COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF SULFUR-FREE CLARIFICATION OF EXTRACT FROM SUGAR-BEARING PLANTS
A composition and method for clarification of extract from sugar-bearing plants is provided. In particular, the composition comprises a mixture of one or more natural adsorbing actives and one or more inorganic coagulating or flocculating agents. The composition can be a solid or an aqueous suspension that is added to the aqueous stream of a sugar clarification process used in sugar bearing plants.
1 . An aqueous sugar-containing composition comprising:
a) an adsorbing compound chosen from keiselguhrs, kaolins, zeolites, montminrollites, attapulgites, palygorskites, bentonites, clays, volcanic ash, and combinations thereof;
b) an inorganic coagulating agent;
c) a plant extract comprising sugar; and
d) water.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the adsorbing compound and the inorganic coagulating agent are combined, and the combination is added to the plant extract.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic coagulating agent is chosen from an aluminum salt.
4 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the aluminum salt is chosen from aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride, or combinations thereof.
5 . The composition of claim 3 , wherein the aluminum salt is polyaluminum chloride.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the adsorbing compound is present in an amount of from about 0.03 wt. % to about 1.0 wt. %, of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 0.9 wt. %, or of from about 0.3 wt. % to about 0.6 wt. %, based on a total weight of the composition; and
the inorganic coagulating agent is present in an amount of from about 0.08 wt. % to about 1.0 wt. % based on a total weight of the composition.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension, and the adsorbing compound is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt. % to about 0.6 wt. %, or of from about 0.01 wt. %, to about 0.5 wt. %, or of from about 0.05 wt. % to about 0.3 wt. %, based on a total weight of the composition; and
the inorganic coagulating agent is present in an amount of from about 0.4 wt. % to about 1.0 wt. % based on a total weight of the composition.
8 . A method for improved clarification of a plant extract comprising sugar, water, and impurities, said method comprising:
providing the plant extract;
combining the plant extract with
a) an adsorbing compound chosen from keiselguhrs, kaolins, zeolites, montminrollites, attapulgites, palygorskites, bentonites, clays, volcanic ash, and combinations thereof; and
b) an inorganic coagulating agent, to form an aqueous sugar-containing composition; and
separating the impurities from the aqueous sugar-containing composition.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the adsorbing compound and the inorganic coagulating agent are combined, and the combination is added to the plant extract.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the inorganic coagulating agent is chosen from an aluminum salt.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the aluminum salt is chosen from aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride, or combinations thereof.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the aluminum salt is polyaluminum chloride.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the adsorbing compound is present in an amount of from about 0.03 wt. % to about 1.0 wt. % based on a total weight of the composition; and
the inorganic coagulating agent is present in an amount of from about 0.08 wt. % to about 1.0 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 0.9 wt. %, or of from about 0.3 wt. % to about 0.6 wt. %, based on a total weight of the composition.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension, and the adsorbing compound is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt. % to about 0.6 wt. % based on a total weight of the composition; and
the inorganic coagulating agent is present in an amount of from about 0.4 wt. % to about 1.0 wt. % based on a total weight of the composition.
15 . A method for reducing the amount of lime consumption in the clarification of a sugar-bearing plant extract comprising
a) providing a sugar-bearing extract comprising sugar and water;
b) adding to the sugar-bearing extract a composition comprising: an adsorbing compound chosen from keiselguhrs, kaolins, zeolites, montminrollites, attapulgites, palygorskites, bentonites, clays, volcanic ash, and combinations thereof; and an inorganic coagulating agent.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein lime consumption is reduced by at least 50 when compared with the consumption of lime using a sulfitation process.