original technology was invented by AKZO for a different application. It was first used in French sugar factories, starting in the 1970s. Plants may have a capacity of some 100 up to 1000 m³/h and more.
The system is often used in the USA, France, and Britain. German sugar makers traditionally prefer to invest into bigger evaporation capacity.
The NRS-installation will consist of a number of columns filled with strong-acid-cationic resin. It is installed after carbonatation and filtration and before evaporation.
The resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
is loaded with sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
Na+ ion
Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass between electrodes in a...
s, that are exchanged for calcium Ca++. The softened juice will then be evaporated.
For the regeneration of the resin softened juice will be mixed with caustic-soda (NaOH) and will be sent to the columns to transform the resin back into Na-form. The calcium-rich juice with high pH is sent in several fractions to the beginning of the clarification process, where alcalinisation is needed and the calcium is absorbed by the solid organic matter.
Features of the process
It is effluent free and uses the product for regeneration.Chemicals are consumed in about the same amount as in traditional technology.
The resin is robust, stable and not expensive.
The control technology is simple.
Effects of the process
Reduces the calcium content.Less soda needed.
Reduces possible turbidity.