Consequences for bagasse storage
Laboratory investigations and stockpile measurements of bagasse self-heating have established that:
(1) Pile size and geometry are not significant.
(2) Maximum pile temperatures occur at a depth of 1.5 to 2.0 m, perpendicular to any external surface.
(3) Irrespective of initial bagasse conditions, maximum pile temperatures
increase to approximately 65 °C within the first two days of storage.
(4) Subsequent slow heating or cooling will occur.
(5) Dry bagasse will spontaneously combust above 94 °C.
(6) Little change will occur in the moisture content of the bulk of the
bagasse stockpile during normal heating.
The factors which determine stockpile heating and which increase stockpile
temperatures from the quasi-steady state level (65 C) to the onset of dry bagasse