Margarita Amaya
Ingenio Risaralda S.A. (Sugar Mill), Km 2 vía La Virginia – Balboa, Risaralda, Colombia
Sugar color is a key quality parameter affecting market acceptance and profitability. Conventional decolorizing agents add costs to sugar production, driving the need for alternative methods. This study evaluated anionic-cationic flocculant mixtures in juice clarification to enhance color reduction without decolorizing agents. Factory trials were conducted to determine the optimal flocculant ratio, followed by a 3-month implementation period. The best-performing mixture consisted of 85% anionic and 15% cationic flocculant. The optimized process reduced white sugar color by 16%, eliminated the need for decolorizing agents, and decreased flocculant consumption by 36%. Additionally, clarification improvements enhanced mud consistency, sedimentation, and juice quality. These findings demonstrate that anionic-cationic flocculant mixtures effectively reduce sugar color while lowering production costs, offering a cost-efficient alternative for the industry.