136

5 Milling

As the Fourth roll to direct feed

Figure 5.21: chute
becomes steeper, so the
approach angle onto the
feed roll becomes too
square for good feeding.
This requires that an
underfeed or a rull roll be
added 10 turn the bagasse
into the mill feed opening.
This is shown
diagranunatically in Figure
5.21 and a fully assembled
four roll mill with Donnelly
chute is shown in Figure
5.22
[n order to ensure that the enclosed Donnelly chute does
not itself impede the downward
flow of bagasse to the mill, the frontao-hack width of
the chute should diverge slightly. It is usually found 0 05 h )
that a divergence of about 20 mm per meter ofchute
length is sufficient for good operation. With finely ties of 85 kgJmÅ can be achieved from first to final
prepared cane, Jit is even possible to have the chute null.
converge slit'hlly over the bott01D 300 to 500 mm of The height of bagasse in a Donnell) chute can be
its length, and such chute width adjustment has been reliably measured and transmitted using either
used to control the feed rate/roll torque on some mills conductivity or capacitance proximity sensors. To
and pressure feeders. gain optimum benefit from a Donnelly chute, the
Note that the T)ennc/iv chute width is an level ofthe bagasse in the chute should be controlled
important component of mill performance and has an at a minimum of 60 % of chute height or about 1.5
optimum setting for any given mill. The position of (whichever is less). fie level in the first mill chute is
feed into the rolls is also imporlant. Chute design
should therefore always allow for width adjustment,
usually by providing slotted holes in the side plates.
The pressure generated at the base of a vertical
Donnelly chute (and therefore feed density) is a
function of the height of chute. Research has found the
relationship:

(5.37)

where:
p pressure in kPu.
h height of bagasse column in m.
factor dependent on preparation and mill posi-
tion.
As indicated by this relationship, pressure does not
increase appreciably after feed chute heights of ape
proximately .5 (Muro•et al. 1962, Cullen and McKay
1992). ith well-prepared cane, fiber densi. Figure 5.22: Four-roll mill ith Oonreltv chute in place
(Courtesy oiTletcher Smith)