Gaudet, C. & Kochergin, V.

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

______________________________________________________________________________________

DESIGN AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF LOUISIANA

LOW TURBULENCE (LLT) CLARIFIERS
By
C. GAUDET and V. KOCHERGIN
Audubon Sugar Institute, Louisiana State University AgCenter,
St. Gabriel, LA 70776, USA
Vkochergin@agcenter.lsu.edu
KEYWORDS: Clarifier, Low Turbulence,
Fluid Distribution, Turbidity.

Abstract
A NEW LOUISIANA Low Turbulence (LLT) juice clarifier has been developed, successfully tested and installed at several sugar factories in Louisiana. The principal difference
of the new concept is that the flashed juice is introduced into a trayless clarifier through
a network of uniformly distributed pipes. Each pipe has a patent pending turbulence
reduction device (TRD) attached to the juice exit point. As a result, both velocity and
momentum of juice entering the clarifier are reduced by a factor of approximately 50,
compared to parameters in the pipe, and the large-scale turbulent eddies are virtually
eliminated. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling was used to optimise the
design parameters. Initial industrial tests were performed at two different plants where
6.1 m diameter clarifiers were installed. The performance of the LLT clarifiers was very
favourable compared with conventional designs (Dorr, Graver and SRT) throughout the
whole grinding season. A new 7.9 m diameter LLT clarifier has been designed and
operated at Lula factory in 2011 in parallel with two Graver clarifiers at one half of the
residence time. Lower sugar losses were reported as well as an increase of clarified
juice temperature. It has been demonstrated that the LLT clarifier could be operated
successfully even at high mud levels with the residence time not exceeding 30 minutes.
Manufacturing cost was estimated at 3540% of conventional designs. Capital cost
analysis, observations and operating experiences are presented.

