K-Patents Applications in the Corn Starch Sweetener Industry
Starch Sweetener Processing: Overview of process control
K-Patents provides process refractometers for accurate in-line Brix and concentration measurements in the refining process of corn starch sweeteners. The purpose is to control the raw and in-process materials in order to achieve high quality corn syrups, dextrose and fructose.
Ref: Application Note 1.03.01 pdf

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Ion exchanger: Sweetening on-off control
In the ion exchange process the resins require periodic regeneration. Before the regeneration is allowed to take place the columns are rinsed with water to remove the sugar. K-Patents Process Refractometer is used to monitor the interface between product and rinse water prior to the regeneration procedure in order to start an automatic diversion to the sweet water storage when the stream achieves a set point (typically 0.5 - 2,0%). Similar control is required in carbon columns in carbon transfer.
Ref: Application Note 1.03.02 pdf

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Evaporation: Thin juice to evaporator, Evaporation control, Concentrated syrup in evaporator outlet
The concentration of syrup to evaporation can be kept constant by controlling the mixing of concentrated syrup with the K-Patents Process Refractometer, thus allowing the capacity of the evaporators to be maximized. Using K-Patents in the intermediate stage the profitability can be increased in the form of minimized steam consumption.
Ref: Application Note 1.03.03 pdf

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Crystallizer: Cooling crystallizer
The supersaturated syrup begins to crystallize when the temperature slowly decreases. The concentration of the mother liquor also decreases and fresh syrup must be fed to the crystallizer in order to maintain the supersaturation. K-Patents Process Refractometer is used to monitor the concentration, which makes it possible to keep the supersaturation at the desired level.
Ref: Application Note 1.03.04 pdf

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Chromatographic separation: Separation of fructose and glucose
K-Patents Process Refractometer measures the total concentration of fructose and glucose in column-chromatographic separation. Glucose leaves the columns first and is thus separated from the fructose fraction. A polarimeter measures the purity of the fructose and glucose. These two signals are used to calculate the fructose and glucose concentrations separately. Based on this information the valves are controlled to direct the fructose and glucose into separate tanks.
Ref: Application Note 1.03.05 pdf

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Active carbon column: Sweetening on-off control
K-Patents Process Refractometer is placed in the sweet water discharge line from the carbon column. The purpose of the in-line measurement is to give a signal to the process controller when the discharge flow should be directed to the sweet water line and when the column is ready for carbon transfer.
Ref: Application Note 1.03.06 pdf

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To find out how You can benefit from using a K-Patents Process Refractometer, please contact us or send us an Information request.