In a maceration conveyor assembly (10) a juice deflector (50) deflects juice around a return run of a conveyor into a trough (51). Preferably the juice deflector and trough are configured as opposed axially extending V-shaped stainless steel plates. The assembly (10) feeds into a first mill (11) of a milling tandem, and output from the mill (11) is delivered onto another conveyor and carried to the next mill in the tandem. Low pol maceration liquid is returned to the conveyor via return lines to respective distribution weirs (16) and (17). The conveyor assembly (10) includes an inlet end (20) and an outlet end (21) all supported on a supporting framework (22) so that the assembly is inclined from the inlet end (20) to the outlet end (22). An endless plate conveyor (25) comprises interconnected perforated plates (26) adapted to pivot relative to each other in chain like fashion.

A maceration conveyor assembly feeding into a first mill of a milling tandem, where output from the mill is delivered onto another conveyor and carried to the next mill in the tandem. Low pol maceration liquid is returned to the conveyor via return lines to respective distribution weirs. Weirs include overflows which extend across the conveyor. The conveyor assembly includes an inlet end and an outlet end all supported on a supporting framework so that the assembly is inclined from the inlet end to the outlet end. The frame supports respective side walls of a conveyor trough between which travels an endless plate conveyor. The endless plate conveyor comprises interconnected perforated plates adapted to pivot relative to each other in chain like fashion so that the endless plate conveyor effectively functions as a belt conveyor having rigid plates interconnected in pivotal fashion.

A cane shredder input is optimized for any given load condition comprising a feeder upstream of the shredder to controllably deliver cane downstream from the feeder in order to reduce shredder drive load fluctuations. A “kicker” (26) with curved end knives gives full coverage across the width of the cane carrier, and is driven clockwise at about 175 rpm. A magnetic shredder and milling tandem protector pulls metal out of the cane above a backward inclined chute (27). The chute has a viewing window (28) and a cane height sensor (29). The backward directed chute aids in cane striking its front wall (30) and the working face of the chute height control device. A tooth feeder shredder rotor (31) is located in a shredder housing (32). The shredder housing (32) is a convolute in configuration. Sitting directly atop the shredder housing (32) is a tooth feeder (33), in this case having tooth feeder wheels (34) and (35). The feeder operates as a speed baffle to the shredder so that cane is delivered at an optimal rate. The throughput through the factory is based on the speed of the feeder.

A cane shredder input is optimized for any given load condition comprising a feeder upstream of the shredder to controllably deliver cane downstream from the feeder in order to reduce shredder drive load fluctuations. A “kicker” (26) with curved end knives gives full coverage across the width of the cane carrier, and is driven clockwise at about 175 rpm. A magnetic shredder and milling tandem protector pulls metal out of the cane above a backward inclined chute (27). The chute has a viewing window (28) and a cane height sensor (29). The backward directed chute aids in cane striking its front wall (30) and the working face of the chute height control device. A tooth feeder shredder rotor (31) is located in a shredder housing (32). The shredder housing (32) is a convolute in configuration. Sitting directly atop the shredder housing (32) is a tooth feeder (33), in this case having tooth feeder wheels (34) and (35). The feeder operates as a speed baffle to the shredder so that cane is delivered at an optimal rate. The throughput through the factory is based on the speed of the feeder.

A system for infield collection of substantially whole cane and delivering that cane to a mill via a trash separator and a washer. A harvester collects whole cane and throws billeted cane along with trash into an infield transporter which then transports this to a centralised trash separator. The trash separator may service any number of infield transporters and may be located at a mill or a centralised location so that output from the trash separator may pass on to a conveyor. Billets are then fed to a washer. The washing liquid from downstream process may be used in the washer. Mud and dirt is removed from the billets in return liquid which then passes to a mud removal unit. This juice is returned to the downstream process. Wash liquid may also be collected via an outlet conveyor. A modular harvester, a trash separator and a washer are also described.

In a maceration conveyor assembly (10) a juice deflector (50) deflects juice around a return run of a conveyor into a trough (51). Preferably the juice deflector and trough are configured as opposed axially extending V-shaped stainless steel plates. The assembly (10) feeds into a first mill (11) of a milling tandem, and output from the mill (11) is delivered onto another conveyor and carried to the next mill in the tandem. Low pol maceration liquid is returned to the conveyor via return lines to respective distribution weirs (16) and (17). The conveyor assembly (10) includes an inlet end (20) and an outlet end (21) all supported on a supporting framework (22) so that the assembly is inclined from the inlet end (20) to the outlet end (22). An endless plate conveyor (25) comprises interconnected perforated plates (26) adapted to pivot relative to each other in chain like fashion.

A method comprising: (a) providing a partially processed sucrose crop product containing at least 2% optionally at least 5% of the sucrose content of said crop at harvest on a dry solids basis, cellulose and lignin; (b) hydrolyzing said partially processed crop product with HCl to produce an acid hydrolyzate stream and a lignin stream; and (c) de-acidifying said hydrolyzate stream to produce a de-acidified sugar solution and an HCl recovery stream. Additional, methods, systems and sugar mixtures are also disclosed.

A method comprising: (a) providing a partially processed sucrose crop product containing at least 2% optionally at least 5% of the sucrose content of said crop at harvest on a dry solids basis, cellulose and lignin; (b) hydrolyzing said partially processed crop product with HCl to produce an acid hydrolyzate stream and a lignin stream; and (c) de-acidifying said hydrolyzate stream to produce a de-acidified sugar solution and an HCl recovery stream. Additional, methods, systems and sugar mixtures are also disclosed.

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.