An apparatus and method for concentrating a fluid

A method of concentrating a process fluid, including a carrier fluid, including:

• (a) maintaining a process fluid at a predetermined temperature value/range;
• (b) evaporating the carrier fluid from the process fluid in an evaporator to produce a concentrated process fluid and an effluent mass transfer medium;
• (c) monitoring at least one process variable of steps (a) or (b) to detect fouling formed in either step (a) or (b);
• (d) initiating a cleaning protocol if the process variable deviates from a predetermined value/range to reduce the fouling formed;
• and
• (e) directing part of the effluent mass transfer medium into a drift chamber located downstream of the evaporator having a plurality of run-off outlets to remove entrained process fluid prior to returning the mass transfer medium to the evaporator.

A method of producing a sugar concentrate from sugar cane, including:

• (a) obtaining a sugar-containing extract from sugar cane;
• (b) maintaining the extract at a predetermined temperature value/range;
• (c) clarifying the extract in the absence of added lime;
• (d) evaporating water from the extract in an evaporator to form a sugar concentrate and an exiting air stream;
• (e) monitoring a process variable of step (b) or (d) to detect fouling formed in either step (b) or (d);
• (f) initiating a cleaning protocol if the process variable deviates from a predetermined value/range to reduce the fouling formed;
• and
• (g) directing part of the exiting air stream into a drift chamber located downstream of the evaporator having a plurality of run-off outlets to remove entrained non-vaporised sugar cane extract droplets prior to returning the air stream to the evaporator.

An apparatus for concentrating a process fluid, including a carrier fluid, comprising:

• a heat exchanger to maintain the process fluid at a predetermined temperature value/range;
• an evaporator in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to receive the process fluid and evaporate the carrier fluid from the process fluid to produce a concentrate and an effluent carrier fluid;
• at least one sensor for monitoring a process variable across the heat exchanger or the evaporator to detect fouling of the heat exchanger or the evaporator;
• a cleaning system to reduce fouling in the apparatus;
• a controller configured to receive signals from the sensor or a manual user input to initiate the cleaning system if the process variable deviates from a predetermined value/range;
• and
• a drift chamber located downstream of the evaporator having a plurality of run-off outlets to receive at least part of the effluent carrier fluid from the evaporator prior to returning the carrier fluid to the evaporator.