Selecting exhaustion profiles for low grade massecuite processing

When processing C massecuite through the crystalliser, whether derived from batch or continuous pans, the production superintendent is often faced with a number of discrete processing alternatives. This paper explores the outcomes of some of these options and reports on the exhaustion achieved in both pilot scale and factory trials for high and low shear rates, various cooling trajectories, different end-of-cooling temperatures and use of dilution to allow lower cooling temperatures to be achieved. The investigations were conducted at three factories and encompassed massecuites of varying impurity/water ratios. Suggestions to achieve improved massecuite exhaustion are given.