The system and method allow to automatically control the degree Brix of an aqueous solution at a processing plant outlet. The processing plant includes an evaporator for boiling the aqueous solution to increase its degree Brix. The method comprises setting a threshold value of a first parameter of the aqueous solution, monitoring the first parameter of the aqueous solution within an evaporator with a first parameter sensor, and sending monitored first parameter values to a computer or to a valve controller. Then, when a monitored value of the first parameter becomes at least equal to the threshold value of the first parameter of the aqueous solution, controlling the valve controller to allow aqueous solution to flow out of the evaporator towards the processing plant outlet. The method also comprises setting a first threshold value of a second parameter of the aqueous solution at the computer, the second parameter being related to the degree Brix of the solution, monitoring the second parameter of the aqueous solution at the processing plant outlet with a second parameter sensor, and sending monitored second parameter values to the computer and, when a monitored value of the second parameter becomes at least equal to the first threshold value of the second parameter of the aqueous solution, the computer sending a command to at least one of the heater of the evaporator and the valve controller to adjust the level of evaporation of the aqueous solution.

The system and method allow to automatically control the degree Brix of an aqueous solution at a processing plant outlet. The processing plant includes an evaporator for boiling the aqueous solution to increase its degree Brix. The method comprises setting a threshold value of a first parameter of the aqueous solution, monitoring the first parameter of the aqueous solution within an evaporator with a first parameter sensor, and sending monitored first parameter values to a computer or to a valve controller. Then, when a monitored value of the first parameter becomes at least equal to the threshold value of the first parameter of the aqueous solution, controlling the valve controller to allow aqueous solution to flow out of the evaporator towards the processing plant outlet. The method also comprises setting a first threshold value of a second parameter of the aqueous solution at the computer, the second parameter being related to the degree Brix of the solution, monitoring the second parameter of the aqueous solution at the processing plant outlet with a second parameter sensor, and sending monitored second parameter values to the computer and, when a monitored value of the second parameter becomes at least equal to the first threshold value of the second parameter of the aqueous solution, the computer sending a command to at least one of the heater of the evaporator and the valve controller to adjust the level of evaporation of the aqueous solution.

An evaporator system used for the production of maple syrup. The evaporator system comprises at least one receptacle for receiving and processing maple water destined to be transformed, a combustion chamber for burning biomass, and a detector of temperature of the combustion. The evaporator system also comprises an air supply system being operatively mounted with respect to the combustion chamber for feeding the same with air destined to be used in the combustion of the biomass, the air supply system offering at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber selected from the group consisting of a primary air supply, a secondary air supply and an intermediate air supply, the air supply system including at least one corresponding fan for generating said at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber, and said at least one fan being configured for transmitting an air flow being automatically variable according to the operating temperature in the combustion chamber, so as to control the release of energy from the combustion of the biomass in the combustion chamber, thus in order to enable a more constant release of energy in the combustion chamber during the production of maple syrup.

An evaporator system used for the production of maple syrup. The evaporator system comprises at least one receptacle for receiving and processing maple water destined to be transformed, a combustion chamber for burning biomass, and a detector of temperature of the combustion. The evaporator system also comprises an air supply system being operatively mounted with respect to the combustion chamber for feeding the same with air destined to be used in the combustion of the biomass, the air supply system offering at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber selected from the group consisting of a primary air supply, a secondary air supply and an intermediate air supply, the air supply system including at least one corresponding fan for generating said at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber, and said at least one fan being configured for transmitting an air flow being automatically variable according to the operating temperature in the combustion chamber, so as to control the release of energy from the combustion of the biomass in the combustion chamber, thus in order to enable a more constant release of energy in the combustion chamber during the production of maple syrup.

Elements having surfaces that are submerged in sap during evaporation processes for producing syrup and that have anti-niter-buildup textures designed, configured, and provided to inhibit buildup of hard-to-remove niter deposits that tend to form on such surfaces. In some embodiments, anti-niter-buildup texture is provided to reduce the amount of contact between niter particles in the sap and the surfaces, for example, by controlling (e.g., minimizing) the number of contact points and/or minimizing the contact area, between each particle and the surface. Anti-niter-buildup texture may be provided to a surface of an element in any suitable way, such as machining, coating, etching, and peening, among others, and any combination thereof. Syrup-making evaporators and evaporation system incorporating such elements are also disclosed, as are method of making elements for evaporator and method of making evaporators.

Elements having surfaces that are submerged in sap during evaporation processes for producing syrup and that have anti-niter-buildup textures designed, configured, and provided to inhibit buildup of hard-to-remove niter deposits that tend to form on such surfaces. In some embodiments, anti-niter-buildup texture is provided to reduce the amount of contact between niter particles in the sap and the surfaces, for example, by controlling (e.g., minimizing) the number of contact points and/or minimizing the contact area, between each particle and the surface. Anti-niter-buildup texture may be provided to a surface of an element in any suitable way, such as machining, coating, etching, and peening, among others, and any combination thereof. Syrup-making evaporators and evaporation system incorporating such elements are also disclosed, as are method of making elements for evaporator and method of making evaporators.

A stacked continuous vacuum pan (SCVP) system and method may be provided wherein the SCVP includes at least three modules mounted on separate floors in a stacked formation. Each module includes a horizontal shell and a vertical calandria mounted along the horizontal shell. The calandria may be a honeycomb or swarm calandria. The SCVP system may operate as a single unit while allowing an individual module to be taken offline without disrupting use of the SCVP system.

A stacked continuous vacuum pan (SCVP) system and method may be provided wherein the SCVP includes at least three modules mounted on separate floors in a stacked formation. Each module includes a horizontal shell and a vertical calandria mounted along the horizontal shell. The calandria may be a honeycomb or swarm calandria. The SCVP system may operate as a single unit while allowing an individual module to be taken offline without disrupting use of the SCVP system.

An evaporator system used for the production of maple syrup. The evaporator system comprises at least one receptacle for receiving and processing maple water destined to be transformed, a combustion chamber for burning biomass, and a detector of temperature of the combustion. The evaporator system also comprises an air supply system being operatively mounted with respect to the combustion chamber for feeding the same with air destined to be used in the combustion of the biomass, the air supply system offering at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber selected from the group consisting of a primary air supply, a secondary air supply and an intermediate air supply, the air supply system including at least one corresponding fan for generating said at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber, and said at least one fan being configured for transmitting an air flow being automatically variable according to the operating temperature in the combustion chamber, so as to control the release of energy from the combustion of the biomass in the combustion chamber, thus in order to enable a more constant release of energy in the combustion chamber during the production of maple syrup.

An evaporator system used for the production of maple syrup. The evaporator system comprises at least one receptacle for receiving and processing maple water destined to be transformed, a combustion chamber for burning biomass, and a detector of temperature of the combustion. The evaporator system also comprises an air supply system being operatively mounted with respect to the combustion chamber for feeding the same with air destined to be used in the combustion of the biomass, the air supply system offering at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber selected from the group consisting of a primary air supply, a secondary air supply and an intermediate air supply, the air supply system including at least one corresponding fan for generating said at least one type of air supply to the combustion chamber, and said at least one fan being configured for transmitting an air flow being automatically variable according to the operating temperature in the combustion chamber, so as to control the release of energy from the combustion of the biomass in the combustion chamber, thus in order to enable a more constant release of energy in the combustion chamber during the production of maple syrup.