Effect of single-boiling crystallization of high-yielding sugarcane KY01-2044 on sugar and molasses production

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of single-boiling crystallization of high-yielding sugarcane on sugar and molasses production on a factory-plant scale compared with triple-boiling crystallization of conventional sugarcane. The sugar extraction at the roll-milling process was similar between high-yielding sugarcane KY01-2044 with high fiber and conventional sugarcane NiF8. The weight of sugar yield per sugarcane decreased by 32.6 % compared with the conventional system, whereas the yield of molasses and bagasse increased by 143.1 % and 11.5 %, respectively. The results indicated that sugar, molasses, and bagasse-derived electricity could increase simultaneously when the yields of high-yielding sugarcane were higher by a factor of 1.5 than conventional levels. Furthermore, A-molasses obtained by a single-boiling crystallization had less coloration and better fermentability and operability than conventional C-molasses. In conclusion, this study showed that combining high-yielding sugarcane and single-boiling crystallization could increase sugar production and generate high-quality molasses suitable for biofuel and bagasse-derived electricity production.