Cane Tops and Leaves as Boiler Fuel

Abstract

This paper finds that it is possible to burn cane tops and leaves (CTL) as a fuel for boilers in sugar factories.  Best results were however obtained when it is mixed with bagasse in the ratio 30% CTL and 70% bagasse with respect to energy content, exhaust particles and necessity for not modifying existing systems for burning the mixture. As CTL is relatively cheap and renewable and the quantity available is large, the potential therefore can be positively exploited in the sugar sector’s drive to produce electricity.

Keywords: bagasse, cane tops and leaves, calorific value, water, temperature rise, humidity, time.