Sugarcane Transport Research Articles

Multi-objective mixed mode sugarcane transportation model using fuzzy NSGA

Multi-objective mixed mode sugarcane transportation model using fuzzy NSGA

Risk assessment of soil compaction due to machinery traffic used in infield transportation of sugarcane during mechanized harvesting

Soil stress imposed by tire-soil contact from transshipment vehicles used in mechanized sugarcane harvesting results in increase in the degree of compactness. In this study we aimed to: (i) estimate the magnitude and propagation of vertical stress into soil caused by sugarcane transshipment wheeling; and (ii) assess the risk and occurrence of soil compaction in an Oxisol of southeastern Brazil. Three tractor-trailers with a carrying capacity of 10, 21, and 30 Mg, and an autonomous truck-trailer with a carrying capacity of 20 Mg were evaluated as field traffic treatments. For each treatment, magnitude and distribution of vertical soil stress (σz) and soil strength (precompression stress, σp) were predicted by modeling estimation and risk of compaction was assessed by σp/σz relationship. The occurrence of soil compaction was evaluated based on measured changes in the bulk density and macroporosity (equivalent pore diameter > 50 μm) up to 0.70 m deep after wheeling. Estimates indicated that the autonomous truck applied stresses that reached 595 kPa at the soil surface beneath the centerline of the tire, imposing the greatest risk of compaction up to a depth of 0.35 m depth. The stresses at the soil surface beneath the centerline from the tractor-towed trailer tires ranged from 275 to 279 kPa, imposing a risk of compaction that did not exceed 0.29 m depth. All assessed transshipment configurations promoted soil compaction, detected by increases in the soil bulk density and decreases in the macroporosity, even at greater depths where risk prediction had not alerted to the soil compaction. The most significant impact on soil compaction was observed for the autonomous truck-trailer and the tractor-towed trailer with a carrying capacity of 30 Mg, also affecting subsoil, as evidenced by a relative increase in soil bulk density of 5 % and 7 % in the 0.30−0.50 m and 0.50−0.70 m layers, respectively, and a relative reduction in macroporosity of 40 % and 50 % in these same soil layers.

Sugarcane inspired polydopamine @ attapulgite-based aerogels with vertical pore structure for solar-driven steam generation

Desalination using solar-driven photothermal evaporators (SPEs) is of great significance for solving mankind's current shortage of fresh water. Herein, inspired by the vascular bundles for the directed and rapid transport of water and organic pollution such as inorganic salts in the vascular system of sugarcane, a polydopamine (PDA) @ attapulgite (ATP) based biomimetic aerogel (named as PAS aerogels) was prepared for efficient desalination. In PAS aerogels, the ATP gives the aerogel excellent mechanical properties, whereas the PDA gives the aerogel excellent light absorption properties. In the wet state, PAS aerogels have low thermal conductivity (0.24 W ∙ m−1∙ K−1) and low apparent density (0.13 g ∙ cm−3). Indicating that the photothermal evaporation rate of PAS-1.5 aerogel is 1.71 kg ∙ m−2∙ h−1 in pure water under 1 sun irradiation. Meanwhile, it can maintain excellent evaporation performance even in high salt solution with 20% concentration (about 1.50 kg ∙ m−2∙ h−1). Owing to the vertical pore structure of the aerogel, which is similar to that of sugarcane transport tissues, the aerogel has both an adequate supply of water and excellent salt tolerance. Furthermore, outdoor experiment of Yellow Sea water evaporation demonstrates its feasibility in the actual production of desalination.

Spatial Predictive Modeling of the Burning of Sugarcane Plots in Northeast Thailand with Selection of Factor Sets Using a GWR Model and Machine Learning Based on an ANN-CA

