1. The Role of Activated Carbon in Sugar Production

A. Decolorization

Activated carbon could decolorize caramel and dark impurities during the sugar production. For its porous structure and strong adsorption ability, activated carbon effectively removes these colored substances, resulting in a clear sugar solution.

B. Purification

Activated carbon could also purify organic impurities and residual solvents, for these impurities can lower purity and interfere with further processing.

C. Enhancing Stability

Activated carbon could remove proteins, saponins, and other components, improving clarity and stability while preventing spoilage or settling during storage.

2. Process Flow

Sugar solution → Pre-treatment (filtration, pH adjustment) → Activated carbon adsorption (stirred or fixed-bed) → Filtration to remove activated carbon → Pure sugar solution

3. Applications in Different Sugars

 4. Types and Usage of Activated Carbon

A. Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC): Added directly into the sugar solution, mixed to adsorb impurities, and then filtered out.

B. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Used in fixed-bed adsorption systems and can be regenerated for repeated use.

C. Regeneration: Saturated activated carbon can be partially restored using high-temperature or chemical regeneration methods.

5. History of Activated Carbon Application

A. Early Developments (Late 18th Century – Early 19th Century):

1773: Swedish chemist Scheele discovered charcoal’s ability to adsorb gases, laying the groundwork for its use in liquid decolorization.

1780s: Experiments by Lowitz showed that charcoal could remove color and odors from syrup, initiating research into its use in sugar production.

1794: A British sugar factory first used charcoal to decolorize syrup, although the technique was not widely adopted at the time.

1801: A French sugar factory used charcoal for decolorizing beet sugar solution, advancing beet sugar production technology.

1811: Napoleon promoted beet cultivation and sugar production techniques, accelerating innovations in decolorization.

1815: Granular bone charcoal began to be widely used in the sugar industry, significantly enhancing sugar purity and color.

B. Industrial Development (Early 20th Century):

1911: The industrial production of activated carbon, known as “Eponit,” was introduced and applied in sugar production, marking a major breakthrough in activated carbon technology.

1934: A sugar factory in Shitou, Guangdong Province, China, adopted the bone charcoal method to produce white sugar, aligning China’s decolorization technology with international standards.

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