Cooling crystallisers (OVC)
Cooling crystallisers
…are used in beet and cane sugar factories, and also in sugar refineries throughout the world for efficient sugar crystallisation from low-purity crystal suspensions.
Benefits and features:
- Defined retention times for high yields
- Oscillating cooling surfaces for excellent self-cleaning effects
- Easy operation also with highly viscous massecuites
- Vertical design requires only little floor space; outdoor installation possible (no building costs)
- High specific cooling surface at low specific drive power
Video film
Cooling: ten out of ten.
The new generation of cooling systems.
Cooling crystallisers are used in beet and cane sugar factories and sugar refineries worldwide for the crystallisation of sugar from low-purity crystal suspensions (massecuite); they are economical and produce excellent results.
Cooling crystallisers from BMA (OVC) are vertical units consisting of a cylindrical product chamber.
Product chamber
The cylindrical product chamber forms the main body of the cooling crystalliser, providing a compact space where the massecuite is cooled and crystallisation takes place efficiently.
Cooling pipes
Cooling pipes are located exclusively inside the product chamber. Their vertically oscillating cooling packs ensure efficient heat transfer, promoting uniform cooling and crystal growth.
Product distributor
The product distributor feeds the massecuite evenly into the crystalliser, ensuring a consistent product flow and optimum distribution throughout the cooling chamber.
Hydraulic cylinders
Hydraulic cylinders drive the vertically oscillating cooling packs, maintaining continuous movement for efficient cooling and reliable crystallisation performance.
Product discharge
The crystallised product is discharged from the lower end of the OVC. The outlet can be adapted to suit the specific piping infrastructure of the sugar factory for easy integration.
Technology
In developing its cooling crystallisers for low-raw massecuites, BMA has given careful thought to the theoretical principles underlying the process. The result: crystallisers that allow trouble-free cooling of highly viscous massecuites (inlet viscosity 150-200 Pas) to a final temperature of 40 °C even at a non-sugar/water ratio of 4 (outlet viscosity 1000-2000 Pas!). BMA cooling crystallisers are employed with great success in both the beet and the cane sugar industries. Today, they only come as vertical units.
Design features
- Modularity of OVC cooling blocks and body
- Standard lifting system and standard product distributor
- Compact design
- Easy to integrate with piping systems thanks to standard flanges
How it works
Optimum sugar crystal growth.
With its OVC, BMA delivers a continuous cooling crystallisation solution for maximum desugarisation without the formation of fine crystals.
The cooling crystalliser uses the force of gravity, with the massecuite flow from top to bottom. BMA offers highest precision when the massecuite enters the cooler.
Optimised process technology for greater effectiveness:
- Larger specific cooling surface
- Oscillating cooling surfaces for excellent self-cleaning effect
- Defined cooling for maximum yields
- Permanently very good heat transfer between the massecuite and the coolant
Concept:
BMA’s cooling crystalliser concept is based on a vertical unit with oscillating cooling tube bundles. The aim is to remove as much sucrose as possible from the mother liquor by continuing the crystallisation of crystals that have already formed. Since this is the last desugarization phase in the sugar production process, any process control errors would have an irreversible effect on the amount of sugar lost to the molasses. This is why optimized cooling crystallisation is so important.
Benefits
Efficient
Consistent quality
Availability
Automation
“We’re committed to green initiatives” – BMA is pooling its efforts toward decarbonization.
Environmental and climate responsibility has been a central part of our corporate philosophy for many years. Under the “We care green” label, BMA brings together all activities and initiatives that contribute to decarbonization.
Plants and automation technology from a single supplier
Even the best design solution requires a matching control system and process automation technology to reach its full potential. Together with Automation from BMA, we have the necessary combination of mechanical engineering, process technology, and measurement, control and automation technology.
We offer a range of automation modules
- “Essential” for basic machine safety
- “Extended” with added process technology aspects
- “Advanced” includes additional modules to provide a comprehensive solution for the entire process step.
BMA service: from the first consultation to the finishing touches
Whether you require assistance with plant design, traditional mechanical engineering, automation technology or post-installation services – with BMA, your project could not be in better hands. Right from the start. Together with you, we develop the perfect solution for your requirements, assisting you from the first concept until the final bolt is in place and your plant is running at full speed. And throughout the life cycle of your plant.
Sizes
Next-generation efficient cooling. Everything you need for consistent crystal growth with maximum yield.
| Cooling packs | Cylinder height (m) | Pipe throughput (t/h) | Beet throughput (t/h) | Volume (m³) | Refrigerated area (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 11.4 | 7 | 6 | 132 | 232 |
| 6 | 13.8 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 180 | 348 |
| 8 | 16.2 | 14 | 11 | 228 | 464 |
| 10 | 18.6 | 17.5 | 13.5 | 276 | 580 |
| 12 | 21.0 | 21.0 | 16.5 | 324 | 696 |
| 14 | 23.4 | 24.5 | 19.5 | 372 | 812 |
| 16 | 25.8 | 28 | 22.5 | 420 | 928 |
| 18 | 28.2 | 31.5 | 25.5 | 468 | 1044 |
| 20 | 30.6 | 35 | 28.5 | 516 | 1160 |
| 22 | 33.0 | 38.5 | 31.5 | 564 | 1276 |
| 24 | 35.4 | 42.0 | 34.5 | 612 | 1392 |
Downloads
Please refer to the product brochure for more detailed information. We would also be happy to advise you in a personal consultation.