The main purpose of the study is to apply symmetry principles to general mathematical modelling based on multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach for use in development in conjunction with geographic weighted regression (GWR) model and optimize the artificial neural network-cellular automaton (ANN-CA) model for forecasting the sugarcane plot burning area of Northeast Thailand. First, to calculate the service area boundaries of sugarcane transport that caused the burning of sugarcane with a fire radiative power (FRP) values using spatial correlation analysis approach. Second, the analysis of the spatial factors influencing sugarcane burning. The study uses the approach of symmetry in the design of algorithm for finding the optimal service boundary distance (called as cut-off) in the analysis of hot-spot clustering and uses calculations with the geographic information system (GIS) approach, and the final stage is the use of screened independent variable factors to predict the plots of burned sugarcane in 2031. The results showed that the positively related factors for the percentage of cane plot sintering in the sub-area units of each sugar plant’s service were the distance to transport sugarcane plots index and percentage of sugarcane plantations in service areas, while the negative coefficients were FRP differences and density of sugarcane yield factors, according to the analysis with a total of seven spatial variables. The best GWR models display local R2 values at levels of 0.902 to 0.961 in the service zones of Khonburi and Saikaw. An influential set of independent variables can increase the accuracy of the ANN-CA model in forecasting with kappa statistical estimates in the range of 0.81 to 0.85 The results of the study can be applied to other regions of Thailand, including countries with similar sugarcane harvesting industries, to formulate policies to reduce the exposure of sugarcane harvested by burning methods and to support the transportation of sugarcane within the appropriate scope of service so that particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) can be reduced.

SIMULATION OF EFFICIENCY IN AVAILABILITY FOR DIFFERENT SUGARCANE (Saccharum spp.) TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT

Brazil is the world’s largest sugarcane producer destined for mills producing alcohol, sugar, and electricity cogeneration. Sugarcane transport to the mills is carried out by trucks with trailers and tractors with semi-trailers, which transport the raw material harvested in the field to the mill. The modal road system of sugarcane transport uses this equipment to meet the continuous demand of the harveste draw material, with punctuality in the transport execution and generating a minimum cost. This study aimed to analyze the influence of availability efficiency on the operational and economic performance of different sugarcane transport equipment. A computational model called TransporteCana was developed in a spreadsheet due to the difficulty in meeting the objective under field conditions. The model was checked for possible routine errors, validated, and used in the analysis of variables and generation of results. The results showed that increasing availability efficiency reduces the operational cost of producing the equipment. Large managerial investments for the means of execution are required for high availability efficiencies.

Sugarcane Transportation and Harvesting Cost in Punjab

Sugarcane is one of the most important commercial crops of Punjab. Being an annual crop, the costs incurred in raising sugarcane were comparatively higher than other field crops. Due to its bulky nature, farmers spent hugely on harvesting and transporting cane to sugar mills. A field survey comprising 200 growers was undertaken in major cane growing districts of the state. The results revealed the selling of a major share of a marketable surplus of cane to the sugar mills with negligible quantity to jaggery manufacturers. The cane harvesting/ chopping was under a contractual system, including loading for transport to sugar mills. The harvesting cost of sugarcane worked out at 15071, while the transportation cost was 3479 per acre. Problems encountered by the cane growers included; transportation bottlenecks due to heavily loaded vehicles, based distribution of purchase slips by the sugar mills favouring politically sound/ connected growers and long waiting periods in the vicinity of sugar mills during the marketing process.

Modeling of Sugarcane Felling Information System Using the Use Case Driven Object Method

Use case driven object is a method for controlling object-oriented modeling based on functions or operations in the system (use case). Sistem Informasi Tebang Angkut Tebu (SITAT) is an operational information system for cutting and transporting sugarcane in a sugar factory. The system was made to improve the method of managing sugarcane plantations, analysis of sugarcane ripening, the process of cutting sugarcane, and the weighing process. Referring to the use case driven object method, this object-based system modeling discussion on SITAT will focus on the stages of designing use case diagrams, use case descriptions, robustness diagrams, and sequence diagrams. The implementation of use case driven method is expected to reduce bad factors, optimize existing resources, improve services to farmers, sugarcane owners or other stakeholders, which will lead to increase efficiency and effectiveness in all processes related to sugarcane transport management.

CO2 Emissions from Fuel Consumption in the Logistic Stages of the Brazilian Bioethanol Supply Chain

The study reports the CO2 emissions from diesel combustion in the following stages of the Brazilian ethanol supply chain: (a) agricultural operations (management), (b) sugarcane transportation to the mill, and (c) biofuel transportation to the destination. To assess the sensitivity of the results to different origins, five regions representative of ethanol production were selected, and the final destination was the port of Santos. The transportation stage from the mill to the port included the possible effects of using multimodal alternatives, such as road–rail and road–pipeline. The results indicate that diesel consumption varies greatly by region of origin, and agricultural management, such as tilling, planting, and harvesting operations, accounts for about 70% of total diesel emissions to the ethanol supply chain. Rail and pipeline transportation are ultimately important for mitigating emissions from fuel consumption in logistics corridors for exporting ethanol. It is a valuable contribution to supporting private actions and public policies related to the mitigation of emissions in the logistic stages of bioethanol, especially related to the optimization of the agricultural management process and improvement of the multimodal transport infrastructure, respectively. It is also a lesson to countries intending to produce ethanol from sugarcane.

