The given diagram illustrates the multi-stage industrial process by which sugar is manufactured from raw sugar cane. Overall, the production of sugar involves seven distinct stages, beginning with the cultivation of sugar cane and culminating in the drying and cooling of the final granulated product. It is a linear process that transforms the raw plant material into refined sugar through a series of mechanical and chemical treatments. Initially, sugar canes are cultivated for a period of 12 to 18 months before being harvested, either manually or using machinery. Subsequently, these harvested canes undergo a crushing process to extract their juice. This raw juice is then purified by passing it through a limestone filter, a crucial step for removing impurities. Following purification, the filtered juice is transferred to an evaporator, where it is heated to remove water, thereby transforming it into a concentrated syrup. The resulting syrup then moves to a centrifuge, a device designed to separate the sugar crystals from the remaining liquid syrup through rapid spinning. Finally, the separated sugar crystals undergo a drying and cooling process before they are ready for storage or packaging as the finished product.
Key Vocabulary