Removal of melassigenic ions for beet sugar syrups by electrodialysis using a new anion-exchange membrane Original Research Article

Problems hindering the application of electrodialysis in the sugar industry were the short anion-exchange membrane life, the high viscosity and the low operating temperature that had to be maintained below 40°C. To avoid these problems an electrodialysis operation using an improved stack with new anion-exchange membranes was conducted on Moroccan beet sugar syrup to remove melassigenic ions especially Na+, K+ and Ca2+. The demineralisation was operated at a relatively high Brix up to 55Bx and high temperature up to 60°C. The alkali resistance and the behaviour of the AXE 01 membrane in the sugar syrup were controlled. The electrodialysis is a promising process to reduce the melassigenic ions for the sugar industry.