Abstract: An air and massecuite warming device comprising a pair of nested, concentric frusto-conical tubular members positioned above a massecuite separating centrifuge in which steam is directed into the chamber formed between the nested members. The steam is discharged from the inner member by a plurality of nozzles located in the conical wall of the inner member forming a vortex. Before contacting the massecuite, the steam mixes with the air drawn through the centrifuge, raising the air temperature. This warm air reduces the massecuite viscosity by increasing the temperature of the massecuite and the temperature of the centrifuge elements contacting the massecuite thereby increasing the centrifuge separation capacity and improving the purity of the sugar produced.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for extracting sugar from sugar cane in which a blanket of fiberized cane is passed through a series of compression and maceration operations. The compression is performed at low pressures (for example, 40 to 160 pounds per square inch) between a pair of rollers. During compression, the extracted juice is removed through the perforate surface of the lower roller. The extracted juice removed during compression is supplied as imbibition liquid to a prior operation.