Introduction
The importance of the cane juice clarification process has been acknowledged by sugar
technologists for many years. The clarification stage affects both sucrose losses and the quality of
final raw sugar. Poor operation of the clarifier causes multiple operational problems downstream,
such as boiling difficulties, fouling of centrifuge screens with bagacillo, etc. With the increased
demand for high quality raws worldwide, the clarification stage in the raw sugar mills should be
revisited, and the standard clarifier designs have to be reassessed. Most sugar factories have excess
clarification capacity, and it is not uncommon to have 12 hours residence time. For many years
short residence time clarifiers, such as the SRI design have been implemented in the sugar industry
and the residence time of about 3040 minutes has become a reality (Steindl, 2001). The residence
time and the cost of industrial clarifiers can be reduced further, providing multiple benefits for
factory operations.
Poor performance of industrial clarifiers in comparison with simple settling tests is
explained by the difference in the hydrodynamic conditions. To achieve good clarification, the
maximum upward fluid velocity should not exceed the settling velocity of the smallest particles. In
most designs, juice velocities exceeding 10 mm/sec should be avoided to achieve the desired
separation. In an ideal clarifier, the velocity profile should be uniform to ensure that the entire
settling area of the clarifier is utilised.
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Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013
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The maximum theoretical volumetric flow rate of an ideal clarifier is given as Qmax=VPA,
where VP is the settling velocity of the slowest settling targeted particles and A is the settling area.
However, local turbulent eddies lead to the formation of rotations (dead zones) that are typically in
a toroidal shape. When rotations occur, hardly any fluid enters or leaves the rotation, relative to the
amount of fluid inside the dead zone (Reynolds and Richards, 1996).
These dead zones cause the non-rotating fluid to be channeled at velocities higher than the
ideal velocity calculated by V=Q/A, a phenomenon called short circuiting. Therefore, the area of
the rotations reduces the effective settling area of the clarifier, and reduces the clarifier throughput.
Significant factors that cause these short circuits to occur include the location of the inlets in
relation to the outlets, high velocities at the inlets or outlets, convection currents due to temperature
gradients, and density currents associated with high concentrations of settling solids (Bhatia and
Cheremisinoff, 1979). The momentum of the juice entering the clarifier is also critical as it creates
the impulse leading to circular motion.
Design Concepts of LLT clarifier
A new conceptual approach to clarifier design was introduced by Kochergin et al. (2010).
The principal difference between the new Louisiana Low Turbulence (LLT) clarifier and the
alternative conventional designs was that juice momentum at the entry points to the clarifier were
reduced to a minimal level, thus avoiding creation of large scale turbulent eddies.
The latter were shown to reduce efficiency of industrial clarifiers (Chetty and Davis, 2001).
The main design concepts of the LLT clarifier are summarised as follows.
1.
A network of juice feed pipes introduces juice through a series of hydraulically
uniform pathways. The endpoints of such pathways are distributed uniformly over
the cross-sectional area of the clarifier. This feature makes the clarifier easily
scalable to any diameter as the scale up is accomplished through adding extra
distribution points.
2.
Endpoints of the distribution piping are fitted with simple turbulence reduction
devices to cancel the momentum of the liquid jet and, hence, reduce the scale of the
turbulent eddies.
3.
Feed juice is introduced at a level about one third up from the bottom of the clarifier
to allow space for mud settling and thickening. Juice distributors have to be located
above the mud level.
4.
The feed channels are designed to maintain the flow velocity relatively high
(0.5-1 m/s) to eliminate the potential of plugging/scaling.
5.
Juice overflow is collected through a series of uniformly distributed outlets at the top
portion of the clarifier. This feature maintains uniform vertical juice velocity profiles
to make full use of the cross-sectional area of the clarifier.
The design essentially alleviated the horizontal components of liquid flow that were
responsible for the creation of large turbulent eddies. A uniform flow pattern was established, where
the solid-liquid separation was assisted by a difference between particle settling and the upward
juice velocities and not influenced by undesired circulation.
Results of first industrial trials
An LLT clarifier (diameter 6 m) was constructed and operated during a three month
harvesting season in Louisiana. The performance of the clarifier has been compared with a Graver
and a Dorr clarifier that was operated in parallel.
The record high rainfalls resulted in high mud loadings (up to 1215% cake on cane), yet
the new clarifier performed very well. The clarified juice in the LLT clarifier demonstrated a 25%
reduction in turbidity over much of the harvesting season compared with the Dorr and Graver
clarifiers that were operated in parallel.
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The results were even more impressive considering that the residence time for the
experimental clarifier was kept at half that of the Dorr, and similar to the Graver.
Because the clarifier was retrofitted from an old Graver design, the ratio of height to
diameter was larger than required by design. It was observed during the operation that juice
turbidity in the area between the juice inlets and the offtake launders had not changed much.
Because no particle carryover was occurring, further reduction in residence time was possible
without jeopardising juice quality.
The initially designed juice pre-distribution system for the LLT included a separate tank,
which was splitting the flow into equal streams that were overflowing into the pipes connected to
the TRDs. The distribution system was found to entrain some air, which at times carried fine
bagacillo particles into the clarified juice.
The goal of the current paper is to address the topics that were considered important for
optimisation and validation of the new clarifier design, including:
1)
Use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling for further optimisation of
turbulence reduction devices (TRDs).
2)
Prevention of air entrainment in the pre-distribution system.
3)
Reduction of the overall height of the clarifier, thus reducing the volume and
residence time.
4)
Validation of the operation of the improved design in factory trials.
Design modifications
A series of trials have been performed with a section of the original pre-distribution device
using airwater mixtures with a purpose to simulate the air entrainment. It has been proven that the
vortex formation in the pre-distribution system caused air entrainment especially if fluid level in the
pre-distributor was more than 1020 cm higher than in the clarifier.
The pre-distribution system has been modified, where flashed juice enters the clarifier into a
circular feed trough at the top of the clarifier, shown in Figure 1 as component 1. The feed trough
serves as a header to provide uniform distribution to the small feed boxes, equally spaced along the
feed trough.

2
4

Fig. 1General arrangement of the LLT clarifier (1) Feed launder, (2) Turbulence
reduction devices, (3) Offtake launder, (4) Mud scrappers.

The v-notches connect feed boxes with the trough, assisting in equal splitting of the flow. A
feed box and v-notch are shown in Figure 2. Because a very small difference between the levels in
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the feed trough and the overflow boxes is maintained, air entrainment has been successfully
eliminated. Flocculant may be added to the feed box as shown in Figure 2 or added to mixed juice
after the flash tank. After juice overflows into a feed box, it then flows through a pipe that is
connected to a TRD (component 2 in Figure 1) and into the mid-section of the clarifier. The
function of the TRD is to dissipate the momentum of the juice, reducing the velocity of the juice.

1
Fig. 2View of feed and offtake system from above (1) Feed launder, (2) Feed
box, (3) Flocculant addition point, (4) Clarifier settling volume, (5) Offtake launder.

