Mechanical vapour recompression - future tool for steam economy

摘要

The Indian Sugar Industry is all set to convert itself as a "Bio Energy Industry" producing Compressed Bio Gas, Bio-electricity and Bio-ethanol. Harnessing the potential of entire sugarcane value chain has become all the most important for improving viability and sustainability of the sugar industry. This paper discusses better energy management practices for adoption to increase the utilization of low pressure vapours from pans and evaporator vapours by using mechanical vapour recompressing system. There is growing concept of establishing back end refineries and such energy efficient practices may reduce the overall steam consumption to the extent of about 13 on cane in backend sugar refineries enabling them to save the precious bio-mass for utilization elsewhere. Such energy management may also help the sugar factories looking for enhancing the crushing capacity for partial diversion of syrup.