Energy-efficient membrane separations in the sweetener industry. Final report for Phase I

Technical Report · Tue Feb 14 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6178459

Babcock, W C

The objective of the program is to investigate the use of membrane processes as energy-efficient alternatives to conventional separation processes in current use in the corn sweetener industry. Two applications of membranes were studied during the program: (1) the concentration of corn steep water by reverse osmosis; and (2) the concentration of dilute wastes called sweetwater with a combination of reverse osmosis and a process known as countercurrent reverse osmosis. Laboratory experiments were conducted for both applications, and the results were used to conduct technical and economic analyses of the process. It was determined that the concentration of steep water by reverse osmosis plus triple-effect evaporation offers savings of a factor of 2.5 in capital costs and a factor of 4.5 in operating costs over currently used triple-effect evaporation. In the concentration of sweetwater by reverse osmosis and countercurrent reverse osmosis, capital costs would be about the same as those for triple-effect evaporation, but operating costs would be only about one-half those of triple-effect evaporation.

• Research Organization: Bend Research, Inc., OR (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-82ID12425
• OSTI ID: 6178459
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12425-T1; ON: DE85006586
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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SACCHARIDES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EVAPORATION
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MEMBRANES
MOLASSES
OSMOSIS
STARCH
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