Thus, when juice is introduced into the clarifier, no large scale eddies are formed. The
offtake launders are shown at the top of the clarifier as component 3 in Figure 1 and component 5 in
Figure 2. A number of notches in the clarified juice launders reduce liquid velocity near the outlets
and assist in equalising the flow through each notch.
During the 2009 season, juice samples were taken along the height of the clarifier. The
turbidity measurements were taken at the clear juice outlet, 165 cm below the offtake launder, and
265 cm below the offtake launder. All samples except the clear juice samples were taken from the
wall outlets at different times during stable clarifier operation. Turbidity results in Table 1 indicate
that the juice turbidity had little dependency on the vertical height available above the TRDs. Being
a retrofit, the original test clarifier had a higher height than necessary. For the improved design, it
was decided to reduce the height of the clarifier by 2 m.
Table 1Turbidity measurements at different depths in the clarifier.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

Turbidity (NTU) at
depths below clarifier surface
Clear juice
165 cm
265 cm
55
51
48
46
49
48
47
78
34
40
38
46
30
33
30
61
68
65
88
90
68
32
32
30
44
40
37
24
22
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CFD modelling of the TRD

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models have been developed to simulate the fluid
flows at a TRD outlet into the clarifier using Ansys Fluent, Version 12.0. The objective was to
study the effects of the device geometry on the fluid flow in the immediate vicinity of each TRD
outlet.
The juice enters each TRD through a pipe in the top of the device and exits by use of a
specially designed deflector plate. Baffles on the bottom plate reduce fluid impingement on the
bottom plate and assists in reducing the velocity of the fluid upon exit.
For the modelling purpose, a section of the clarifier encompassing an individual TRD was
assumed to be a tank. The juice was assumed to exit the model by a pressure outlet boundary
condition that consisted of the entire top of the model.
The radius of the tank was made sufficient so that the wall of the tank does not excessively
affect the modelling of the fluid flow pattern near the inlet. Hence, the boundaries of the tank were
set to isolate the TRD outlet flow pattern for optimisation of the TRD geometry. The offtake
launder and location were not included in this model.
To simplify the model, a circular baffle design inside the TRD was assumed, so that the
simulation could be performed as a 2D axisymmetric model rather than 3D. By making this
assumption, the required computational time and resources were reduced.
The axisymmetric model allowed the distribution of the fluid 360 degrees in each horizontal
direction to be incorporated into the model, using the vertical centre line of the TRD/pipe as the line
of symmetry. A realisable k-epsilon model was used to account for the effects of turbulence in the
incoming fluid as it enters the TRD.
The realisable k-epsilon model is the preferred solver to more accurately model the
spreading rate of turbulent axisymmetric jets (Ansys, 2009). According to calculated Reynolds
numbers in the pipe, a transition from turbulent to laminar flow is to be expected. k-epsilon models
do not take into account laminar regimes. The accuracy of the fully-turbulent solver is questioned in
the low velocity flows that were obtained in the main volume of the tank underneath and above the
inlet, and near the walls. The fluid properties used are listed in Table 2.
Table 2Fluid properties used in the model.
3

Total flowrate to clarifier

159 m /h

Individual TRD flowrate

17.67 m /h

Density

1009 kg/m

Viscosity

0.416 mPa.s

Incoming juice velocity in

the pipe connected to TRD

0.62 m/s

Figure 4 shows the predicted contours of velocity magnitude in the model. In the centre of
the diagram is the inlet pipe with the high velocity flow near 70 cm/s as it approaches the TRD. As
the fluid passes through the TRD, the flow is deflected and exits into the clarifier.
Velocity contours calculated for the circular baffle pattern indicated the presence of higher
velocity areas at the exit of TRD. A high pressure stagnant region formed between the baffle plates
near the bottom plate, causing a jet to occur directly above the baffles. The circular arrangement of
the baffle offers no relief to the pressurised area.
In the actual geometry of the TRD, the baffles are arranged in a square pattern that also
works as a vortex breaker. The undesirable flows associated with a circular ring-type baffle were
confirmed using scale model laboratory water tests. However, the jets were not observed in the
water trials of a TRD with the square baffle arrangement.
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Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013
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Fig. 4Velocity magnitude contours model of an axisymmetric TRD.

