advanced

technologies
- worldwide
Technological aspects:
The throughput of a continuous centrifuge is determined through various factors:
Machine characteristic:
screens slots
screen area
motor size
revolution (rpm)
basket inclination
g-factor
Local aspects:
massecuite feed pressure (product column)
water quality (temperature, pressure)
steam quality (temperature, pressure)
Massecuite quality:
purity
viscosity
sugar content
Technological basis:
The quality of the sugar to be produced can be influenced by:
Adjustment of:
the massecuite flow rate on the control unit
the steam and water quantities (feed pipe)
the water flow of the water washing system
Fig.1: Relationship purity to wash water
application
Figure 1 shows the results from a large
number of test made with low raw
massecuite. It is evident from the diagram
that the molasses purity goes up when a
small amount of water is added. Experience
shows that the molasses purity drops to an
optimum level for the massecuite concerned
as the amount of wash water added is
increased. This level remains until too much
water starts to partially melt the sugar
crystals. Best results are achieved (range B)
by applying the correct quantities of wash
water and wash steam.
Operation and capacity of continuous centrifuges
Normal operation, not including centrifuge cleaning, requires approx. 1-3 % water and 1% steam
on throughput. It has to be considered that a fine adjustment of the centrifuges operation has to
be done by applying the wash water in a special ratio through the feed pipe and nozzles. The
ratio depends on the massecuite quality.
Some people claim:
An American centrifuge manufacturer claims that one of their continuous centrifuges can
achieve more than twice the capacity of a BMA K 2300 continuous centrifuge and also achieve
a lower purity rise - when running comparative tests.
We believe that they compared apples versus oranges. Yes, both centrifuges had the same
basket diameter (1300 mm) and the same screen area. But that`s were the comparison
stopped (see page 2).
page 1
advanced

technologies
- worldwide
Conclusion:
Based, on the above - we must conclude the tests were not carried out with sufficient care.
We, BMA, therefore kindly request that you take the following missing test aspects into
consideration:
We appreciate any comparison of our centrifuges to other brands
and we are confident in proving our claims as long as identical
conditions are applied to each machine tested.
page 2
The BMA centrifuge was equipped with a smaller motor 75 kW vs. 90 kW
For the BMA centrifuge, the applied wash water rate of 0.4 m/h was too high for each
throughput and NOT adjusted per our operating instructions.
The pressure head of the massecuite column during the BMA test series was significantly
lower (resulting in lower capacities)
A higher molasses temperature of up to 19C (66 F ) indicates that too much steam was
applied resulting in a purity increase - again an operational error!
The report did not include any information about sugar quality - which is questionable- as
one can operate the continuous centrifuges at extremely high capacities - but resulting in
very low, unacceptable, purity sugar
For an increase of 20 % in capacity a constant motor current was measured - this again is
doubtful!
A wash water amount of 7,4 % or 5,4 % per ton of massecuite did not lead to an increase
in molasses purity - however the molasses purity did increase at a wash water rate of
only 4,3%!
Several test conditions were not mentioned in the report and we believe that you, the
customer, evaluate the results by your own.