Approach to better beet washing

Sugar beets from clay-type soils are sometimes difficult to clean. This can result in high residual amounts of soil after beet washing, leading to increased knife consumption, extra wear to installations, filtration issues and undesired levels of HCl-insoluble ash in pulp. During the last decades, the capacity and the relative amount of clay-type soil delivered to the Dinteloord factory increased. Therefore a more effective beet washing plant is required. This paper describes the Suiker Unie approach to better beet washing. From 2009–2012, pilot- and factory-scale trials on beet washing were carried out in order to gain extra knowledge on the fundamental aspects of beet washing. Parallel to the trials, two relevant suppliers in the field of beet washing were asked to carry out a design study to examine the possibilities for improvement. Suiker Unie needs a sufficient ‘mechanical’ washing followed by an effective high-pressure jet-washing. A ‘mechanical’ washing time of 6 min. is favored, divided over a pre- and main-washing step. Currently Suiker Unie is completing pilot scale jet-washing trials and is considering two concepts for improved beet washing.