Modelling results show that the non-axisymmetric geometry of the TRD cannot be reliably
modelled using a 2D axisymmetric approach. A full 3D modelling has to be undertaken. This will
also allow the model to take into account effects of the clear juice outlets. Validation of the CFD
model for the full clarifier with one or several TRDs will be a subject of future modelling tests.
Industrial trials during 2010 crop
During the 2010 crop the design changes to the juice distribution system and height
reduction were installed in a new 6.1 m diameter LLT clarifier. The clarifier was run in parallel to a
12 m diameter trayless short residence time (SRT) clarifier. During normal operating conditions,
flow to the LLT was controlled at a steady flow rate, while the SRT received the balance of the raw
juice. Over the course of the season, the LLT was typically operated with a residence time of
42-46 minutes, while the residence time for the SRT was 6275 minutes. Turbidity samples of the
clear juice were taken hourly by mill personnel and measured using a Hach 2100N Turbidimeter.
The turbidity results are shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6.

Fig. 5Turbidity comparisons of a LLT and SRT for the first half of the season.
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Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013
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Fig. 6Turbidity comparisons of a LLT and SRT for the second half of the season.

A total of 1656 LLT turbidity samples and 1649 SRT turbidity samples were analysed. The
turbidity of the LLT averaged 42 NTU lower than the SRT over the first half of the harvest, during
times of high turbidity. The average turbidity for the season of the LLT was 94 NTU, while the SRT
averaged 118 NTU. On average, SRT results showed 23.4% higher turbidity at 3040% longer
residence time.
In a separate test, the flow rate to the LLT was increased to higher than design conditions.
The residence time of the LLT was reduced to 3334 minutes by increasing the flow rate to
225 m3/h as can be seen in Figure 7.
To achieve the equilibrated conditions, the turbidity measurements were taken after five
residence times. There was no air entrainment or suspended solids carryover in the clear juice.
The turbidity of the LLT was still lower than the SRT. Because clear juice turbidity was not
affected by increased throughput (Figure 8), further flow rate increase was possible. No further tests
were conducted due to factory limitations.

Fig. 7Raw juice flow rates (m /h).

Since no changes were made to the design of the mud removal system, no mud samples
were taken. The factory did not report any difference in consistency or handling characteristics in
the mud coming from either the SRT or LLT clarifiers.
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Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013
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NTU

Industrial trials during 2011 crop

An 8.3 m diameter LLT clarifier was constructed and implemented successfully during the
2011 crop at Lula factory in Louisiana. The factory also operated two 6 m diameter Graver
clarifiers.
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

SRT
LLT

9:25 9:45 10:2011:3012:50 1:20 1:40 2:00 2:05 2:10

Time
Fig. 8Clear juice turbidities (NTU).

The residence time in the Graver clarifiers fluctuated between 60 and 70 minutes. Average
residence time of the LLT was maintained between 35 and 40 minutes that was convenient for
factory operation.
During the last week of the crop, one of the Graver clarifiers was taken offline, which
resulted in the residence time of the LLT decreasing to less than 30 minutes, the lowest in the
Louisiana industry. The following comments describe additional operating experiences during the
crop.

Correct limed juice temperature and flashing was critical for successful operation

No change in mud quality was observed.

Flocculant addition rate was unchanged compared with data from 2010 and 2011
seasons.

When flocculant was added directly to the flashed juice, no settling in the feed
trough was observed.

Because of the lower residence time, a 4C higher clear juice temperature was
observed compared to the Graver clarifiers. This can be explained by decreased heat
loss due to the lower residence time. Although this effect would be expected with
any low residence time clarifier, further reduction in residence time will achieve
additional energy saving.

Operators have noticed that the LLT clarifier recovered faster from unexpected
upsets, which can be explained by the shorter residence time.
Cost comments
Due to simplicity and high throughput of the LLT clarifier, the manufacturing cost is
significantly lower compared to alternative designs.
Lula factory has estimated the cost at about 40% of the alternative designs considering that
Lula clarifier was built from 3CR12 stainless steel. The alternative designs were offered from
carbon steel. The cost structure is reflected in Table 3.
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Engineers of Andhra Sugars compared the manufacturing cost of a 6 m diameter LLT

clarifier that was built at the Taduvai sugar mill in India. Their estimates show a 5356% reduction
in construction costs as compared to similar capacity Graver or SRT designs.
Table 3Cost breakdown of the LLT clarifier.
Foundation work (pilings and concrete)
C3R12 material ( tank, troughs, etc.)
Steel framing and walkways
Valves, Piping, and Automation
Contractors (steel forming & cut-outs)
Mud pumps
Insulation
Labour and equipment

