Usually. there are three piles (one being
built up, one being reclaimed, and one
dormant). and piping is arranged in a
loop about the piles. The piles are
operated on a first—in. first-out basis.
Alternatively. the bagasse may be pumped
to a mobile tower on rails fitted with a
pipe on a boom at the top that builds up
one long pile as the tower is moved to
various positions along the track where
it can be connected to a pipeline
parallel to the track. (See Fig. 1) (4)
A variation of this, by the writer. is
the pivoted adjustable height pipeline
stacker. In this arrangement, the pipe
SuPPorting tower runs on a semi—circular
track. The bagasse/water slurry is
pumped to the stacker through a rotary
Joint; hence, there is no need to connect
and disconnect the piping as the tower is
moved. The pipe boom arm can be raised
as the pile builds up; thereby allowing
the pile to be build up without
disturbance. The pile width can be
extended by placing lightweight tlume
sections on the top; and, as the slab
where the transport water is reclaimed is
sloped to the pivot point, the distance
the return water must flow is always the
minimum. By also locating the slusher
for reclaimed bagasse at the pivot point,
the distance that reclaimed bagasse must
be moved is also always the minimum.
(See Fig. 2) Semi—circular piles can
also be piled and reclaimed on a first—
in. first~out basis.
When Piling begins. the bagasse transport
water should be acidified with sulphuric
r
l
or formic acid. In a short time,
fermentation of the residual sugars
provides the organic acids that maintain
a low PH in the pile. and further
acidification is no longer required. A
low pH (3.5 — 4.5) is desirable as the
growth of microorganisms that attack
cellulose is inhibited. Alternatively. a
culture of lactic acid bacteria (Ritter
system) can be added to the bagasse
transport water to assure an even more
rapid drop in pH and better preservation
of brightness. Wet bulk piles reach a
height of 20 meters or more, and are
shaped and compacted by dozers.