Abstract: A fiber bundle liquid-liquid contactor may comprise: a vessel comprising: a first inlet; a second inlet; a mixing zone arranged in the vessel to receive a first liquid from the first inlet and a second liquid from the second inlet, wherein the mixing zone comprises an inductor fluidically coupled to the inlet for the second liquid; and an extraction zone comprising a fiber bundle arranged in the vessel to receive the first liquid and the second liquid from the mixing zone.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated process and system for water treatment, in particular, an integrated process and system for water treatment in the beverage manufacture cycle. The water treatment process is directed to treating an influent water solution, a low sugar concentration solution, and a high sugar concentration solution. The water treatment system is directed to a system for treating an influent water solution, a system for treating a low sugar concentration solution, and system for treating a high sugar concentration solution.

Abstract: A separation process is described for separation of a nutrient from divalent ions of an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is contacted with an ion exchange resin that includes monovalent ions until the concentration of divalent ions in the aqueous solution has been depleted and an eluate is collected. The eluate is then subjected to a process, preferably a nanofiltration membrane process, capable of separating monovalent ions to obtain a permeate fraction including monovalent ions and a retentate fraction including the nutrient. The retentate fraction is then separated into fractions with at least one fraction including a major portion of the nutrient. The ion exchange resin is then regenerated by contacting it with a solution including the permeate fraction until a major portion of the divalent ions have been replaced by monovalent ions.

Abstract: A method for producing a work product including the steps of receiving a first fluid composed of a liquid, a target substance and at least one residual substance; passing the first fluid through a first work station for separating the residual substance from the first fluid to produce a secondary fluid substantially composed of the liquid and the target substance; and treating the secondary fluid to reduce the proportion of the liquid relative to the target substance in the secondary fluid to form the work product.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from beets includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained from macerated sugar beets, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: A nanofiltration process for obtaining sucrose uses a feed syrup, such as molasses, that comprises sucrose and no less than about 2% by weight invert sugars (on a dry solids basis). The nanofiltration produces a permeate and retentate. The nanofiltration permeate will comprise invert sugars that have passed from the feed through the nanofiltration membrane, and preferably will also comprise ash from the feed. The nanofiltration retentate has a higher concentration of sucrose and a lower concentration of invert sugars than the feed syrup. Sucrose can then be crystallized from the nanofiltration retentate. The reduction of the invert content in the syrup facilitates crystallization and thus enhances sucrose recovery.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from cane includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained from macerated sugar cane, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from beets includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained by diffusion from sliced sugar beets, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing sugar from beets, comprising the steps of: (a) macerating beets or pieces thereof; (b) mechanically separating juice from the macerated beets; and (c) membrane filtering the separated juice, producing a retentate and a permeate. The mechanical extraction of juice can be done on a moving porous vacuum filtration belt with countercurrent flow of macerated beets and water. The pH of the vacuum extracted juice can be adjusted to at least about 7 by addition of sodium hydroxide. This process does not use conventional beet diffusion. No lime and no carbon dioxide are required to be contacted with the juice or the permeate in this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing sugar from cane that includes the steps of: (a) grinding sugar cane or pieces thereof into pulp; (b) mechanically separating juice from the pulp; and (c) membrane filtering the separated juice, for example through a ultrafiltration membrane, producing a retentate and a permeate. Preferably in step (a), the cane is cut into pieces having an average fiber length of less than 10 millimeters, more preferably into pieces having an average fiber length of less than 5 mm with a fiber diameter of about 200 microns or less. The mechanical separation of juice from cane pieces can be done suitably by filtration or centrifugation. It is preferred to adjust the pH of the separated juice to at least about 7 prior to membrane filtration, more preferably to at least about 7.5, for example by adding lime or sodium hydroxide. The permeate can be evaporated and crystallized by conventional means to produce white sugar.

Abstract: Plasticized liquid membranes and processes for separating monosaccharides from disaccharides and from other monosaccharides employing the membranes are provided. Fructose is separated from glucose via the membrane process to provide fructose in concentrations sufficient for HFS (high fructose syrup) and sucrose, glucose and fructose are separated from crude sources such as molasses, sugar cane juice and beet sugar juice. The plasticized membranes are prepared by dissolving a lipophilic polymer such as cellulose triacetate, an organic liquid plasticizer such as a hydrophobic ether compound e.g. 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether and, a carrier compound such as a quaternary ammonium salt or a boronic acid compound with lipophilic substitution in a suitable solvent which upon evaporation provides the plasticized membrane. The membrane produced is homogeneous having all three components equally dispersed in the membrane.

