MVR Falling Film Evaporator in Sugar Industry — Multiple Effect
Hybrid MVR falling film evaporator integrated with a multiple-effect (MEE) train for raw, refined, and back-end molasses clarification lines. The system concentrates juice/syrup at low temperature under vacuum, recycling latent heat via mechanical vapor recompression for low OPEX, improved color control, and stable throughput during long campaigns.
Key Benefits
- Energy economy: MVR duty plus staged effects cuts steam consumption and boiler load.
- Product quality: Low ΔT falling film preserves sucrose, reduces inversion and color formation.
- High capacity: Even film distribution and optimized residence time deliver steady °Brix rise.
- Cleanability: CIP-ready geometry with scale control for long, predictable campaigns.
- Flexible retrofit: Add MVR to existing effects or deploy as a greenfield hybrid line.
Process & Thermal Economy
Juice/syrup enters preheaters, then flows as a thin film down vertical tubes at vacuum. Vapor from later effects is mechanically recompressed and reused as the primary heating medium. Balanced ΔT/LMTD and circulation maintain high coefficients with minimized sucrose degradation.
Materials & Hygiene
Wetted parts in SS316L (duplex/Ti on request). Food-grade finishes, drainable layouts, and validated CIP support HACCP/ISO programs in sugar processing.
Process Overview — Sugar Juice/Syrup Concentration
- Feed prep: clarification/filtration, pH trim, antiscalant (Ca/Mg/Si control) as required.
- Multiple effects (vacuum): staged shell pressures reduce boiling point progressively.
- MVR module: compressor raises vapor temperature; provides primary duty to lead effect(s).
- Condensate management: polishing for reuse; conductivity/TOC guard optional.
- To pan/crystallization: target °Brix delivered with stable color and viscosity.
Key Components
- Falling-film calandrias per effect with distributors and vapor–liquid separators
- MVR compressor (turbo/Roots) with VFD for ΔT/capacity control
- Preheaters, surface condenser, vacuum/NCG handling skid
- PLC/HMI/SCADA; instruments (T/P/flow/cond/level/°Brix)
- CIP skid; antiscalant dosing and fouling monitors
Performance & Sizing
| Parameter | Typical Range* |
| Effects | 3–6 (plus MVR hybrid module) |
| Steam economy (SE) | ~3–7 (higher with MVR integration) |
| Operating mode | Vacuum, continuous |
| Product outlet | Target °Brix to pan (feed-dependent) |
| Materials | SS316L standard; duplex/Ti optional |
*Performance depends on juice quality, color/ash, compression ratio, and fouling tendency.
FAQ
Can MVR be retrofitted to our existing effects?
Yes. A lead-effect MVR module or hybrid tie-in can reduce steam demand without replacing the whole train.
How is sucrose inversion minimized?
Operate at low ΔT and vacuum, limit residence time, and maintain pH control; CIP restores peak heat transfer.
What about scale on tubes?
Softening/antiscalant, optimized velocity/ΔT, and scheduled CIP windows maintain coefficients across the campaign.
Application