% of total cost
9%
18%
7%
12%
8%
12%
8%
25%

Conclusions
1.
A new LLT clarifier has been designed and implemented based on the new concept
of uniform distribution of inlets for turbulence reduction. The new design 6 m and
8.3 m diameter clarifiers showed excellent performance during commercial trials for
the last two years in Louisiana sugar mills at high mud loads. It has been
demonstrated in commercial operation that the LLT clarifier could be operated
successfully even at high mud levels with the residence time not exceeding
30 minutes.
2.
LLT clarifiers exceeded the performance of Dorr, Graver, or SRT clarifiers while
being operated in the same mill.
3.
Because of simplicity of the design, the manufacturing cost was estimated by several
users at 4047% of conventional designs.
Acknowledgments
American Sugar Cane League is acknowledged for providing partial funding of the project.
Specialists of Sterling Sugars, Lula and Westfield Sugar, and Andhra Sugars are appreciated for
their willingness and interest in the continued industrial trials of the LLT, and also colleagues at
Audubon Sugar Institute.
REFERENCES
Ansys (2009). Ansys Fluent 12.0 Theory Guide. Ansys, Inc. Accessed September 12, 2012,
http://www1.ansys.com/customer/content/documentation/121/fluent/flth.pdf
Bhatia, M.V. and Cheremisinoff, P.N. (1979). Solids Separation and Mixing. Technomonic
Publishing Company. Westport, CT, USA, pp. 303.
Chetty, S. and Davis, S.B. (2001). CFD modelling of a Rapidorr 444 Clarifier: Recent progress.
Proc. S. Afr. Sug. Technol. Assoc., 75: 298301.
Kochergin, V., Gaudet, C. and Robert, M. (2010). A Juice Clarifier With Turbulence Reduction
Devices: Results of First Industrial Trials. Proc. S. Afr. Sug. Technol. Assoc., 83: 315325.
Reynolds, T.D. and Richards, P.A. (1996). Unit Operations and Processes in Environmental
Engineering, Second Edition. PWS Publishing Company, Boston, MA, USA, pp. 798.
Steindl, R. (2001). Development of the new generation SRI clarifier design. Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar
Cane Technol., 24(1) 8085. 1.

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Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013
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DESIGN ET APPLICATIONS INDUSTRIELLES DE CLARIFICATEURS

