The following table will indicate the composition of ash from different molasses:[4]
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Mill sulphitation. | Diffusion sulphitation. | Open kettle. | Carbonitation. | |
| Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | |
| Potash | 49.48 | 52.20 | 51.48 | 50.16 |
| Soda | .89 | .80 | 1.11 | .32 |
| Lime | 6.47 | 6.78 | 6.58 | 8.53 |
| Magnesia | 4.29 | 3.09 | 3.99 | 2.66 |
| Iron oxide | .35 | .33 | .15 | .47 |
| Alumina | .30 | .22 | .13 | .30 |
| Silica | 4.12 | 4.59 | 2.83 | 4.10 |
| Phosphoric acid | 3.71 | 3.80 | 2.12 | .91 |
| Sulphuric acid | 10.79 | 6.72 | 10.94 | 11.18 |
| Carbonic acid | 7.49 | 11.19 | 13.06 | 15.78 |
| Chlorine | 14.00 | 11.95 | 9.10 | 4.59 |
| ——— | ——— | ——— | ——— | |
| 101.89 | 101.67 | 101.49 | 99.00 | |
| Deduct O minus Cl. | 3.16 | 2.70 | 2.05 | 1.04 |
| ——— | ——— | ——— | ——— | |
| 98.73 | 98.97 | 99.44 | 97.96 | |
| ——— | ——— | ——— | ——— | |
| Undetermined (carbon, etc.) | 1.27 | 1.03 | 0.56 | 2.04 |
| Alkalinity (cc. tenth normal per gram ash) cc. | 80 | 93 | 95 | 109 |
In order to make a wise selection of the method of handling the different by-products the manufacturer must take into consideration many factors. Among them will be the quantity of his output, the facilities for handling it in any specified manner, the demand for different finished products to be made therefrom, etc. All of these and many other points must receive due consideration by a manager who expects to attain success in his work.
[1] Paper read before the Louisiana Sugar Planters Assn., June 12, 1913.
[2] Cultivation of Sugar Cane, by Dr. Stubbs.
[3] From United States Department of Agriculture Bulletin, No. 107, p. 203.
[4] Bulletin 91, Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station.