Chemical Process - Engineering

Q1:

A cane sugar factory having sugar production rate of 10 tons/day will produce about __________ tons/day of bagasse (after consumption by the factory for heating etc.).

A 1

B 10

C 25

D 40

ANS:B - 10

A cane sugar factory having a sugar production rate of 10 tons/day will produce about 40 tons/day of bagasse (after consumption by the factory for heating, etc.). A cane sugar factory producing 10 tons/day of sugar will generate about 40 tons/day of bagasse for several reasons:

1. Byproduct of Sugar Production:

  • Bagasse Composition: Bagasse is the fibrous residue remaining after the extraction of juice from sugarcane. For every ton of sugar produced, a significant amount of bagasse is generated.

2. Yield Ratio:

  • Extraction Ratio: The typical yield from sugarcane processing is around 10-12% sugar, meaning that a substantial portion of the cane's biomass (approximately 40-50% of the total weight) is left as bagasse after juice extraction.

3. Energy Source:

  • Utilization: Bagasse is often used as a biomass fuel for heating and energy generation within the factory, making it a crucial part of the sugar manufacturing process.

4. Efficiency of Processing:

  • Efficient Extraction: The sugar extraction process is designed to maximize the sugar yield while leaving behind a large volume of bagasse, which can then be utilized for energy or sold as a byproduct.

Summary:

In summary, a cane sugar factory producing 10 tons/day of sugar typically results in about 40 tons/day of bagasse due to the high biomass content of sugarcane and the efficiency of the sugar extraction process, highlighting the important role of bagasse in the overall operation and energy management of the factory.