How does diffusion extract sugar from prepared sugarcane?

In the context of sugarcane processing, diffusion is an alternative method to traditional milling for extracting sugar from the plant.1

After the sugarcane is prepared by rotating knives and a shredder to expose its tissue, the material is moved through a multicell, countercurrent diffuser. In this system, the sugar is extracted as the prepared cane travels against a flow of water.1

This process is generally more efficient than milling, achieving an average extraction rate of approximately 93 percent compared to the 85–90 percent typically achieved by roller mills. However, because diffusion also extracts a higher percentage of nonsugars, it is most commonly utilized in regions where the quality of the cane is highest. Once the extraction is complete, the resulting juice is sent for clarification, while the remaining fiber, known as bagasse, is separated.12