A chain driven diffuser for use in a sugar extraction process, the diffuser including a diffuser floor, a plurality of chain ladder assemblies being displaceable relative to the diffuser floor, with each chain Id-der assembly comprising two opposing chains being driven by drive sprockets characterized in that at least some of the drive sprockets of the diffuser are driven independently from some of the other drive sprockets of the diffusor.

Method to extract sugar from a sugar beet, the sugar beet is cut in a cutting device in strips/cossettes with a length and a cross-section, the length of the strips/cossettes is, at least essentially, uniform.

An arrangement for melting and cleaning a substance, such as natural sugar. The arrangement comprises a mesh belt for transporting the substance through a heating station for heating the substance so that a dissolved phase of the substance is separated from impurities in the substance through the mesh of the mesh belt substantially simultaneously.

An arrangement for melting and cleaning a substance, such as natural sugar. The arrangement comprises a mesh belt for transporting the substance through a heating station for heating the substance so that a dissolved phase of the substance is separated from impurities in the substance through the mesh of the mesh belt substantially simultaneously.