It is the consensus of opinion of the majority of consulting engineers, superintendents and managers of Louisiana sugar mills, that the bagasse from one ton of average cane at 75 % mill extraction (which will be obtained with a six-roller mill) will develop about one boiler horse power per day of 24 hours. The bagasse from tropical cane will do somewhat better than this, as weather conditions permit of a longer drying period, which increases the percentage of fibre.
A modern Louisiana sugar house requires about i M boiler horse power for each ton of cane handled in 24 hours. Hence, a i000 ton house requires 15oo B.H.P. of which i000 H.P. is obtained from bagasse and so() H.P., from the auxiliary fuel, which is almost invariably oil.
Sugar mill boilers are usually divided into those burning bagasse alone, and those using oil alone; however, it is customary to install one or more oil burners in each bagasse furnace for the purpose of increasing the horse power if necessary; and for facili tating the firing up of a cold boiler with bagasse by simply lighting the oil burner until the bagasse is burning freely, thus saving about three hours' time as well as considerable wood or coal which would be used for this purpose.
When using oil in connection with bagasse, the burner is placed through a hole in the boiler front and directed downward, in such a way as to direct the oil flame into the flame from the bagasse and not on the bagasse directly, as this would cause a deposit of car bon due to the oil striking this comparatively cold fuel.
When using stacks of less than ioo ft. height it is advisable to use a forced draft (usually about 4 oz.) for the proper combustion of bagasse. Since stacks for oil burning furnaces need not be over 7o ft. high, it is sometimes advisable to !install a forced draft system for the bagasse burners, thus saving the cost of the additional height of stack.
A very comprehensive and interesting article entitled "Fuel in the Sugar House," by Prof. Chas. E. Coates, appeared in the Louisiana Planter, April 14, 1906. This article deals with the use of oil, coal, bagasse and wood.
The Texas Company has, in the past ten years, furnished millions of barrels of oil fuel to the Sugar Plantations of Louisiana, and is proud of its record of reliability, both as to quality of oil and prompt service.