Chemicals Based Technologies -
Industrial Ethanol from Molasses
Introduction
Indian project consultant offers the
technology to manufacture industrial ethanol from molasses,
a bye-product of sugar industry. It covers by products
like CO2, biogas, powder and ash and also proposes a
zero effluent, complete water recycle and continuous
plant operation throughout the year.
Process
The molasses containing approximately 44% fermentable
sugars are diluted and fermented. The broth, which contains
6-8% ethanol besides 8-9% solids, is subjected to stripping
and rectification columns where the alcohol of 95% purity
is recovered. The stripping column bottom liquid rich
in BOD and COD is treated in biomethanation plant to
obtain biogas. The liquid from biomethanation plant
containing 5% solids is concentrated to 40% in evaporators.
The concentrated mother liquor is dried as powder in
a spray dryer. The CO2 produced is collected and bottled.
The list of major equipment is as follows:
Fermentation yeast vessels
Prefermenters
FermentorsCO2 plant
Stripping and rectification columns
Condensors and beer heater
Plate heat exchangers
Biomethanation plant
5 stage evaporation system
Spray dryer
Areas of Application:
Chemical industry.
The applications of products/bye-products are as follows:
Ethanol :Used as starting
material for manufacture of acetic acid, acetic
anhydride, ethyl acetate, dyes,
etc.
Carbondioxide : Used in beverage
industry
Biogas : as fuel
Powder : as fuel and fertiliser
Powder ash : as fertiliser
Advantages
No pollution problem
Continuous trouble free operation
No storage of waste water needed
Total water recycle
Complete utilisation of resources
Production Capacity:
30 KL/day (Technology for higher capacity plants
can also be provided)
Transfer Forms Technology transfer,
know-how
For More Information, Contact:
Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer
of Technology
P O Box 4575
Qutab Institutional Area
New Delhi - 110 016, India
Tel : +91-(0)11-6856276
Fax : +91-(0)11-6856274
Email: rvijh@apctt.org
