In sugar distilleries, humidity control for sugar storage is essential to maintain product quality. Refined sugar is fed via belt conveyers to sugar bins or hoppers. At this stage, the sugar is at about 48°C with a moisture content of approximately 0.035% of its weight. This sugar, however, has to be cooled to about 38°C to 40°C before it can be packed. If cooled by the conventional method, the cooling process takes about 12-36 hours during which condensation takes place on the bin ceiling. This results in lumping of the top layer and deterioration in quality. Implementing effective humidity control measures ensures the cooling process is more efficient, preventing condensation and preserving the sugar’s integrity.
Causes of Uncontrolled Humidity
- Presence of water body (as water required for production)
- Sucrose extraction process releasing a large amount of vapour in the environment
- Presence of small electricity generation units within the factory premises
General Recommendation
Relative Humidity in Sugar Storage Areas should be maintained at 20% RH at 24°C (75°F).
Bry-Air Solution
Bry-Air Desiccant Dehumidifiers have been able to solve many ‘moisture’ problems during storage and packaging of sugar. Bry-Air Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, through a process of continuous physical adsorption, thus preventing condensation.
Bry-Air Desiccant Dehumidifiers can effectively maintain the most stringent humidity conditions required for sugar storage and packaging since they are capable of maintaining RH as low as 1% or even lower at a constant level, regardless of ambient conditions.
Also, the dry air from the dehumidifier is pre-cooled before being blown into the storage bin, which cuts down the cooling time.
Bry-Air has a large range of standard as well as engineered dehumidifiers which are designed to ensure dry packaging of sugar whether in sachets or in cubes.
