MILLS AND BOILERS OPERATIONS, BEST PRACTICES

I. Introduction
II. Definition of Terms
III. Topics:
A. Mill Cane Preparatory Section and Basic Equipment
1. Cane Dumping/Unloading
1.1 Tilting Platform
1.2 Crane
2. Cross Carrier/Auxilliary Cane Carrier
2.1 Cane Leveler
2.2 Cane Kicker
3. Main Cane Carrier
3.1 Main Cane Leveler
3.2 Mane Cane Kicker
4. Cane Knives
5. Cane Shredder
B. Mill Juice Extraction (Mill Proper) Section
1. Shredded Cane Elevator
2. Mill Tandem/Drives
3. Intermediate Cane Carrier
4. Imbibition Pump
5. Juice Screen
6. Mixed Juice Pump
7. Bagasse Conveyor
IV. Boiler Operation
1. Boiler Auxiliaries
1.1 Draft Plant
1.2 Feedwater Plant
2. Types of Boiler Grates
2.1 Stationary
2.2 Oscillating
2.3 Travelling
2.4 Dump Grate
2.5 Pinhole Grate
3. Bagasse Fuel Handling and Pollution Control Devices
V. Environmental and Safety Practices

Introduction:
This presentation covers the Mills and Boilers Operation, Equipment and
some Practices adopted in the actual operation.

Milling Operation

The Milling Plant is part of the sugar factory responsible for the milling
operation within the required standard and parameters.

The following are some of the Milling Parameters:

 Milling Rate
 Extraction
 Quality of Bagasse in terms of moisture and pol
 Quantity of Imbibition Water

Flow Diagram (Milling)

Milling Operation

Main Function of the Milling Plant

1. To mill and extract juice from the sugarcane.
2. To generate bagasse with acceptable quality for boiler fuel.

Definition of Commonly used terms:

 Cane - the raw material delivered to the mill, including clean cane stalk, trash,
tops and any other extraneous matter.
 Maceration - the process in which bagasse is steeped in an excess water or juice,
generally at a high temperature. The water used is termed maceration water.
 Imbibition - the process in which water or juice is put on the bagasse to mix with
and dilute the juice present in the latter. The water so used is termed imbibition
water.
 Mixed Juice - the juice sent from the milling plant to the boiling.
 Bagasse - The residue obtained from crushing cane.
 Condensate - water condensed from vapor liberated from boiling juice or from
steam.
 Sugarcane - is a tropical grass belonging to the same tribe (andropogonae) as
sorghum, johnson grass and corn. Its botanical name is saccharum officinarum.

Mills Cane Preparation Section

Basic Equipment
1. Truck Dumper
2. Cane Carrier
3. Cane Leveler/Kicker
4. Cane Knife
5. Cane Shredder

Power for Cane Preparatory Equipment:

Latest Practices = 100 - 140 hp/tfh

Mills Cane Preparation Section

Basic Equipment
1. Truck Dumper - it is the means of unloading the cane after weighing. A platform
equipment with hydraulic cylinder for its operation.
Practices and Important Points to Consider before and during Operation:
 The Unit should have been properly inspected
 Check and Confirm that the dumpers are in good and reliable conditions.
2. Cane Carrier - It’s a moving apron which conveys cane to the shredder or directly
to the mill tandem to process the extraction of cane juice.
Practices and Important Points to Consider before and during Operation:
Checklist to ensure the complete inspection of the ff:
 Alignment of driving units, sprockets and chains and other parts which require
lubricants.
 Test run and check for any unsual observation
 Adujust carrier speed in accordance to the desired milling rate and amperage
loading of the carrier, leveler and kicker.
3. Cane Leveller- A rotating equipment against the flow of canes, are used in cane
conveyors handling chopped or prepared cane even out of the flow of cane to help
maintain a consistent level of cane in the conveyor.
Practices and Important Points to Consider before and during Operation:
Checklist to ensure the complete inspection of the ff:
 Drive unit, bearing lubrication, holding bolts and clearances.
 Actual operation, monitor regularly the motor amperage loading to avoid
overloading and adjust if necessary to reduce the speed of the carrier.
4.