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Area and production under sugarcane in Andhra Pradesh was decreasing continuously since 2014-15. Sugarcane farmers belonged to North Coastal Zone (NCZ) are linked with sugarcane industries, operating under organized cooperative and private sectors nearer to rural areas. Sugarcane industries are facing problems from both industry and farmer side. Out of total 12 factories located in North Coastal Zone, only five sugar mills are operating. To explore the ground for declining trend in sugarcane cultivation, the present survey was taken up with the specific objective to determine the constraints encountered by the cane growers and sugar factories. Probability proportionate sampling procedure was adopted for selection of respondents. Response Priority Index (RPI) was employed to quantify the constraints. Results reveal that Labour shortage (RPI = 0.89) and higher production cost (RPI = 0.93) were major constraints encountered by the sugarcane cultivators and factories respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, energy and exergy analysis of a 16 MW cogeneration plant of a sugar factory located in India is carried out. Bagasse leaving the mills with 50% moisture is fed directly into the boiler as fuel. Maximum energy loss (23.021%) as well as maximum exergy destruction (68.219%) is found in the boiler furnace. The fuel moisture alone accounts for 11.89% energy loss due to the absorption of huge portion of combustion heat for its vapourization. Therefore, the effect of reducing bagasse moisture content on this analysis is examined through computer simulation. Reducing moisture content of bagasse from 50% to nil would increase the power output, the cogeneration energy efficiency and the cogeneration exergy efficiency by 3597 kW, 3.66% and 3.02% respectively. It is also found that 6.342% of fuel energy is lost through the exhaust gases. To utilize a portion of this waste heat, a vapour absorption refrigeration system is integrated with the considered plant. It is found that the proposed cooling system would produce a refrigerating effect of 594.714 TR with a COP of 0.721 and can, therefore, be used for preserving large quantities of vegetables in a cold storage. • Maximum energy loss as well as maximum exergy destruction occurs in boiler furnace. • Power and efficiencies improve significantly by reducing bagasse moisture to nil. • Reducing bagasse moisture will also reduce exergy destruction in boiler furnace. • Suitable means to dry bagasse before feeding it into the boiler may be adopted. • Utilization of exhaust heat for cooling purpose in cold storage is also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental audit is a very effective management tool, which is designed and conducted to provide information on practices which differ to the current procedures and to exercise effective management of the established system. The sugar industry plays a very important role in India's national economy. As all stages of sugar production are water intensive and discharging wastewater containing high level of oil, suspended solids, organic matter and chemicals and therefore the sugar industry is one of the most water polluting industries. Therefore conducting 'Environmental Audit' in a sugar factory is no longer an option but a sound precaution and a proactive measure in today's heavily regulated environment. Careful and watchful audit offer prospects for improvement, perfection and achievement of goals. The audit is carried out in four steps and the final report is prepared and suggestions are given. This paper reviews on Environmental Audit programme in a sugar factory of Kolhapur district of Maharashtra (India). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]