Cane soil removal in Thailand to aid sugar processing

Soil in cane consignments is a serious problem in Thai sugar factories today. They can cause extensive damage in cane processing equipment and affect sugar quality, resulting in lost revenues of between US$10 and 15 million for each one percent increase in cane soil. Currently, there are no suitable solutions to remove soil in cane. With reference to studies with cane sugar factories in the north-eastern region of Thailand, an equipment developed to remove soil was examined. Findings indicated that soil in cane delivered to the sugar mills, was in the range 0.1 - 104.9 kg/tonne cane. The soil caused major damage to the equipment in cane preparation and extraction, steam generation, and juice preparation and clarification. Realistically, the most suitable place to locate the soil-removing machine is between the side carrier and the main carrier. The equipment consists of a sieve plate working together with roller screen. This dry separation principal has no negative effects on the CCS. The equipment could remove at least 93% of the total soil in cane resulting in probable saving of at least US$23.3 million annually in production cost.