Optimization of Phosphate and Anionic Polyacrylamide Flocculant (APF) Level for Sugar Cane Juice Clarification Using Central Composite Design

This study was conducted to determine the optimum conditions of phosphate (P2O5) and the anionic polyacrylamide flocculant (APF) that could result in best cane juice clarification. Two sugar cane varieties (B52298 and NCO334) were used. The P2O5 for both varieties was at 158.6, 200, 300, 400 and 441.4 (mg/L) and APF were used at 0.59, 1, 2, 3 and 3.41 ppm and 0.17, 1, 3, 5 and 5.83 for B52298 and NCO334, respectively. For the B52298 variety, the optimum ranges of levels were 192.2–270 mg/L P2O5 and 2.91–3.41 ppm of APF. For NCO334 variety, the optimum ranges of levels were 229–264.5 mg/L P2O5 and 5.13–5.83 ppm of APF. Practical Applications A profitable and economical process calls for optimal combination process input. High clear juice turbidity, high product color and lower rate of crystallization were some of the problems that the sugar factory is facing. To minimize these problems, dosing of the optimum amount of phosphate and anionic polyacrylamide flocculant is essential and remains a question to be answered by research. The variability in the composition of the juice as a result of differing geographical location, cane variety and seasonal influence as well as the conditions to which the cane is subjected during harvesting and transportation makes the nature of the research to be area specific; hence, there is no universal dose of phosphate and flocculant so as to produce the best possible quality clear juice. Each factory is therefore essentially unique and adopts a system of clarification based on the simple defecation process with modifications usually determined by a combination of research and experience.