Importance

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Abstract

A sugar refining process uses carbon dioxide obtained from a module containing a plurality of gas-permeable polymeric membranes. Flue gas from a boiler is scrubbed, and then passed through the gas-separation module. The output of the module contains an enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide, in the range of about 20% by volume. The carbon dioxide enhanced gas is then directed into a reactor in which raw sugar is exposed to carbon dioxide to cause carbonation, an essential step in the decolorization of the raw sugar. The same boiler used to produce the carbon dioxide is also used to produce steam which drives the reaction. The present invention provides carbon dioxide for carbonation in a highly efficient manner, as the gas separation membrane has no moving parts and requires little maintenance. The invention is especially suited for retrofitting existing sugar refining plants, to improve their efficiency, at a relatively small cost.

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First Claim