An experimental study on solar evaporation of sugarcane juice
Rahul Grewal, Mahesh Kumar
Abstract
Abstract In this study, an attempt is made to obtain concentrated sugarcane juice and distilled water using solar radiations that would save energy as well as environment. In this study work, the experimental performance of a sugarcane juice solar evaporation system (SJSES) is investigated for the evaporation of water from sugarcane juice. To check the influence of flow rate on the performance of SJSES units, experiments are carried out at 20, 25, 30, and 35 ml/min. The flow of sugarcane juice at 25 ml/min in SJSES unit is found optimum that resulted in highest energy saving, distilled water, and relatively more brix content of final product. The performance of SJSES unit loaded with paraffin wax at optimum flow rate (unit IV) resulted in maximum distilled water (605.1 g) which is 82.4%, 14.8%, and 39.4% higher than other units. Paraffin wax loading in SJSES increased its distillate output, brix of juice, and working time by 78.3 g, 7.9%, and 1 h, respectively. Thermal and exergy efficiencies are found maximum for unit IV having values 58.56% and 4.53%, respectively. The amount of energy saved is observed maximum for this unit along with least distillate cost and payback period.