Systems, apparatuses, and methods for producing and using a sugar cane syrup, juice, or powder. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a system and associated processes for processing sugar cane using a cold processing pipeline in a manner that retains its natural nutritional value while producing a syrup, juice, or powder without significant separation of the natural nutrients or use of harmful chemicals.

Operation of a cane preparation unit is disclosed which can include providing a working range for at least one operating variable for a plurality of carriers of a cane preparation unit, estimating energy consumed corresponding to a first plurality of set points for the at least one operating variable, selecting one or more first set points corresponding to reducing (e.g., minimizing) energy consumed for the at least one operating variable as use set points, and operating the cane preparation unit at the use set points.

A technology for material separation is provided. The technology enables an output of a first material from a rotary lifter. The technology enables a direction of a fluid stream onto the first material in flight based on the output of the first material such that the first material is separated into at least a second material and a third material. The technology enables a conveyance of the second material away from the rotary lifter. The technology enables a removal of the third material via a vacuum port.

A technology for material separation is provided. The technology enables an output of a first material from a rotary lifter. The technology enables a direction of a fluid stream onto the first material in flight based on the output of the first material such that the first material is separated into at least a second material and a third material. The technology enables a conveyance of the second material away from the rotary lifter. The technology enables a removal of the third material via a vacuum port.

A technology for material separation is provided. The technology enables an output of a first material from a rotary lifter. The technology enables a direction of a fluid stream onto the first material in flight based on the output of the first material such that the first material is separated into at least a second material and a third material. The technology enables a conveyance of the second material away from the rotary lifter. The technology enables a removal of the third material via a vacuum port.

A technology for material separation is provided. The technology enables an output of a first material from a rotary lifter. The technology enables a direction of a fluid stream onto the first material in flight based on the output of the first material such that the first material is separated into at least a second material and a third material. The technology enables a conveyance of the second material away from the rotary lifter. The technology enables a removal of the third material via a vacuum port.

Methods are described for producing sugar from sugar-containing plant material with microbiological control, which includes treating a sugar-containing plant raw material and/or a component derived therefrom, and/or a medium containing the plant raw material and/or the component, with monochloramine. Monochloramine usage in the method can reduce loss of sugar from bacterial consumptions in the processing of sugar-containing plant materials, such as sugar beets, without causing adverse effects on the sugar product, such as the brightness of white sugar.

A method for the disintegration and fluid drying of sugar beet material which prevents the material's degradation reaction from taking place and which includes the steps of disintegrating the sugar beet material to particles with a particle surface area of at least 2.0 cm.sup.2, and subsequent immediate exposure of the disintegrated material to a drying gas(es) at a temperature of 25 C. to 160 C. and a flow rate of 5 m.Math.s.sup.31 1 to 40 m.Math.s.sup.1, where the relative humidity of the drying gas(es) at the inlet to the drying space is at most 85%; and subsequent mixing of the disintegrated material with a flow of drying gas(es) until attaining a value of dry matter of at least 70% by weight.