Efficient sugar syrup disinfection thanks to UV treatment

The ProMinent UV system Dulcodes LP thin-layer can disinfect up to 36 m3 of sugar syrup per hour.

Sugar solutions are a key ingredient in soft drink recipes. However, sugar syrup is particularly susceptible to spores, as well as yeast and mould fungi, which must be reliably eliminated during production. Traditionally, this is done by heat pasteurisation. A more cost-efficient alternative is disinfection by means of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. UV disinfection requires less energy and removes germs more effectively than pasteurisation.

The ProMinent UV system Dulcodes LP thin-layer can disinfect up to 36 m3 of sugar syrup per hour. UV disinfection is a proven method for inactivating harmful microorganisms. Its UV radiation kills up to 99.99% of all germs in translucent media.

Thin-layer UV systems occupy a special position among UV systems. Due to their design, they are particularly suitable for viscous media such as sugar syrup. For example, energy can be saved when processing sugar syrup by replacing heat pasteurisation with UV disinfection to render the syrup germ-free.

Mostly sugar syrup with 60-65° Brix is involved. Conventional heat treatment processes use a heat exchanger and considerable amounts of energy to bring sugar syrup to high temperatures, hold it there for a longer period of time and thus sterilise it.

Thermoresistant spores cannot always be sufficiently eliminated by pasteurisation. Some of these spores can be stimulated to germinate and grow by the pasteurisation process. UV disinfection can also render 99.99% of these thermoresistant spores harmless.

Compared to pasteurisation, UV treatment allows the syrup to be disinfected within a very short time without adding heat. UV irradiation with the required dose is completely sufficient for disinfection. The taste and appearance of the beverages are not changed by treatment with the Dulcodes LP thin-layer UV system. Replacing pasteurisation therefore increases product quality and significantly saves energy and costs.