Evaluation of Polyethylene Mulching and Sugarcane Cultivar on Energy Inputs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Ethanol Production in a Temperate Climate

Fossil energy inputs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the cultivation and transport of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) for bioethanol production in Tanegashima, Japan, were estimated by life cycle assessment (LCA). The aim was to understand the effects of combined systems of polyethylene mulching treatment (mulching at planting and every ratooning, MM; mulching only at planting, MU; and untreated, i.e., no mulching at all, UU) and cultivar (a cold-tolerant genotype, NiTn18, and a conventional variety, NiF8). The mulch treatments and cultivars were combined to create six cultivation systems that were used to conduct a comparative assessment of cradle-to-gate energy inputs and emissions for bioethanol production. The LCA results showed that the energy inputs and GHG emissions resulting from the MM/NiF8 system were 6.29 MJ L−1 and 0.500 kg CO2e L−1, which were 14% and 23% lower, respectively, than the corresponding values in the UU/NiF8 system. In contrast, the MU/NiF8 system increased the environmental loads slightly. The use of NiTn18 improved sugarcane performance and ethanol yields substantially as compared with NiF8, reducing energy inputs to 5.38, 5.24, and 5.55 MJ L−1 and GHG emissions to 0.473, 0.450, and 0.441 kg CO2e L−1 for the UU, MU, and MM treatments, respectively. The energy inputs and GHG emissions were similar among the systems, indicating that more flexible mulching treatments might be acceptable in the NiTn18 systems than in the NiF8 systems. The energy inputs and GHG emissions resulting from the UU/NiTn18 system were 14% and 5% lower, respectively, than those of the MM/NiF8 system, suggesting that it may be possible to overcome the handicap of sugarcane production in cold conditions by breeding cold-tolerant cultivars.

Performance management in logistics outsourcing: a study on sugar-energy industry

PurposeThis paper analyzes managerial practices currently used for outsourced logistics activities in mechanized cutting, loading and transportation (CLT) of sugarcane in a Brazilian company using performance-based logistics contracts (PBL) as reference.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology draws on literature review, design of an analysis model, small group meetings with academics/industry professionals and practical application through a case study. The model is based on PBL and its construction involved choosing the analysis axes, defining evaluation items and respective measurement scale and the means and sources of data collection.FindingsWhen comparing the evaluation results with PBL recommendations, it is possible to see that there are still many improvement opportunities. In contracting axis, decision-making process was poor-rated due to the absence of strategic considerations to support outsourcing decision. Procurement, contract and implementation are in intermediate level. Performance management is the most mature axis. However, quality analysis showed intermediate level. In relationship axis, the most relevant gap is the lack of expectations alignment. Remaining items showed intermediate levels of compliance but still need focusing on communication, establishing a structured relationship management development.Originality/valueThis study contributes first to develop an analysis model based on PBL to evaluate the level of relationship integration between company and logistics service provider, and second, to apply the model to an empirical case in a CLT company operation. As a result, the analysis model presents guidelines for the company, not to just contract/rent equipment and manpower but hire results.

PENENTUAN RUTE TRANSPORTASI DENGAN METODE SAVING MATRIX PADA PG MADUKISMO, YOGYAKARTA

Increasing sugar mill productivity one of them is done by making improving the process of cutting and transportation sugarcane from the land until the sugar mill. PG Madukismo has implemented that sugarcane cutting and hauling pattern to fulfill raw material in the mill however that's not running well because it is still based on the sugarcane cutting schedule of each region, therefore, this study is conducted on based on sugarcane transportation activities. The goal of this study was to determine the optimum transportation route in the process of transporting sugarcane raw materials to PG Madukismo. This study uses saving matrix analysis. Results of this study showing that the vehicles used are 222 and 4 groups of transportation areas to provide a saving distance of 373.9 Km

