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Figure 2.8 Bulk densities of whole-cane
Table 2.3
Bulk density of cane supply
Product EM Bulk Density
% t/m 3
Burnt Cane 6 380
Green Cane 12 340
Whole-Cane 25 200
Shredded Trash and cane 25 240
Mallee System
As a bulk material, the biomass must flow as well as possible. This means minimising the proportion
of long pieces such as twigs, sticks, and the long slivers that can be produced from larger wood
sections (Mattsson and Kofman, 2002). Wood chipping is seen as the most suitable method of
comminution as it produces a flowable material with an acceptable level of whole twigs and small
sticks (Giles and Harris, 2003).
There is limited data on the bulk density of product from the mallee harvester as it has undergone
limited infield trials. However, densities of about 400kg/m 3 have been measured in 10 tonne body
trucks after transport. However, it is likely that this product was compacted during transport.
Mallee biomass loaded into conventional chip trucks has seen full mass loads achieved when loaded
by a chipper (see Figure 2.9) which indicates load densities of over 350 kg/m 3 .
Figure 2.9 Loading a chip truck with mallee biomass using a roadside chipper
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