Cane Matters / Autumn 2022
AUTOMATED STRATEGIES TO EFFECTIVELY PROCESS EXISTING SOFT CANE VARIETIES
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esearchers are working to establish improved automated strategies for processing existing soft sugarcane varieties, some of which can cause processing problems in the factory.
Main issues experienced have been feeding of the cane through the milling train and high bagasse moisture contents, which cause subsequent combustion issues and low steam pressure at the boiler station.
The goal is to achieve high throughput and extraction at the mill, as well as low final bagasse moisture. The research has been coordinated over the last three years by Geoff Kent and
Floren Plaza (Queensland University of Technology), Kelly Ryan and Phil Woods (Isis Central Sugar Mill) and Roy Parfitt (Sugar Research Australia). Work began with pilot scale shredder tests in 2019, followed by full-scale milling trials in 2020, and the installation of additional automated strategies in the Isis milling train in 2021.
