The right mix of sugar specialties with Sulzer agitators

The preparation of syrups and sugar solutions involves multiple tanks for storage, dissolving, blending, heating, and more. The right agitation is needed in each tank for smooth operation throughout the whole process. Sulzer supplied 22 new reliable horizontal agitators combining efficiency and ease of use.

Lisette Meckenheim, Technical Project Manager, Nordic Sugar, commented: “For all sugar products our motto is top quality and customer proximity. As an equipment supplier, Sulzer shares the same values.”

The challenge

A wide range of liquid sugars and syrups (fructose, glucose, invert sugar, etc.) can be created from few raw materials (white sugar, water, molasses, etc.) and other ingredients. The formulations are numerous and vary in blend, flavor, color, sweetness, dry matter content, and viscosity. This requires production flexibility with versatile equipment, including agitators.

Agitation processes can differ significantly between tanks, with solid-liquid dispersion, suspension, and dissolving or liquid-liquid blending, homogenization, and heat transfer.

Capital and operational expenditures must be minimized with agitators having a cost-effective design, reduced maintenance, and high efficiency.

The solution

As a long-standing partner, Sulzer worked closely with Nordic Sugar for the selection of 22 gear-driven agitators – one for each cylindrical tank.

Despite the variety of applications, tank sizes, and fluid properties, only two agitator models were chosen. This significantly simplified installation will streamline maintenance, reducing service costs over the facility’s lifetime.

Some of the agitators have been equipped with a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive), enabling optimal mixing under changing conditions. For instance, when the liquid level in a tank drops, the agitator speed can be reduced to prevent air vortex formation.

All units feature double mechanical seals and are mounted on support legs, which helps minimize vibrations and extends seal life.

The wetted parts of the agitator are made of duplex stainless steel with a special surface finish to ensure optimal cleanability during CIP (Clean-in-Place) procedures.

Customer benefit

• At the Örtofta plant, over 150 Sulzer pumps and agitators are in operation, some for more than 40 years, and under demanding conditions. By choosing Sulzer for its new liquid sugar and syrup facility, the client ensured the installation of agitators that deliver both performance and durability for decades to come.
• For each tank the right agitation intensity is achieved with minimal power consumption, resulting in significant energy savings and a reduced TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
• Throughout the entire product lifecycle, Sulzer will continue providing Nordic Sugar with personalized support and qualified service to reinforce the long-term partnership between the two companies.

Product data

For the new facility Sulzer supplied 22 horizontal agitators: models 60SFVPT and 80SFVPT.

                      60SFVPT               80SFVPT
Quantity     19                          3
Impeller      3 blades SHP1      3 blades SHP1
Speed          327 rpm                339 rpm
Power          5.5 and 7.5 kW     11 kW
Fluid            Liquid sugar, syrups, molasses, juice, etc.
Purpose      Blending, homogenization, heat transfer, etc.

The Sulzer plus 

Sulzer is a global leader in critical applications for core infrastructure and processes for large essential industries around the world. We ensure the security, quality and durability of critical goods and services by supporting energy security, natural resource management and efficiencies in process industries. This in turn supports the transition to a circular economy. Our integrated solutions add significant value by enabling energy efficiency, carbon emissions and pollution reduction, and process efficiency improvements. Customers benefit from our commitment to innovation, performance and quality through our responsive network of 160 world-class manufacturing facilities and service centers across the globe. Sulzer has been headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834. In 2024, our 13’500 employees delivered revenues of CHF 3.5 billion. Our shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SUN). www.sulzer.com.