If the dewatered bagasse must be
elevated, a very simple solution is to
use a drag—flight conveyor fitted with a
perforated bottom (3-6 mm diameter holes)
through which the water drains. This
accomplishes both drainage and elevation
in one step. Also. the unit is self~
cleaning since the flights drag the
210 / TAPPI Proceedings
bagasse across the perforations; shearing
off or dragging out any bagasse that has
stuck vertically in the perforations.
As elevation of the bagasse is not always
necessary, a horizontal drag—flight
drainer (see Fig. 3) can be used. This
is essentially a short, horizontal drag-
flight conveyor fitted with a perforated
plate drainer bottom. The length and
width. and speed and depth of the flights
are selected to suit the dewatering
capacity desired. The drainage widths
range from 75 to 90 cm with flight depths
of 20 to 30 cm. The speed is in the
order of 30-45 m/min.. and the overall
length may reach 10 m. The flights which
transport the bagasse across the
perforated plates are fitted with rubber
scrapers that keep the perforated plates
clean.