Characterization of evaporator scale of Indian sugar industry

Fouling in Multiple Effect Evaporator (MEE) systems is the major unresolved problem encountered in most of the chemical process industries. In order to mitigate fouling from MEE system used in the cane sugar industry, it is necessary to understand the type and nature of foulant present in it. In the current paper, the authors have tried to present the detailed analysis of deposits present in each effect of a quadruple effect MEE system used in Indian sugar industry. For this purpose, various instrumental analyses were performed and different organic and inorganic compounds and elements present in the deposits were identified. Further, it has also been observed that some elements show a particular trend of deposition from first effect to last effect. This analysis will help industry to select particular mitigation techniques to clean deposits.