The cleaning of harvested sugar cane to remove tops, trash, rocks and soil is not a new concept: Spencer & Meade (1948) describe a dry cane cleaning plant used in Hawaii in 1939. The plant, developed in Louisiana, chopped the stalks into 30cm billets and used revolving brushes to dislodge soil and trash, to be removed by suction fans; a rock eliminator operated in front of the cleaning plant. Spencer & Meade diplomatically conclude that “its operation was not entirely successful”. Beale & Pashley (1958) mention a cane washing plant operating in Queensland in 1940. Cabrer et al (1965) in… Login to continue

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