A FAIBLE TURBULENCE DE LOUISIANE (LLT)
Par
C. GAUDET et V. KOCHERGIN
Audubon Sugar Institute, Louisiana State University AgCenter,
St. Gabriel, LA 70776, USA
Vkochergin@agcenter.lsu.edu
MOTS-CLES: Clarificateur, Faible Turbulence,
Distribution des Fluides, Turbidit.
Abstract
UN NOUVEAU CLARIFICATEUR faible turbulence conu en Louisiane (LLT) a t dvelopp, test
avec succs et install dans plusieurs usines de Louisiane. La principale diffrence de ce nouveau
concept est que le jus flash est introduit dans un clarificateur sans plateau travers un rseau de
tuyau uniformment rpartis. Chaque tuyau dispose dun systme de rduction de turbulence (TRD)
la sortie du jus dont la demande de brevet est en cours. Il en rsulte une rduction de la vitesse et
de la quantit de mouvement dun facteur 50 la sortie du tuyau; les tourbillons grande chelle
sont virtuellement limins. La modlisation de la mcanique des fluides a t ralise pour
optimiser les paramtres du design. Les premiers tests industriels ont t raliss dans deux usines
diffrentes avec des clarificateurs de 6,1m de diamtre. Les performances du clarificateur LLT ont
t trs favorables en comparaison des designs conventionnels (Dorr, Graver et SRT) au cours de
toute la campagne de broyage. Un nouveau clarificateur LLT de 7,9 m de diamtre a t conu et a
t utilis en 2011 lusine de Lula, en parallle de deux clarificateurs Graver, avec un temps de
sjour de 30 min. Une baisse des pertes en sucre et une hausse de la temprature du jus clair ont t
constates. Il a t dmontr que le clarificateur LLT pouvait fonctionner avec succs, mme
niveau de boue lev, avec un temps de sjour nexcdant pas 30 minutes. Le cot de fabrication a
t estim 3540% des clarificateurs design conventionnel. Le cot dquipement, les
observations et les expriences de fonctionnement sont prsents
DISEO Y USO INDUSTRIAL DE UN CLARIFICADOR
DE BAJA TURBULENCIA (LLT) DE LUISIANA
Por
C. GAUDET y V. KOCHERGIN
Audubon Sugar Institute, Louisiana State University AgCenter,
St. Gabriel, LA 70776, USA
Vkochergin@agcenter.lsu.edu
PALABRAS CLAVE: Clarificador, Baja Turbulencia,
Distribucin de Fluidos, Turbiedad.
Resumen
UN NUEVO CLARIFICADOR de baja turbulencia (LLT) fue desarrollado, evaluado exitosamente e
instalado en varios ingenios en Louisiana. La principal caracterstica de este clarificador es que el
jugo despus de salir del tanque flash es introducido a un clarificador sin bandejas a travs de una
red uniformemente distribuida de tubos. Cada tubo tiene un dispositivo (pendiente de patente) para
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Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013
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la reduccin de la turbulencia (TRD) sujeto al punto de salida del jugo. Como resultado, tanto la
velocidad como el momentum del jugo entrando al clarificador se reducen por un factor de
50 comparado con los parmetros en la tubera. Los remolinos turbulentos de gran escala son
virtualmente eliminados. La dinmica computacional de fluidos se us con el fin de optimizar los
parmetros de diseo. Las evaluaciones a nivel industrial se realizaron inicialmente en dos ingenios
en donde clarificadores de 6.1 m de dimetro fueron instalados. El desempeo del clarificador LLT
fue superior al de los diseos convencionales (Dorr, Graver y SRT) durante toda la zafra. Un nuevo
clarificador de 7.9 m de dimetro fue instalado en el ingenio Lula y operado en paralelo con dos
clarificadores Graver durante el 2011 con una reduccin de un 50% en el tiempo de residencia.
Menores prdidas de sacarosa fueron reportadas como tambin un incremento en la temperatura del
jugo clarificado. Se ha comprobado que los clarificadores LLT pueden operar exitosamente an con
altos niveles de lodos y con un tiempo de residencia no mayor de 30 minutos. Los costos de
fabricacin son estimados entre el 35 y 40% del costo de los clarificadores convencionales. En este
artculo se presentan un anlisis de costos de capital as como observaciones y experiencias durante
su operacin.

PROJETO E APLICAES INDUSTRIAIS DE CLARIFICADORES

DE BAIXA TURBULNCIA NA LOUISIANA
Por
Audubon Sugar Institute, Louisiana State University AgCenter,
St. Gabriel, LA 70776, USA
Vkochergin@agcenter.lsu.edu
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Clarificador, Fluido,
Distribuio de Turbidez Baixa Turbulncia.
Resumo
FOI DESENVOLVIDO UM novo clarificante de caldo de baixa turbulncia na Louisiana (LLT), e o
mesmo foi testado e instalado com sucesso em vrias fbricas de acar no estado. A diferena
principal do novo conceito que o caldo introduzido em um clarificante sem bandeja por uma
rede de canos uniformemente distribudos. Cada cano possui um mecanismo de reduo de
turbulncia (TDR), com patente requerida, anexado ao ponto de sada do caldo. O resultado que a
velocidade e o momento em que o caldo entra no clarificante so reduzidos aproximadamente pela
metade, comparado aos parmetros do cano, e os redemoinhos de turbulncia so praticamente
eliminados.A modelagem fluidodinmica computacional (CFD) foi utilizada para otimizar os
parmetros projetados. Os testes industriais iniciais foram realizados em duas fbricas diferentes,
onde foram instalados clarificantes com 6,1 m de dimetro. O desempenho dos clarificantes LLT foi
muito favorvel, em comparao aos projetos tradicionais (Dorr, Graver e SRT) durante toda a
safra.Um novo clarificante LLT com 7,9 m de dimetro foi projetado e operado na fbrica Lula em
2011, paralelamente a dois clarificantes Graver, com metade do tempo de resistncia. Foram
relatadas perdas de acar menores, assim como um aumento da temperatura do caldo clarificado.
Demonstrou-se que o clarificante LLT pode ser operado com sucesso mesmo com altos nveis de
lodo com tempo de resistncia que no ultrapasse 30 minutos. O custo de fabricao foi estimado
em 35 a 40% em relao aos projetos convencionais. Este trabalho apresentada uma anlise de custo
de capital, assim como observaes e experincias operacionais.
11