Partnership between sugar company and small farmer on sugar cane farming in dry climate area of Dompu District, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

Dompu District locates in Province of West Nusa Tenggara that was characterized as dry climate. The climate change also contributed to exacerbating the effect of drought in that area. Sugar cane farming was introduced to this district on 2015 to supply sugar on east of Indonesia. This study aimed to descript the partnership between sugar company and small farmer on dry land sugar cane farming in Dompu District, West Nusa Tenggara Province. This research was conducted by interviewed informants of the officer of sugar cane farmer groups. The result shown that the type of partnership between sugar company and sugar cane farmer was pattern of plasma-nucleus. The sugar company as the nucleus of partnership gave a free technical assistant and sugar cane seed. Sugar cane farmer obligate to manage the farming according to instruction of technical assistant and financed sugar cane farming cost but seed, i.e. cost of worker, fertilizer, pesticide, transportation of sugar cane and cost of tractor rent. Sugar cane farming in dry climate land of Dompu District was able to contribute farmer family income.

Production and use of biogas from vinasse: Implications for the energy balance and GHG emissions of sugar cane ethanol in the brazilian context

Indicators, such as the energy balance (EB) and greenhouse gases emissions avoided (GHGEA), are frequently used to evaluate the benefits and sustainability of biofuels. Many important papers and reports have been published in recent years to demonstrate the environmental and energetic benefits of biofuels, such as ethanol from sugar cane. EB and GHGEA often include other sugar cane products, such as electricity and bagasse. The anaerobic digestion of vinasse can generate considerable amounts of biogas but is not a common practice in Brazil. This study evaluates the potential benefits to the EB and GHGEA of ethanol by the production of biogas from vinasse and its use to produce electricity or biomethane. Biomethane can be injected on the Natural Gas Grid or used as a fossil diesel oil replacement in the mill operations of harvesting and transportation of sugar cane. The results show that biogas from vinasse can represent improvement in both indicators, which ranges from 3.5% improvement in EB by electricity generation with biogas to 27.5% improvement in GHGEA by replacing diesel in the mill operations. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog,39:e13226, 2020

Life cycle assessment of cane sugar production: The environmental contribution to human health, climate change, ecosystem quality and resources in México

The cane sugar industry in Mexico depends heavily on the supply of energy, fossil fuels and material resources for its proper operation. The overuse of these resources plus the technical and technological deficiency causes severe environmental consequences. This scientific work aims to analyze the environmental damage attributable to cane sugar production following the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. System boundaries include sugarcane growing and harvesting, sugarcane transportation, sugar milling and electricity cogeneration from bagasse. The associated emissions were acquired from the SimaPro-Ecoinvent database, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) and the Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station (ART). The life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) was carried out by SimaPro 8.3.0 software and the characterization method used was IMPACT 2002+. The results show that sugarcane growing and harvesting stage provides the most harmful environmental impacts (52%) followed by electricity cogeneration (25.7%), sugarcane transportation (12.1%) and finally, sugar milling (10.2%). Regarding the environmental contributions at the endpoint categories, the highest percentage of impacts is found in the Human health category (53%), followed by Climate change (21%), Ecosystem quality (16%) and Resources (10%). The LCA in cane sugar production can support the decision-making process to deal with this environmental problem.

Sugarcane transportation process modeling by time series approach

Sugarcane is one of the severely perishable crops that is used as raw material for white sugar production. Sucrose content of the sugarcane which is of high commercial value decreases in quality due to pre-harvest burning, high ambient temperature, kill-to-mill delays as well as microbial contaminations. Delays in sugarcane transportation are the most important risks which can affect the quality and quantity of the product. Delay in milling of the harvested sugarcane is caused by various reasons in agro-industry units including factory downtime, breakdowns of tractors in the waiting line at factory, tractor accident in factory yard and staff shift changes creating long queues. In order to reduce delays, the present study attempted to forecast arrival and service level of tractor drawn carts which transfer burned or cut canes from farm to mill. The univariate ARMA models were applied to forecast arrival and service level. The RMSE and MAPE were also used to evaluate precision of our forecast. The results of models demonstrated that ARMA(4,3) and ARMA(4,2) models are suitable for arrival and service level of tractor drawn carts, respectively. The predicted values trend of arrival, and service level truly reflected the actual values of arrival and service level as well as queue system tendency. The values of MSE, RMSE and MAPE that indicate accuracy of the forecasted carts arrival and service level were relatively low. The estimated models can be used to forecast values of arrival and service levels of tractor drawn carts for subsequent hours during harvest season.

