SUGAR MILL BOILER CYCLE CHEMISTRY: AN UPDATE ON BEST PRACTICES

SUGAR mill boilers are unique compared to many other industrial boilers because of the type of fuel used, availability of condensate as feedwater, and relatively high steaming rates at comparatively low heat fluxes. These circumstances have allowed practices not conducive to optimum boiler operation, efficiency or asset protection to be used across the industry. With cogeneration of electricity, and other value-adding bagasse-based processes becoming critical to sugar industry sustainability, the value of bagasse is increasing, and so more emphasis on boiler efficiency is required to reduce bagasse consumption. This paper provides an update on sugar mill boiler water chemistry, best practice treatment options, and requirements for cogeneration.