29 - Applications of Process Integration Methodologies in Beet Sugar Plants

This chapter discusses the applications of Process Integration methods to the design of energy systems, and water and wastewater systems, of beet sugar plants. Characteristic features of conventional sugar plants based on purification of raw beet juice and evaporating crystallisation are reviewed, the design of plant retrofit aimed at improvements in energy and water use is discussed, and case studies are presented. A concept of the sugar production process based on cooling crystallisation of raw beet juice is then outlined, and the design of an energy system and a water and wastewater system for a conceptual beet sugar plant employing the new process is discussed.