Sugar production is a process where heat, viscosity, and crystallization control are critical, from the beet's entry into the factory to the final white sugar. High-viscosity fluids such as molasses, syrup, and magma can cause overheating, clogging, and product spoilage if the wrong pump is selected.
Sugar factories typically operate 24/7 for four months during the season, so the durability of the pumps directly determines the continuity of production.
Flow and Viscosity Control in Sugar Production Processes
Sugar beets are first washed, cut, and then the sugar water is extracted in diffusion tanks.
This sugar water is treated with lime and CO₂ , filtered, and converted into concentrated syrup in an evaporator.
The magma (massecuite) formed after boiling is centrifuged:
- Solid sugar crystals
- Liquid molasses separates.
The products pumped in this process are:
Product | BRIX / Viscosity | Difficulty for the Pump |
sugar syrup | 250–1350 cSt | The flow must be stable, and overheating must be prevented. |
Molasses | 500–20,000 cSt | Abrasive → bearings must be protected |
Magma / Crystalline flow | Contains crystals | Gear tolerance is of vital importance. |
Viscosity increases, especially at high BRIX values ; as viscosity increases , friction in the pump generates heat , and this heat triggers sugar crystallization and damages the bearings .
Therefore, low speed + high torque is the most critical advantage of Rotan pumps.
Alpullu Sugar Factory Reference
Alpullu Sugar Factory , one of Turkey's first sugar factories, prefers Rotan Internal Gear Pumps for its high-volume molasses and syrup transfer lines.
Rotary pumps used:
- It provides mechanical strength with its cast steel body.
- Special mattress material offers long-lasting resistance to the corrosiveness of molasses.
- Special manufacturing tolerances between the gears prevent crystal breakage and excessive friction.
- The specially designed seal, resistant to crystallization , guarantees a leak-proof finish.
Conclusion: In Alpullu, Rotan pumps have been operating continuously and without problems in production for many years .
Why Rotary Internal Gear Pumps?
Advantage | Contribution to Sugar Application |
Low speed, high torque. | Sugar burning and caramelization are prevented. |
Wear-resistant bearings | Long lifespan in molasses and magma environments. |
Stable, vibration-free flow. | The crystal structure is preserved, and product quality is improved. |
Leakproof packing design | Loss = revenue loss → Zero leakage approach |
Wide viscosity range | 250 cSt → 20,000 cSt in the same pump series |
