CANE SUGAR. 



The base of the kiln is conical so as to allow the lime to gravitate towards the 

 doors, I, of which there are eight provided for the removal of the burnt lime. 

 The limestone, or mixture of limestone and fuel, is introduced into the kiln at 

 the top, which is kept closed by the cone, k. A charge being dumped on to 

 the cone from the waggon, h, the cone is lowered by moving the lever, m, and 

 distributes the charge evenly in the kiln. At / tubes are let into the wall to 

 allow of the process being watched. These tubes are provided with shutters 

 so as to regulate the supply of air. At a are the hearths on which the fuel is 

 burned, the products of combustion passing by way of c up through the kiln ; 

 three or four hearths are usually provided. The products of combustion pass 

 by tubes to the chamber I, whence they are aspirated by a pump to the gas 



FIG. 150. 



washer, and eventually to the carbonating tanks. The lime and fuel (where 

 the two are mixed) are raised to the platform at the top of the kiln by a 

 pulley hoist, and in very large installations by a hydraulic lift. 



A very complete study of the lime kiln has been made by Gallois, from 

 whose researches the following notes are taken. The investigation, of course, 

 refers to beet sugar manufacture, but as the amount of lime used is the same 

 per ton of cane or beet, his results are applicable to the cane sugar industry. 

 Gallois' figures are expressed in the metric system, and these have been 

 converted by the writer to English units. 



A lime kiln for short flame burning without hearths should have a 

 capacity of 14 cubic feet per ton of cane per 24 hours. For the decomposition 



268 



