Starch sweeteners and sugar substitutes

Concentration control for supersaturation, total concentration of fructose and glucose during separation, sweetening on-off control, Brix

Starch sweeteners and sugar substitutes include glucose (dextrose), fructose glucose syrup, corn syrup, and sorbitol. These products are used for sweetening, conservation, texture, or color in many edible and drinkable products, and across a variety of industries from food & beverage to pharmaceuticals.

Liquid and crystal sweeteners manufacturing

Starch sweeteners are manufactured by acid hydrolysis reactions forming crystals or syrups. Hydrolysis degree is measured with Dextrose Equivalent (DE).  

Calorie-free sugar substitutes, such as allulose or stevia, are manufactured from plants to form crystals or syrups.   

Vaisala Polaris process refractometer is perfectly suitable for sweeteners manufacturing. Accurate and reliable inline measurement of total dissolved solids (TDS) aids in optimizing downstream processes and complying with tight final product specifications.

Process refractometer introduces a process control element to the plant and optimization supports the overall plant efficiency and economic performance. For example, the evaporation is an important processing step in sweeteners manufacturing as it removes excess water from syrups and raise the concentration to a predetermined  level. At the same time, evaporation is a major heat and energy consumer, and refractometers can help to bring down evaporation costs by feed-forward control and by keeping the syrup concentration at a constant level.

The fully digital Vaisala Polaris process refractometer can further industrial automation and smart factory concept with its accurate and reliable real-time data, that is fully integrable to control system.

 

Accurate and continuous Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measurements

Refractometer installation

Vaisala Polaris process refractometers provide:

  • Product quality control and improved yield
  • Efficiency in evaporation process
  • Rinse-water and product interface detection during sweetening-off
  • Real-time crystallization control and monitoring tool of supersaturation
  • Process control of chromatographic separation     
  • Process control throughout sweeteners manufacturing

All our refractometer models are easy to install directly in process lines and tanks, and with flow adapters to vessels. The measurement is not affected by crystals, particles or bubbles.

Applications in starch sweeteners

Measure dissolved solids and Brix accurately and inline in sweeteners manufacturing processes, including ion-exchange column regeneration, evaporation, crystallization, chromatographic separation and carbon column reactivation for best yield and product quality with savings on energy and production costs.

Download our application notes for more information.

Starch sweeteners process

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measurements throughout starch processing

Ion-exchange column regeneration

In sweetening-off, monitor interface between the product and the rinse water prior regeneration process

Starch evaporation

Evaporation control, syrup concentration measurements

Starch crystallization

Real-time control of crystallization pan, constant supersaturation level for high product quality and improved yield

Chromatographic separation

Accurate and reliable control of the chromatographic separation, fractionation of high-purity glucose and fructose

Carbon column reactivation

Real-time signal for sweetening off operation during carbon column reactivation

Related products

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Liquid concentration measurement

Vaisala offers a wide range of products tailored to liquid measuring needs of different industries. Learn more about the refractometer technology and its applications, and visit the library of product related assets.