Tingkat Hygiene dan Kandungan Escherichia coli pada Air Tebu yang Dijual Sekitar Kota Medan

WHO (World Health Organization) mentions that water quality is biologically determined by the presence of E. coli bacteria. The content of E.Coli bacteria allowed in drinking water is 0 per 100 ml of sample. Sugar cane juice is one of the most E.Coli contaminated beverages. E. coli can cause disease associated with digestion such as diarrhea and including urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, meningitis, peritonitis, and wound infections. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of sanitary hygiene of vendors and environment with Escherichia coli content in sugar cane juice. The research was an analytic research using cross-sectional design approach. The sample of this study was 30 sugar cane vendors around Medan city. Data analysis using Pearson and linear regression test. Measurement aspects were sugar cane processing, transportation, sugar cane storage, sugarcane transportation and serving of sugar cane juice. The results showed a significant relationship between processing (p=0,00), location (p=0,02), transportation (p=0,00) and serving (p=0,00) with the present of E.Coli on sugarcane. It is suggested to the government conducting supervision and educates the sugarcane vendors to prepare their products based on regulation of the District Health Office.

Análise de emissões de gases do efeito estufa em um sistema de transporte de carga

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as emissões de gases provenientes das descargas de caminhões durante o transporte de cana-de-açúcar de fontes produtoras para uma determinada usina. Foram investigados cenários alternativos para a movimentação da carga considerando uma variável de desempenho do sistema, tempo de transporte, e as emissões gasosas produzidas. O método utilizado foi simulação a eventos discretos, cujo modelo computacional foi construído por meio do software livre e de código aberto denominado Ururau. Os resultados mostraram que a decisão quanto à escolha dos veículos em determinadas situações pode reduzir as emissões de gases geradas pela frota. Com isso, foi demonstrada a possibilidade de redução dessas emissões apenas pela introdução de modificações em procedimentos operacionais, sem necessidade de investimentos em novas tecnologias.

沖縄県南北大東島におけるサトウキビの収穫・運搬作業体系の ダウンサイジングに関する研究

沖縄県南北大東島では，サトウキビ収穫機や運搬用トラックが老朽化し代替時期を迎えている．これを契機に大型化した機械化体系を見直すなど，現地では作業機のダウンサイジングも念頭に種々の試みが行われている．筆者らは，南北大東島における効率的かつ持続的な収穫・運搬作業体系モデルを開発・策定することを目的にまず基本的な作業情報を整理し，現行の収穫・運搬作業を組み合わせた主要な作業体系について類型化を行った．その結果，南北大東島では大型収穫機を中心にした1類型，中型収穫機の6類型，小型収穫機の1類型の計8類型に分類された．また，運搬トラックが収穫機の伴走車を兼ねるなど収穫作業と運搬作業が相互に影響し合う類型について，製糖工場での原料受入れデータから実作業量を推定した結果，大型収穫機を中心にした類型で19.1～28.0 a/h，中型収穫機の類型で13.3～15.2 a/hであった．なお，収穫ほ場でのタイムスタディによる作業量の実測値にGPSデータを基にした運搬トラックの稼働状況の解析結果から得られた実作業率を加味しながら実作業量の推定値を検証し，本推定方法が実用上妥当であることを確認した．

Sugarcane Transport of the Modern Sugar Industry in Colonial Taiwan

Sugarcane Transport of the Modern Sugar Industry in Colonial Taiwan

An integrated approach to optimise sugarcane rail operations

In Australia, the railway system plays a vital role in transporting the sugarcane crop from farms to mills. The sugarcane transport system is complex as it routines a daily schedule, which consists of a set of train runs to satisfy the requirements of the mills and harvesters. A constrain programming approach is used to formulate this complicated system. Metaheuristic techniques and constraint programming are hybridised as an efficient solution approach. Thus, a better sugarcane transport scheduling system is achieved to maximise the throughput of sugarcane transport. A numerical investigation is presented and demonstrates that high-quality solutions are obtainable for industry-scale applications in a reasonable time.