Browsing by Author "Hobson, PA"

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Analysis of bagasses and trash utilisation options : SRDC final report QUT008
(SRDC, 2006) Hobson, PA; Edye, LA; Lavarack, BP; Rainey, T
The range of potential value adding processes for bagasse and trash currently being considered by the industry is diverse. There is, therefore, an urgent need for a preliminary evaluation of the relative merits of these processes, products and markets in order to provide appropriate commercial and research direction.
Analysis of field and factory options for efficient gathering and utilisation of trash from green cane harvesting : SRDC Final report BS157S
(2000) Ridge, DR; Hobson, PA
The objectives of this project were: to determine field costs for harvest\transport of cane with varying levels of cleaning by the harvester; to determine similar costs for field to factory transport; to establish the total industry cost of the various options; to determine the feasibility of cleaning at the mill; and to determine the economic feasibility of importing and burning additional extraneous matter for co-generation of power.
Integrated value chain scenarios for enhanced mill region profitability
(2005) Thorburn, PJ; Archer, AA; Hobson, PA; Higgins, AJ; Sandel, GR; Prestwidge, DB; Andrew, B; Antony, G; McDonald, LJ; Downs, P; Juffs, R
The Australian sugar industry has recently faced an unprecedented cost-price ‘squeeze’ from a run of poor seasons and the collapse of the sugar price. As a result there is impetus to consider diversifying products from the raw sugar production value chain. The chain is complex however, and alternative products will necessitate substantial changes to the chain, the impacts of which will be difficult to predict a priori. Modelling offers insights into the impacts of, and benefits from changes to value chains. Analyses of the chain should, ideally, be conducted in enough biophysical detail to allow the logistical challenges to be properly analysed. The application of these modelling techniques in a participatory environment would allow groups within mill regions to more thoroughly evaluate diversification options of their sugar value chains in their region, and so move forward with more confidence and greater understanding than occurs with other approaches. While participatory modelling has previously been undertaken for issues in one or two sectors of the Australian sugar value chain, it has not been attempted for the whole of the chain before. In this project we aimed to facilitate the improved economic efficiency of the sugar industry value chain through developing and participatively applying an innovative modelling capability that allowed industry groups to identify and evaluate sugar value chain diversification options. The project was conducted in partnership with all sectors of the Burdekin and Maryborough industries. The first phase of the project entailed working with the regional groups to identify and prioritise potential diversification options for their region. In both regions whole crop harvesting to maximise electricity co-generation was identified as the highest priority venture for consideration in the project. In the Burdekin, two contrasting mill regions (Invicta and Pioneer) were analysed to maximise the relevance of the results to the region.