Screening of factory liquor using a vibratory unit

The carryover of fine fibre particles (bagacillo) with evaporator supply juice is common and levels of up to 4.5 tonnes of wet fibre per day were measured at Racecourse Mill during the 1997 crushing season. This residual bagaci 110 flows through to the massecuite and can result in the blinding of fugal backing screens. This blinding is generally more pronounced on continuous high-grade fugals than batch fugals. The removal of this bagacillo maximises fugal efficiency, availability and performance. This paper describes the process of investigation, testing, monitoring and installation of several vibratory screening units into Mackay Sugar's mills for the removal of residual bagacillo and scale from evaporator liquor. Process and laboratory testing during the 1997 crushing season provides a clear picture of the benefits obtained from the implementation of the trial units and details further work required to improve performance.