Vacuum Pumps for Sugar Processing
Sugar plants use vacuum for crystallization pans and rotary/vacuum filters. The service is humid, carries entrained solids and runs around the clock through the campaign.
Liquid ring pumps suit this duty: cast-iron or stainless machines with a separator handle the carryover, and the wide operating range follows the varying pan vacuum. We supply CL-class and single/two-stage units to match original Nash/SIHI machines.
On vacuum pans, the pump removes air leakage and non-condensables after the process condenser; on rotary filters, it draws filtrate through the cake and receives a wetter, dirtier gas stream. These are different duties, so suction pressure, gas load and expected liquid carryover should be stated separately rather than selecting from motor power or an old model designation alone.
A generously sized inlet receiver or separator protects the pump from syrup, foam and solids, and clean-out connections help during campaign washdown. Cast iron may suit neutral water service, while 304 or 316 stainless wetted parts are selected according to juice chemistry, chlorides and cleaning chemicals. Either packing or mechanical seals can be used; the choice should reflect leakage tolerance, maintenance practice and the liquid being circulated.
For a closed-loop seal-water system, the separator, cooler and purge rate must prevent heat and dissolved process contaminants from building up through the campaign. Warmer seal liquid reduces vacuum capacity, while operation too close to the liquid's vapour-pressure limit raises cavitation risk. Provide upstream separation for solids and verify the pump at the hottest expected seal-water condition.
Pumps for this duty: