How to process sugar beets

Abstract

A method for processing sugar beets is provided. The invention relates to a method for extracting sugar from sugar beets, in which the sugar beets are cut into strips / cossets in a cutting device, each strip / cosset having a structure with a length and a cross section.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for extracting sugar from sugar beet, whereby the sugar beet is cut into strips / cossets in a cutting device. Each strip / cosset has a structure with a length and a cross section.

[0002] Extraction of sugar from sugar beets is a time and energy consuming process. There is therefore a constant need to improve this process in terms of time and / or energy consumption and / or in terms of the achievable quality of the sugar obtained. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for extracting sugar from sugar beet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved with a method for extracting sugar from sugar beet, wherein the sugar beet is cut into strips / cossets in a cutting device. Each strip / cosset has a structure with a length and a cross-section, and the length of the strips / cossets is at least essentially uniform.

[0005] Any embodiment of the present invention may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into other embodiments of the present invention and vice versa.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides for the extraction of sugar from sugar beets. For the extraction, the sugar beet is harvested and / or cut into strips / cossets and subsequently mixed with water. The mixture is heated and the sugar is extracted from the strips / cossets into the water to form a sugar / water solution. The process takes place in a tank, diffuser, etc., in which the strips / cossets are suspended in a heated water-sugar solution. Then, after a predetermined residence time, the strips / cossets are separated from the sugar / water solution. The extraction is carried out as a continuous process, ie, the strips / cossets and water are added continuously and the water / sugar solution and extracted strips / cossets are subsequently removed. Since the strips / cossets and the sugar / water solution will float, the strips / cossets and the water solution must be separated from each other, for example using a filter, a centrifuge, or the like. The sugar / water solution is then further concentrated by evaporation of the water until the sugar crystallizes. The extracted strips / cossets can be utilized, for example, as an energy source or animal feed. And filtering the strips / cossets from the sugar / water solution is also a continuous process.

[0007] The extractor can operate as a mixer or as a counter-current or co-current device. In a countercurrent device, the strips / cossets and sugar / water solution are conveyed through a vessel as a countercurrent. In co-current operation, the strips / cossets and the sugar / water solution are conveyed through the vessel in the same direction.

[0008] According to the invention, the strips / cossets have at least essentially perfectly uniform length. The length of a strip according to the invention is its longest extension.

[0009] It has been found that a uniform length of the strips / cossets particularly enhances the step of separating the strips / cossets from the sugar / water solution, since the tendency of the separating means to clog is reduced.

[0010] The length of the strip / cosset is significantly longer than the cross-sectional dimension. The shape of the strips / cossets is elongated, for example an elongated cylinder or cuboid, preferably a cuboid with one dimension significantly longer than the other two.

[0011] The average length of the strip / cosset is then 50 to 350 mm, preferably 80 to 200 mm, particularly preferably 100 to 150 mm.

[0012] The average cross-sectional area of ​​the strip / cosset is 30 mm 2 Less than 30 mm, preferably 2 is less than. The cross section is the area perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the strip. More preferably, the average cross-sectional area is less than 1 mm 2 More preferably, 3 mm 2 Exceeds.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the standard deviation of the length of the strips / cossets is less than 50 mm, preferably less than 30 mm, even more preferably less than 10 mm.

[0014] And more than 90% of the strips / cossets have a length greater than 50 mm, preferably greater than 80 mm, more preferably greater than 100 mm.

[0015] The strips / cossets can cut the sugar beet essentially parallel or inclined, preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal extension of the sugar beet. Furthermore, the cutting direction depends on the elasticity of the sugar beet.

[0016] The object of the present invention is also solved by a method for extracting sugar from sugar beet, in which the sugar beet is cut into strips / cossets in a cutting device, the sugar beet being fed in a preselected orientation in the cutting device.

[0017] Any embodiment of the present invention may apply to any other embodiment and vice versa. Embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into other embodiments of the present invention and vice versa.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, the sugar beets are all fed into the cutting / harvesting device in the same orientation. This orientation is then maintained during the cutting / pruning steps. Each sugar beet may be fed into the cutting device such that the cutting or chopping direction is parallel to the longitudinal extension of the sugar beet, i.e. the axial extension of the cutting strips / cossets is parallel to the axial extension of the sugar beet and / or the cutting direction is parallel to the longitudinal extension of the sugar beet.

[0019] Then, in a first cutting step, the longitudinal extension of each sugar beet is cut into segments, preferably into segments of equal length, more preferably such that each segment has a strip / cosset of a desired length.

[0020] The segment is then divided into multiple strips / cosets, for example by chopping or punching.

[0021] As already mentioned before, the strips / cossets are harvested and / or cut from the sugar beet. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other means or methods of removing strips / cossets from sugar beet are also encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0022] And sugar beets are grown by artificial cultivation. Artificial cultivation according to the invention makes it possible to grow sugar beet under set conditions with regard to the supply of light, nutrients and / or water. The sugar beets are not grown in the ground but in an artificial wood substrate, preferably cottonwood. An example of artificial cultivation is vertical farming, but the invention is not limited to this example. Artificial cultivation can, for example, influence the shape of the sugar beet and / or its sugar content and / or sweetness.

[0023] Artificial cultivation means that the sugar beet roots are placed not in the ground but in a water solution that also contains nutrients for the plant. The energy required for plant growth can be provided artificially, for example via LEDs and / or via sunlight. A combination of both is preferred. During growth, the plants are regularly inspected automatically, for example by a robot, and if specific treatments for individual plants are required, for example treatments with specific nutrients, this is also carried out by the robot.

[0024] The sugar beets are grown in an apparatus for the cultivation of beet plants, specifically sugar beets, which comprises a forming structure with a cavity for containing the growing beets, the forming structure being designed such that the contour of the beets is at least in part influenced by the walls of the cavity during growth.

[0025] According to the invention, by growing the beets inside the cavity of a forming structure, the external shape of the grown beets can be determined at least in part. If the shape of the growing beets is biased towards a particular desired shape, such that the shape of the harvested beets follows the specifics of the pre-defined shape, then subsequent processing of the beets can be done in a more efficient manner that increases yields and reduces energy consumption. The invention is not limited to vertical farming technology, which means that the cultivation device according to the invention can also be used to improve conventional farm cultivation of beet plants, but the main advantages are conferred through the cultivation device in combination with vertical farming. Therefore, the efficiency of further processing can be increased to such an extent that the overall energy balance of vertical farming together with further processing is better than the energy balance of conventional farm cultivation, thereby solving the above-mentioned general problems and drawbacks of farm cultivation. For example, if the harvested sugar beets have a shape that meets predefined shape specifications and are therefore more similar in shape and size to one another, further processing steps such as transporting the beets, slicing the beets into strips / cossets, and spreading and / or extracting the strips / cossets in water can be carried out much more easily and efficiently.

[0026] According to the invention, the cavity is preferably partially or completely filled with liquid, gaseous and / or vapor water and / or nutrient solution for the soil-free cultivation, in particular aeroponic or hydroponic cultivation, of beet plants. And fully grown beets should not be washed prior to further processing. Alternatively, the cavity is filled with soil for in-ground cultivation.

[0027] In the sense of the present invention, the expression "forming" preferably means that the beets contact at least one wall of the forming structure during growth, so that the contour of the growing beets is deflected by this wall of the forming structure since the wall is not recessed. That means that the forming structure is designed in such a way that the size of the cavity is smaller in at least one dimension of the forming structure, e.g. height or diameter, than a typical beet plant that is grown outside the cavity until harvest. Furthermore, the forming structure preferably comprises a rigid or semi-rigid base element that is mechanically capable of withstanding the typical growth vigour of growing beets. Also, because the cavity is designed to contain only one single beat, the contour of each single beat can be individually formed to the desired shape.

[0028] In particular, the present invention includes an apparatus, a plant and a method for the artificial cultivation of beet plants, which means that at least an artificial light source is used for growing them. Preferably, soil-free aerial or hydroponic artificial cultivation of beet plants is contemplated. However, underground cultivation can also be envisaged as an alternative.

[0029] According to the invention, the forming structure includes a base element that provides a cavity. The base element then includes an inner contour of a cylinder, a cone, a rectangular prism, or a cube, the inner contour being a rectangular prism or a cube with rounded edges. Advantageously, a cavity with a rectangular or cuboidal internal contour allows for the growth of beets which in particular include an outer contour of at least partially corresponding rectangular or cuboidal shape with rounded edges. The beets so formed can be transported more easily and efficiently than naturally formed beets as they are not prone to rolling off and can be loaded or packaged at a much higher packing density.

[0030] Alternatively, rectangular or cube shaped beets will produce more equal strips / cossets when sliced ​​or cut, and in particular will not end up with too short strips / cossets which would prevent certain further processing. Slicing naturally grown sugar beets into strips (cossets) generally produces well shaped strips / cossets as well as a significant number of strips / cossets. Such short strips / cossets have a negative effect on the countercurrent exchange inside the extractor (also called diffuser) as they tend to clog the sieves in the extraction / diffusion system. If this occurs, the countercurrent exchange must be stopped and the sieve must be cleared of the short strips / cossets. Naturally grown sugar beet may also reduce the capacity of the slices and cossets, for example due to a higher packing density of the strips / cossets resulting in shorter cossets, which may reduce the diffusion and / or extraction effectiveness.

[0031] In contrast thereto, the rectangular or cubic shaped sugar beet resulting from growing in the cultivation device according to the invention can be sliced ​​or cut into strips / cossets with a reduced number of so-called short strips / cossets, so that clogging of the extractor and the other described disadvantages are at least reduced if not avoided, and at the same time the amount of beet wasted during slicing is substantially reduced. The same applies to beets grown in a cavity with a cylindrical inner contour, insofar as the beets are sliced, for example, top to bottom, or vice versa. Alternatively, the beets are sliced ​​crosswise. The beat can also be assumed to be ticking. Advantageously, the more rounded the edges of the cavity, the more easily the beets are removed from the cavity for harvesting.

[0032] Shaping the sugar beet increases the efficiency of the cutting process.

[0033] Artificial growing of sugar beets allows the sugar beets to be further placed in a preferred orientation after harvesting, and this preferred orientation is maintained until the sugar beets are cut.

[0034] The sugar beet obtained by this artificial cultivation has a rectangular parallelepiped, cylindrical or disk shape. Also, at least one dimension of the artificially grown sugar beet is preferably at least essentially equal to the desired length of the strips / cossets. Artificially grown sugar beet can be cut into a number of strips / cossets, for example chopped or punched.

[0035] If the sugar beet is grown artificially, the step of washing the sugar beet is not carried out. Sugar beets from artificial growing are not soiled, thereby improving energy transfer to the sugar beets and / or cutting rather than bruising the sugar beets. Additionally or alternatively, the knives used to cut the sugar beets do not wear out.

[0036] The strips / cossets, whether traditionally grown or artificially grown, are mixed with water and / or a sugar / water solution. This process step is carried out in a separate tank. The strips / cossets are preheated during this step.

[0037] Sugar is then extracted from the strips / cossets which are then separated from the water / sugar solution. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 shows strips / cossets of sugar beet according to the invention. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a strip / cosset of the present invention. [Diagram 3] Show how to cut the strips / cossets. [Figure 4] Show how to cut the strips / cossets. [Diagram 5] The feeding of the sugar beet into a cutting device 9 is shown. [Figure 6] The feeding of the sugar beet into a cutting device 9 is shown. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic diagram of the extraction of sugar from sugar beets. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is limited not thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes.

[0040] When an indefinite or definite article is used e.g. "a", "an", "the" when referring to a singular noun, this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

[0041] Moreover, the terms first, second, third, etc. in this specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in other sequences than those set forth herein.

[0042] In FIG. 1, traditionally grown sugar beet 2 is depicted diagrammatically. The sugar beet 2 has an axial extension, which is its longest extension and / or at least its basic axis of symmetry. The sugar beet 2 according to the invention can also be grown artificially. In this case, the shape of the sugar beet 2 is influenced, if not determined, for example by specific seeds and / or by forming structures designed to at least partially influence the outer shape of the sugar beet 2 . The forming structure is, for example, a cavity, the walls of which direct the growth of the sugar beet 2 in a certain direction.

[0043] The forming structure may then include a base element providing the cavity, the base element including the inner contour of a cylinder, a cone, a rectangular prism, a cube, or a cube. Specifically, the inner contour is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped or cube with rounded edges.