Abstract: A method of preparing a compound semiconductor crystal in a crucible involves first forming a boron or boron compound containing layer on an inner surface of the crucible and heat treating the same to form a B.sub.2 O.sub.3 containing layer. The resulting pretreated crucible is the employed for preparing the compound semiconductor crystal. By pretreating the crucible in this manner, it is possible to previously form a homogenous B.sub.2 O.sub.3 film on the crucible interior surface while preventing incomplete and heterogeneous coating of the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 film. Consequently, it is possible to prevent a raw material melt from wetting the crucible interior surface and thus to suppress polycrystallization, thereby preparing a compound semiconductor single crystal with an excellent yield.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for separating acid from an acid-sugar hydrolyzate in an electrodialysis apparatus comprising the steps of continuously passing the hydrolyzate through a diluate compartment of the electrodialysis apparatus, continuously passing a carrier fluid through a concentrate compartment of the electrodialysis apparatus, and maintaining a current between the anode-cathode pair of the electrodialysis apparatus that forces the anions and cations of the acid to migrate from the diluate compartment into a concentrate compartment.

Abstract: For the manufacture of lactulose, an alkaline aqueous solution of lactose and borax is prepared and heated at a temperature above 80.degree. C. The lactulose is separated from the resulting conversion products. Apart from the borax, no alkalizing material is added to the solution. The conversion is carried out at pH 8.3.In order to maintain the sodium ions in the production cycle, the borax may be manufactured in an aqueous solution of boric acid and already simultaneously with the lactose, while the sodium ions are transferred from the solution of the conversion products in the solution of the boric acid by electrodialysis.Alternatively the sodium ions may also be removed from the solution of the conversion products as readily as possible by means of a weakly acid ion exchanger and only thereafter by means of a more strongly acid ion exchanger.The weakly acid ion exchanger is regenerated with boric acid so that borax is formed again.

Abstract: A process for recovering unreacted sucrose from a reaction mixture of sucrose and a fatty acid alkyl ester in an organic solvent as reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst in the production of a sucrose fatty acid ester which comprises adjusting the reaction mixture from which a part of the organic solvent as reaction medium may be previously removed and to which water is added, to a neutral pH region, adding a neutral salt and sucrose to the reaction mixture to precipitate the sucrose fatty acid ester, filtering off the precipitate, and bringing the filtrate into contact with a reverse osmosis membrane to recover the unreacted sucrose. According to the invention, unreacted sucrose can be easily recovered, while the sucrose fatty acid ester not contaminated with the organic solvent as reaction medium can be obtained from the reaction mixture without using an organic solvent for purification.

Abstract: A device for holding dialysis bags includes a hollow funnel-like member for holding dialysis bags of various sizes. A hanger arrangement extends from the funnel-like member, whereby said member carrying a dialysis bag may be suspended within a vessel or the like without additional support. A cap is secured to the funnel-like member to seal said member.

Abstract: A novel method for purifying a sugar phosphate or its salt, in which a sugar-containing mixture of a sugar phosphate or its salt and phosphoric acid or its salt is subjected to electrodialysis to remove the phosphoric acid or its salt from the mixture.According to this method, the phosphoric acid or its salt can be readily obtained in a reusable form. The method is thus quite advantageous in view of the economy.

Abstract: Pentoses and hexoses are epimerized by heating sugar dissolved in a solvent in the presence of a molybdenum(VI) compound, by an improved process in which, for the preparation of a sugar having cis OH groups in the 2- or 3-position, of the formula Ia or Ib ##STR1## where R is one of the radicals ##STR2## a homogeneous solution of the corresponding sugar of the formula IIa or IIb ##STR3## is heated to 75.degree.-100.degree. C. in the presence of from 30 to 200 mol %, based on sugar used, of a metal salt of the formula (III)MeX.sub.2 (III)where Me is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Zn and X is Cl or Br, which may or may not contain water of crystallization, and in the presence of from 2 to 20 mol %, based on the sugar used, of a molybdenum(VI) compound.The process is particularly important for the preparation of D-ribose, which is required as an intermediate for vitamin B.sub.2.

Abstract: A scrubbing process for high feed concentrations of different materials in liquid streams.

Abstract: The modification of a diffusion barrier by the deposition of one or more inorganic species within the pores and on to the surfaces of said diffusion barrier to form an immobilized crystalline lattice barrier or molecular grid having substantially uniform permeability and to select and separate different ionic species, giving a high efficiency of separation with a low energy input. The diffusion barrier is characterized by one or more units, each incorporating a tubular housing with a bundle of porous hollow fibres therein, arranged in the axial direction of the housing. The inorganic crystalline lattice is exemplified by barium sulphate (BaSO.sub.4) formed by the interdiffusion of barium hydroxide (Ba(OH).sub.2) and sulphuric acid (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) solutions, or, alternatively, co-precipitated aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH).sub.2) and barium sulphate (BaSO.sub.4) formed by the interdiffusion of barium hydroxide (Ba(OH).sub.2) and aluminum sulphate (Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3) solutions.

