The next-generation cane-fibre analyser

Cane-fibre analysis plays an important role in the cane-payment system in Australia. The relationship between brix in first-expressed juice and brix in cane and the relationship between pol in first-expressed juice and pol in cane are affected by the cane-fibre content. As a result, Australian raw-sugar factories conduct cane-fibre analysis each day through the crushing season. Since the early 1990s, cane-fibre analysis has been mainly undertaken using the SRI can fibre machine. Although many factories now use the NIR Cane Analysis System for online cane-fibre measurement, the SRI can fibre machine is still used daily for calibration purposes. A new can fibre analyser, labelled the CFA01, was designed to replace the SRI can fibre machine. Two prototype CFA01s were tested at Maryborough, Isis and Pioneer factories in the 2020 season. The CFA01 is a logical successor to the SRI can fibre machine, being functionally similar. The testing program has supported a hypothesis that the measurement of mean fibre content from the CFA01 is the same as that of the can fibre machine. Method 4A of the standard laboratory manual for Australian sugar mills was explicitly developed to use the SRI can fibre machine. Changes to the method are necessary before the CFA01 can be used for cane payment. A fast-dry mode has been developed that can potentially reduce the total drying time, mainly by eliminating the need for a check-dry. Changes to method 4A are also necessary before a fast-dry method could be used for cane payment.