[0044] To extract sugar from the sugar beet 2, the sugar beet 2 is cut into strips / cossets, which are depicted in FIG. Each strip / cosset has a length L and a cross section CR. According to the invention, the length of the strips / cossets is at least essentially uniform. The cross-section of the strips / cossets may be of any shape or size, although a small cross-section is desirable to increase the area of ​​the strips / cossets.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a possible method for processing sugar beet 2. In this case, the sugar beet 2 is first cut into axial segments 4 , the resulting axial segments 4 being perpendicular to the axial extension of the sugar beet 2 . The cuts 5 can be made simultaneously or sequentially. The resulting sugar beet segments 4 are equal in their length 6 . And the length 6 of the segment is equal to the desired length of the strip / cosset.

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates how the segments 4 are cut into strips / cossets. In this case, the cutting device comprises a grid of knives 20, which are simultaneously pushed through the cross sections 7 of the segments 4 of the sugar beet 2, so that strips / cossets with the cross section CR are formed. The length of segment 4 is equal to the length of segment 6 of sugar beet 2.

[0047] Alternatively, it is also possible to cut strips / cossets 1 from the periphery of the sugar beet 2 or from segments 4 of the sugar beet 2 .

[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. Contrary to what is described in the art, the sugar beets 2 are not fed to the cutting device randomly but in an organized manner, here in length order. This preselected orientation can be achieved, for example, with a V-shaped conveyor belt 21, as depicted in FIG.

[0049] Feeding the sugar beets 2 in a preselected orientation has the advantage that all the sugar beets 2 can be cut in the same way, which makes the length L of the resulting strips / cossets more uniform.

[0050] In FIG. 7 the sugar extraction process is depicted diagrammatically. The sugar beets 2 are fed into a cutting device 9 in a preselected orientation, in which orientation each sugar beet 2 is cut into strips / cossets. As indicated by arrow 17 , the strips / cossets are provided to a mixer 10 in which they are mixed with water or, here, a sugar / water solution 18 by an extractor 14 . In the mixer 10 the strips / cossets are preheated. The sugar beet 2 strips / water mixture is then fed into an extractor 14 as indicated by arrow 13 . In the extractor 14, sugar is extracted from the sugar beets 2 in the presence of water under the effect of an elevated temperature. The extractor 14 operates continuously, i.e., the strips / cossets 17 and water 11 are continuously pumped into the extraction / diffusion system 14 and the extracted strips / cossets 17 and sugar / water solution 18 are continuously removed. The sugar / water solution is then further washed, concentrated and processed in unit 19 until white sugar crystals are obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Strip 2. Sugar beet 3. Axial extension of sugar beet 4 Axial segments 5. Disconnect 6. Segment length 7 .... Cross section of sugar beet along cut 5 8. Sugar beet feeding and transport direction 9...Cutting device 10 Mixer, preheater 11...Water supply 12 Recycle flow 13. Mix sugar / beet strips / cosset and water 14 Extractor / Diffusion 16 Extracted / ejected sugar beet strips / cossets 17 ···Sugar beet strips / cossets 18...sugar / aqueous solution 20 Knife, knife grid 21...Conveyor belt CR: Strip cross section L: Length of strip

Claims

1. 1. A method for extracting sugar from sugar beets, comprising the steps of: The sugar beet is cut in a cutting device into strips / cosets (1) with a length (L) and a cross section (CR), The length (L) of the strips / cossets is at least essentially uniform; A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the standard deviation of the length (L) of said strips / cossets is less than 50 mm.

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the average length of the strips / cossets is between 50 and 350 mm, preferably between 80 and 200 mm, particularly preferably between 100 and 150 mm.

3. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the standard deviation of the length (L) of the strips / cossets is less than 30 mm, preferably less than 10 mm.

4. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that more than 90% of the strips / cossets (1) have a length (L) of more than 50 mm, preferably more preferably more than 80 mm, more preferably more than 100 mm.

5. The average area of ​​the cross section (CR) of the strip / cosset is 30 mm ２ Less than 30 mm, preferably ２ The method of claim 1, wherein the .alpha.-methylphenyl.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sugar beet is fed into the cutting device in a preselected orientation.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the strips / cossets are harvested from the sugar beet.

8. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sugar beet is grown by artificial cultivation.

9. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the strips / cossets are mixed with water.

10. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of washing the sugar beet is omitted.

11. 10. The method of claim 9, characterized in that the sugar is extracted from the strips / cossets.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the strips / cossets are separated from the water / sugar solution.

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