Very low colour sugar production at Plane Creek mill

In November 1995, CSR's Plane Creek Mill commenced production of very low colour sugar (VLC). This was an innovative attempt to gain a competitive edge in the overall cost of producing refined sugar from sugar cane. VLC production is not restricted to crushing seasons, as it also involves operating some of the plant at Plane Creek during traditional mill maintenance seasons processing raw sugar made at other sugar mills to VLC quality (so called the melt season). Raw sugar from other mills is also supplemented into the process during the crushing season at times of low CCS, to keep the VLC plant at maximum production. This paper describes the VLC process at Plane Creek Mill, including aspects specific to the melt season, and how the process is integrated into the factory during the crushing season. The changes and additions to the plant that were made at Plane Creek are described, as well as subsequent additions. The original VLC throughput and quality specifications, and performance to date, are tabled. The major technical improvements in improving throughput and quality are described.