Abstract: The sugar content of citrus press liquor is enhanced by separating citrus solids, extracting fructose, glucose, and sucrose from the solids, and recombining the aqueous extract to increase the sugar content thereof. By inversion of the sucrose present in the sugar-enhanced press liquor, a high fructose syrup can be readily obtained which is indistinguishable from high fructose corn syrup. When separation is effected by centrifugation, a biocidally active colloidal phase is formed from which citrus terpenes and limonene can be extracted, resulting in a press liquor suitable for fermentation. The solid residue remaining after extraction can also be recycled with the remaining press cake.

Abstract: Inorganic oxy-acid and organic acid impurities are removed from raw cane sugar or molasses solutions by the steps of (1) admixing with the raw cane sugar syrup or molasses solution a water-soluble chloride of an alkaline earth metal ion which reacts with inorganic oxy-acid anions and radicals and with organic acids to form a water-insoluble precipitate of said oxy-acid anions and radicals and organic acids, (2) separating said precipitate from said solution while maintaining the Brix degree of the solution between more than 60% and less than 80%, (3) diluting the precipitate-free solution to a Brix of less than 55%, and (4) subjecting said diluted solution to an electrodialysis using cation exchange film and neutral film arranged in an alternating manner.

Abstract: High fructose syrups are obtained from Jerusalem artichoke tubers and other naturally-occurring inulin-containing materials by extraction of the inulin and any related fructans from the tubers with water, elimination of some low molecular weight nitrogenous species and minerals from the aqueous extract by ultrafiltration, enzymatic hydrolysis of the inulin to fructose and glucose, separation of the reducing sugars from higher molecular species by ultrafiltration, and evaporative concentration of the purified reducing sugars solution to a syrup. The processing also removes colorants initially present in the aqueous extract. The dissolved solids in the syrup comprise at least 90 wt % reducing sugars and these sugars are constituted at least 60 wt %, often at least 75 wt %, by fructose with the balance glucose.

Abstract: Process for purifying beet juice by contacting the juice to be purified with at least two ion exchangers formed of a porous mineral support covered with a film of cross-linked polymer containing or bearing quaternary ammonium salt groups for at least one of the ion exchangers and sulfone groups for at least one of the other ion exchangers.

Abstract: A process of producing a nutritive sugar as being non-centrifugal sugar from cane juice by treating said cane juice by ultrafiltration means, then concentrating by evaporation the permeate obtained thereby and furthermore the concentrate obtained at the same time in the said filtration step is further used for the conventional production of cane sugar.

Abstract: Process for fractionating carbohydrate-containing materials, such as molasses, by contact with an ion exclusion resin wherein a first portion of the material and a second, less dense portion of the material are sequentially fed to the resin. This scheme of adding the carbohydrate-containing material to the column of ion exclusion resin lessens the channeling problem. Also, a process for treating molasses comprising adding ferric ions to the molasses to form a precipitate and passing the so-treated molasses through an ion exclusion resin.

Abstract: Method of treating fresh sugar juice at about room temperature which includes removing non-sugar impurities, concentrating the resulting cold, water white juice by reverse osmosis to form a syrup which is evaporated to form direct white sugar and edible molasses. Also a method of treating sugar cane juice with oxalic acid.

Abstract: Dextrose and dextrins are obtained from protein-containing starch products by subjecting the starch product to an incomplete or complete acid or enzymatic hydrolysis or a combination of both types of hydrolysis and then circulating the hydrolysate containing a low viscosity sugar solution and water-soluble high molecular proteins through an ultrafilter to separate the proteins from the sugar solution whereupon the dextrose or, in case of incomplete hydrolysis, the dextrins are recovered from the filtrate obtained in the ultrafilter.

Abstract: Method of treating cut sugar cane, which comprises depositing the cane on a conveyor, spraying steam on the cane to melt and remove wax and field dirt on the surface of the cane, and removing the melted wax and condensed steam below said conveyor. Sugar cane juice, produced by subjecting the steamed cane to roller action, is treated with active carbon to yield a clarified juice. The clarified juice is evaporated to form direct white sugar and edible molasses. The wax is collected, purified and molded into cakes. Adding an alkaline material to the expressed juice precipitates out soaps.