Browsing by Author "Jacob, MV"

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    Pre-treatment of sugar cane : Final report JCU030
    (2011) Jacob, MV
    This project developed a customised microwave applicator for the pre-treatment of sugar cane. Three undergraduate Engineering students investigated the optimisation of microwave treatment, mechanical and chemical properties. The microwave treatment resulted steam, popping or burning of the sugar cane depending on the power and treatment time. The investigations substantiated that the microwave treatment of the sugar cane soften the strength of the sugar cane. Young’s modulus, yield strength and ultimate strength in compressive state were measured as functions of different microwave-treatment parameters. Results have demonstrated that microwave treatment has resulted in up to an 80% reduction in cane billet mechanical properties including yield strength, ultimate strength, and Young’s modulus. Microwave treatment significantly reduced the compressive strength of sugar cane making it easier to crush and as result around 60% energy can be saved during the crushing process.