Abstract: A chain driven diffuser for use in a sugar extraction process, the diffuser including a diffuser floor, a plurality of chain ladder assemblies being displaceable relative to the diffuser floor, with each chain Id-der assembly comprising two opposing chains being driven by drive sprockets characterized in that at least some of the drive sprockets of the diffuser are driven independently from some of the other drive sprockets of the diffusor.

Abstract: A rotary distribution apparatus includes a stationary, cylindrical inner core (27), and a rotatable, cylindrical outer shell (25) disposed about the inner core with the inner core (27) and the outer shell defining a plurality of annular fluid distribution chambers therebetween. The apparatus furthermore includes a rotatable indexing disc (23) having a plurality of flow passages provided therethrough, connection ports of which are in flow communication with ports in the outer shell (25), and a stationary indexing disc (22) having a plurality of flow passages provided therethrough, connection ports of which are in flow communication with suitable process vessels. The rotary distribution apparatus includes a driving arrangement that comprises a stationary shaft (28) to which the stationary core (27) is secured and a rotatable sleeve (24) rotatable about the stationary shaft (28), the rotatable sleeve (24) driving the rotatable outer shell (25) and the rotatable indexing disc (23).

Abstract: A rotary distribution apparatus includes a stationary, cylindrical inner core (27), and a rotatable, cylindrical outer shell (25) disposed about the inner core with the inner core (27) and the outer shell defining a plurality of annular fluid distribution chambers therebetween. The apparatus furthermore includes a rotatable indexing disc (23) having a plurality of flow passages provided therethrough, connection ports of which are in flow communication with ports in the outer shell (25), and a stationary indexing disc (22) having a plurality of flow passages provided therethrough, connection ports of which are in flow communication with suitable process vessels. The rotary distribution apparatus includes a driving arrangement that comprises a stationary shaft (28) to which the stationary core (27) is secured and a rotatable sleeve (24) rotatable about the stationary shaft (28), the rotatable sleeve (24) driving the rotatable outer shell (25) and the rotatable indexing disc (23).

Abstract: An indexing arrangement (10) includes a rotor (12) ; a stator (14) spaced from the rotor; a rotary seal (16) located between the rotor and the stator, with the seal being rotatable with the rotor; means for urging the rotary seal into sealing contact with the stator; ports (20, 24, 22) in the rotor, in the stator and in the rotary seal; and connecting means (26) for connecting respective ports (20) in the rotor with respective ports in the rotary seal; so that in use fluid can flow through the ports in the rotor, into the ports in the rotary seal via the connecting means, and out through the ports (24) in the stator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotary distribution apparatus (30) for distributing process liquids, typically in ion exchange and chromatographic separation in the processing of sugar juice. The apparatus includes a core (2) into which fixed process liquid supply pipes (3) extend and annular fluid distribution chambers defined between the core and an outer shell (4) which rotates around the core. Rotating pipes (5) are provided which rotate with the shell and which are connected between selected distribution chambers and selected ports in a rotating indexing disc (6) which rotates, with the shell, relative to a stationary indexing disc (7). The arrangement is such that as the rotating disc rotates, different streams of process liquid streams fed to the rotating disc through the rotating pipes are introduced to fixed ports in the stationary disc. The latter ports are arranged to feed the streams selectively to selected destinations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous vacuum pan (also sometimes referred to as an evaporative crystallizer) for use in the sugar processing industry, and to a heat exchanger used inside the continuous vacuum pan. The invention also relaters to the heat exchanger as used in other applications in the sugar processing industry. The heat exchanger includes a massecuite flow path for conveying massecuite therethrough, and a heat transfer medium flow path for receiving a heat transfer medium to enable heat transfer to the massecuite flow path. The heat exchanger is characterized therein that a periphery thereof is surrounded by an insulated zone in order to prevent heat transfer from the heat transfer medium flow path to the environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous vacuum pan for use in the sugar processing industry, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a vertical, double calandria, continuous vacuum pan. The vacuum pan includes a vessel having a first enclosed chamber and a second enclosed chamber. A first heat exchanger is located in the first chamber, with a first vapour space defined in the first chamber above the first heat exchanger. A second heat exchanger located in the second chamber, with a second vapour space defined in the second chamber above the second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger both have heat transfer medium inlets, and the vacuum pan is characterized therein that the heat transfer medium inlet of the second heat exchanger is in flow communication with the first vapour space, in order for vapour contained in the first vapour space to be conveyed through the second heat exchanger as heat transfer medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous vacuum pan (also sometimes referred to as an evaporative crystallizer) for use in the sugar processing industry, and to a heat exchanger used inside the continuous vacuum pan. The invention also relaters to the heat exchanger as used in other applications in the sugar processing industry. The heat exchanger includes a massecuite flow path for conveying massecuite therethrough, and a heat transfer medium flow path for receiving a heat transfer medium to enable heat transfer to the massecuite flow path. The heat exchanger is characterized therein that a periphery thereof is surrounded by an insulated zone in order to prevent heat transfer from the heat transfer medium flow path to the environment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotary distribution apparatus (30) for distributing process liquids, typically in ion exchange and chromatographic separation in the processing of sugar juice. The apparatus includes a core (2) into which fixed process liquid supply pipes (3) extend and annular fluid distribution chambers defined between the core and an outer shell (4) which rotates around the core. Rotating pipes (5) are provided which rotate with the shell and which are connected between selected distribution chambers and selected ports in a rotating indexing disc (6) which rotates, with the shell, relative to a stationary indexing disc (7). The arrangement is such that as the rotating disc rotates, different streams of process liquid streams fed to the rotating disc through the rotating pipes are introduced to fixed ports in the stationary disc. The latter ports are arranged to feed the streams selectively to selected destinations.