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
spontaneous combustion (9-4°C) have not been identified. Further micro-
calorimetry would establish the criticality conditions of the linking reactions. It is
considered that Specific identification of the reaction mechanisms and quantification of the controlling effects of physical diffusion processes may be
necessary to provide practical directions for spontaneous combustion control. A
consequence of these investigations would be the determination of appropriate
pile monitoring procedures to identify the stages leading to spontaneous
combustion.