Efftciency improvement in a cane sugar plant using a bagasse dryer

Predrying of bagasse using waste heat from the boiler flue-gas has been attempted to improve the performance of the boilers and to save bagasse for co-generation. A flash dryer was commissioned during 1999-2000 at The Andhra Sugars Ltd., Unit-I. Flue gas at 180degreesC is being used to dry bagasse from 50% to 42% moisture content. A net saving of 11% of bagasse was achieved. The bagasse thus saved is being used in the company's co-generation plant. The stack gas quality has also improved significantly. The operation of the bagasse dryer is discussed and the performance results are presented in this paper.