ESTIMATING BAGASSE PRODUCTION

Bagasse production is rarely measured directly. While several equations have been developed to calculate bagasse production from measured quantities, they all have some limitations. This paper introduces a new model for calculating bagasse production, based on an insoluble solids mass balance. The model has been shown to produce an average mass balance closure error over a crushing season of less than 2% cane. The model highlights the importance of the insoluble ash content in cane as a parameter affecting bagasse mass calculations. This parameter is not routinely measured at many factories. This model is complex compared with previous models for calculating bagasse mass. As such, it may not be considered appropriate for implementation at factories. It is considered useful, however, for validating other methods of measuring bagasse mass and may serve to help evaluate simpler models.