Sorbitol

Sorbitol

Sorbitol crystals in wooden spoons

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a low calories sweetener and humectant used in food and beverage, confectionery, personal care, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. It has about 60% of the sweetness of sucrose (sugar).

Sorbitol is derived from glucose hydrolyzed from starches like potato and corn. It is commonly sold as a powder or as a 70% solution syrup with 110 cPs viscosity at 25ᵒC (77ᵒF). Specific gravity is 1.3, requiring attention to NPSHa, and pH is neutral to slightly acidic.

Hygienic positive displacement pumps are used in the manufacture, distribution and end uses of sorbitol syrup due to the elevated viscosity, low NPSHr and requirements for CIP-ability to maintain process hygiene.

    Viking in the Process

    Viking internal gear pumps are used in the processing of various starches and transfer to hydrolysis tanks where enzymes or acid are added, resulting in the glucose syrup. Viking hygienic lobe or circumferential piston pumps are used to move the glucose syrup through purification to hydrogenation, further purification and evaporation to the 70% syrup, with a

    portion to further evaporation for powdered product. They pump the syrup to bulk transport or packaging at the manufacturer. Then at the customer facility they unload bulk tankers and meter sorbitol to the process.

      Applications

      • Glucose syrup
      • Sorbitol transfer and metering

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