Practical experience of juice decalcification using a weak acid cation exchange resin plant incorporating fractal fluid distribution

Close attention to operating procedures and the use of antiscalent agents can reduce the tendency for scale to deposit on heat exchange surfaces up to a point, but further protection is achieved by reducing the soluble calcium (lime salts) in juice to a very low level using ion exchange resins. Following successful trials using a pilot size weak acid cation exchange resin plant incorporating a fractal distribution system during 2006/07 campaign it was decided to install a full size plant at British Sugar's Bury St Edmunds factory in the summer of 2007. Equipment cost, size of installation, ease of operation and options for the use of spent regenerant were all important factors considered when deciding to opt for this type of system rather than other systems traditionally used in the sugar industry. This paper describes the initial plant design and commissioning together with the operational experiences (throughput, reliability and performance) since the start of 2007/08 campaign.