Xylose Hydrolysate Decolorization and Concentration Ultrafiltration Membrane System

      The traditional production process of xylose uses corn cobs (bagasse) as raw materials. After rough selection and soaking, acid hydrolysis is carried out in a high-temperature reaction furnace. The hydrolysate is coarsely filtered through a plate and frame filter, then desalted and decolorized using ion exchange resins, and finally evaporated, concentrated, and crystallized. The following issues exist: 

     1) The addition of acids and alkalis during hydrolysis results in a high inorganic salt content in the solution, leading to low exchange capacity and long operating times for the resins, which shortens their lifespan;

     2) During resin regeneration, the volume of wastewater discharged from the column is very large, with high conductivity and deep color, making subsequent treatment extremely difficult. The acids and alkalis in the wastewater cannot be recovered, resulting in wasted raw material costs; 

     3) Hydrolysis produces a large amount of pigments that darken the solution color. Activated carbon requires multiple adsorption cycles to reduce the color, leading to high consumption of activated carbon and increased costs; 

     4) Evaporation and concentration of the solution consume a large amount of steam, significantly increasing production costs.

        To address the shortcomings of the traditional xylose process, "Jiahe Filtration" has designed the Xylose Hydrolysate Decolorization and Concentration Ultrananofiltration Membrane System for xylose extraction. This system achieves clarification, desalination, impurity removal, decolorization, and concentration of the sugar solution, effectively reducing the consumption of acids and alkalis and decreasing subsequent steam usage, thereby lowering production costs. The permeate water from membrane concentration is colorless, with COD and TDS values better than tap water standards, and can be reused in the hydrolysis process, saving energy and reducing emissions, bringing significant economic benefits to enterprises. 

       Process flow: Raw material hydrolysis → JMF membrane separation → Ion exchange → JNF membrane concentration → Subsequent processes

        Advantages of the xylose membrane separation and concentration process: 

       1. JMF membrane separation effectively removes macromolecular pigments, tannins, colloids, etc., from the solution, improving resin exchange efficiency and extending resin lifespan; 

       2. JNF membrane concentration is electrically driven, with low energy consumption, reducing subsequent concentration costs; 

       3. The UF/RO system can effectively recover and reuse waste acids and alkalis from ion exchange columns;

       4. The cross-flow filtration method of membrane filtration effectively addresses fouling issues in high-concentration sugar solution filtration;

       5. The membrane system is highly automated, simple to operate, and stable in operation;

      6. Membrane elements are easy to restore after cleaning and have a long service life.

      7. Membrane elements have a high packing density, and the system occupies a small footprint, making it suitable for technological transformation, expansion, or new projects in old factories, effectively reducing production costs and investment.