Mud Removal or Glucose Syrup Clarification for Food & Ingredient

Mud removal or glucose syrup clarification is an important step in the production of sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup and dextrose. Removal of oils, proteins and fibers is important to ensure efficiency in downstream process steps. Given the high suspended solids load and continuous processing requirement, typical clarification technologies include centrifugation and filter aid based technologies like rotary vacuum drum filters and chamber presses. Pall’s crossflow filtration systems utilizing Membralox® ceramic filters are a modern upgrade to these existing technologies.  

Mud removal or glucose syrup clarification is an important step in the production of sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup and dextrose. Removal of oils, proteins and fibers is important to ensure efficiency in downstream process steps. Given the high suspended solids load and continuous processing requirement, typical clarification technologies include centrifugation and filter aid based technologies like rotary vacuum drum filters and chamber presses. Pall’s crossflow filtration systems utilizing Membralox ceramic filters are a modern upgrade to these existing technologies. 

In sweetener production, after liquefaction and saccharification, glucose syrup clarification or mud removal is typically the primary filtration step to remove suspended solids. Removing trace oils, proteins and fibers at this stage helps to improve efficiency of downstream resin or ion exchange treatment, evaporators and polishers.

Mud removal is carried out by a variety of methods ranging from centrifugation to filtration. Today’s manufacturers are looking for the most cost-effective clarification solutions that will provide the highest product quality and maximum yield, while ensuring process safety and minimizing waste volumes.

To address these requirements, Pall offers ceramic crossflow filtration systems incorporating Membralox ceramic modules. These systems offer unique benefits including defined performance, reduced contamination risk due to enclosed systems, high yields, and waste minimization. Operational cost savings can be realized on downstream resin beds or ion exchange units due to consistent filtrate quality and trap filters are not necessary as there is no bleeding or shedding of filter aid.  Finally, the recovered crossflow retentate can be used for animal feed or potential conversion to alcohol.