Drying and Cooling in Sugar Refining: Final Steps for Quality and Stability
Drying and cooling are the final critical steps in sugar refining, ensuring that the product is stable, free-flowing, and ready for packaging. These operations remove residual moisture, prevent microbial growth, and stabilize sugar temperature to avoid condensation and clumping. 1. Purpose of Drying and Cooling The primary goals of drying and cooling are: Reduce moisture content to below 0.05% to prevent microbial activity Improve flowability and prevent caking during storage Stabilize sugar temperature to avoid condensation in packaging Ensure consistent product quality and shelf life Support hygienic packaging and long-term stability 2. Drying Technologies in Sugar Refining Several drying systems are used depending on plant scale and product requirements: Rotary Drum Dryers : Large rotating cylinders that use hot air to evaporate moisture. Suitable for high-capacity operations. Fluidized Bed Dryers : Sugar is suspended in a stream of hot air, allowing uniform drying and efficient hea...