Applications of ion chromatography in cane sugar research and process problems

Ion chromatography (IC) offers the sugar technologist a simple, reliable technique for the simultaneous separation and determination of inorganic and organic ions in complex process mixtures. Identification and measurement of ions present in sugar liquors are important factors in understanding and maximising sugar recovery. Choice of IC column packing, eluent composition and pH, and detection mode (suppressed and non-suppressed) are shown to be useful variables when analysing sugar factory products, especially the multivalent ions such as phosphate and organic acids (aconitic and oxalic acid). The IC methods show good agreement with conventional analysis methods (potentiometric titration, atomic emission and absorption). IC also produced excellent repeatability and recovery from these matrices. Examples of the application of IC analysis in applied sugar research and processing problems include clarification studies, degradation of molasses, sugar solution colour removal and factory process problems.