APPLICATION GUIDANCE

Application: Sugar Manufacture

There are two commercial sources of sugar, sugar beet and sugar cane. Sugar beet is grown in more
temperate zones such as Europe whereas cane is grown in tropical or sub-tropical areas such as South
America, Australia, etc. While the initial part of each process is different, once crystallization of the sugar
has taken place, the dust control requirements are similar for beet and cane.

Common Applications
Granulated sugar, sugar coolers, conveyors, elevators, screens, weighing, packing, silos, bins, truck and
railcar loading and unloading

Feed Materials
Raw material: sugar beet and cane
Finished product: granulated sugar, icing sugar and specialty sugar

Dust Characteristics
Sugar dust is combustible and explosive, usually in the ST-2 classification range.
Common granulated sugar produces a fine freely flowing dust. It is highly hygroscopic and readily takes on
atmospheric moisture causing it to become sticky and eventually turn hard.
Icing sugar is finely ground sugar and extremely moisture sensitive.

Application Matrix
Application Loading Collector Air-to-Cloth Filter Comments
3 3
gr/ft ft /min Media
Granulated Wet scrubbers only due to
sugar / cooler high humidity, fabric
(dryer) collectors not suited to
these conditions.

®
Conveyors, <2 DFO 3.2:1 Ultra-Web A controlled environment is
elevators, <2 DFT 1.9:1 Ultra-Web a must. Polyester
screens, silos, <2 TD 1.5:1 Ultra-Web oleophobic anti-static
bins, weighing, <5 HPT+W/HPH 8.0-10.0:1 Polyester recommended where
packing, <11 RF 8.0:1 (Max. C-Vel. 300 fpm) Polyester available. Do not fit DLMVs
loading, and <11 MB 6.0:1 (Max. C-Vel. 250 fpm) Polyester to elevators. Dust is
unloading <5 UMA 5.0-6.0:1 Polyester explosive and a fire hazard.
<11 DLMC 8.0:1 Polyester
Grinders, <2 DFO 3.0:1 Ultra-Web A controlled environment is
silos, bins <2 DFT 1.8:1 Ultra-Web a must. Polyester
<2 TD 1.2:1 Ultra-Web oleophobic anti-static
5-20 DLMC 7.0:1 Polyester recommended where
5-20 DLMV 8.0:1 Polyester available. Dust is explosive
<5 HPT+W/HPH 7.0-9.0:1 Polyester and a fire hazard.
<11 RF 8.0:1 (Max. C-Vel. 300 fpm) Polyester
<11 MB 6.0:1 (Max. C-Vel. 250 fpm) Polyester
<5 UMA 5.0-6.0:1 Polyester

CONFIDENTIAL INTERNAL USE ONLY Donaldson Company, Inc.

Notes
Ø Sugar dust is explosive and anti-static media and features should be considered. Explosion relief, anti-
static media and static grounding features should be recommended. Customer should be reminded of the
hazards of their dusts when quoting filtration equipment.
Ø Installations must be kept free from moisture and filter unit benefits from being located indoors.
Ø Fine sugar is very hygroscopic so relative humidity should be maintained well below 50% to avoid
crusting of the dust on the filter media surface.
Ø Ducts should be designed for easy inspection, maintenance, and cleaning.
Ø Production of sugar is a 24-hour a day, 7 day per week operation for 5-6 months of the year such that
maintenance free operation is essential.

Legislation
10 mg/m3 (8 hour TWA) per the Industrial Ventilation Guide 24th Edition

CONFIDENTIAL INTERNAL USE ONLY Donaldson Company, Inc.