Electromagnetic effects on juice heater fouling and clarified juice quality

An electromagnetic device has been installed in a limed mixed juice line at the Westfield Sugars factory, Louisiana, to test its effects on the overal l heat transfer coefficient, on fouling in the juice heaters, and on clarif ication characteristics. The device produces a freely rotating magnetic fie ld within a static field, at an intensity of 0.132 kA/m, When the device wa s activated the overall heat transfer coefficient of the juice heaters fell by approximately 1.6% per day on average, compared to 2.7% per day with th e magnet off. Furthermore, the scale was less crystalline and more amorphou s, the clarified juice was less turbid, and the initial settling velocity o f the clarified juice was sharply reduced with the magnet in operation, alt hough the final mud volume was very similar.