THE

ETHANOL
INDUSTRY

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Biomass Handling
Biomass Pretreatment
Enzyme Production
Cellulose Hydrolysis
Glucose Fermentation
Pentose Fermentation
Ethanol Recovery
Lignin Utilization

PRODUCTION PROCESS

LOCATION OF INDUSTRY

FACTORS AFFECTING LOCATION

OF ETHANOL INDUSTRY

Source of Raw materials

Source of power
Transport facilities
Water resources
Climate

SOURCES OF RAW
MATERIALS
Corn
Sugar cane
Sugar beets
Industries

should be near
or in a farm land for ready
availabillty of raw
materials.

SOURCE OF
POWER
The cheapest and most
efficient source of
power would
behydroelectric
powersince the plant
would be situated near
an active water way.
(power is needed to
generate steam)

TRANSPORT
FACILITIES

TRANSPORT
FACILITIES
Pipelines are used to transport
the ethanol around the factory
during production.
The appropriate mode of
transport would be that of
railways and by air for export.
most capital would be towards
air, for handling and storage as
well as the cost of insurance.

WATER
RESOURCES
The water resources of a
region, conceived as a
dynamic phase of the
hydrologic cycle, are
influenced by the following 3
major groups of factors:
-climate
-rainfall
-snow
-evapo-transpiration
-physiological drainage
-geological rivers

USES OF ETHANOL

Fuel
Solvent
Feedstock
Antiseptic
Cosmetic Products
Treatment for poisoning

FUEL

FUEL

Ethanol is used in many different products ranging from

perfumes to explosives. The most popular use of ethanol alone
is in the automotive fuel industry. Ethanol is extensively used as
a fuel additive but the use of ethanol alone as a fuel or as part
of a mix with gasoline is not as common. Ethanol is mixed with
gasoline as an octane enhancer since its octane rating is higher
than ordinary gasoline. It burns more cleanly than gasoline or
diesel since the molecules contain oxygen which brings about
more complete combustion. Thus carbon monoxide emissions
can be 80-90% lower when ethanol is burnt compared to
gasoline. However, ethanol has 37% less energy per litre than
gasoline. It is also degrading to some plastic and rubber parts of
engines designed to use gasoline. Thus corrosion-resistant
materials and engine modification are required to overcome
these problems. Ethanol is also utilized as a rocket fuel and is
placed in lightweight rocket-powered racing aircraft.

SOLVENT

SOLVENT

Ethanol is miscible with water and is a good general purpose solvent. It

is found in paints, tinctures, markers, and personal care products such as
perfumes and deodorants. It may also be used as a solvent in cooking,
such as in vodka sauce.
Alcoholic beverages vary considerably in ethanol content and in
foodstuffs they are produced from. Most alcoholic beverages can be
broadly classified as
Fermented beverages-These are beverages made by the action of yeast
on sugary foodstuffs, eg beer , wine and ciders.
Distilled beverages- distillation is carried out to concentrate the ethanol
in fermented beverages, e.g. gin, whisky, vodka, rum, and brandy.
Alcoholic beverages used in cooking, not only do they add flavour, the
alcohol would dissolve hydrophobic flavor compounds, which water
cannot. They are also used in many social and even religious events.
Politicians, entertainers, athletes and other public figures are seen using
alcoholic beverages. However, drinking alcohol in excess has become one
of societys most serious problems.

FEEDSTOCK AND
ANTISEPTIC

FEEDSTOCK AND ANTISEPTIC

The ethanol is also used in some liquid

animal feed products as an energy source.
Pharmaceutical Products- Ethanol is often
used as an antiseptic, to disinfect the skin
before injections are given. Medical wipes ,
hand sanitizers gels and other cleaning
products contain ethanol. Ethanol is used as
a biocide but also as solvent in the
production of medicines such as antibiotics,
vitamins, tablets, pills, vaccines and syrups.

TREATMENT FOR POISONING

Ethanol is sometimes used to treat poisoning

by other, more toxic alcohols, in particular
methanol and ethylene glycol. Ethanol
competes with other alcohols for the alcohol
dehydrogenate enzyme, lessening
metabolism into toxic aldehyde and
carboxylic acid derivatives, and reducing one
of the more serious toxic effects of the
glycols, their tendency to crystallize in the
kidneys.

SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC IMPACT
OF ETHANOL

IMPACT OF THE ALCOHOL

INDUSTRY

Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused

drugs. Business and government spend more
money than is generated from sales of alcoholic
beverages to address the abuse of alcohol
consumption in society
The effects of alcohol can contribute to work
related problems such as excessive absence and
poor performance on the job. Alcohol is
associated with most crime. It is linked to
murders, rapes, assaults and domestic violence.
Many fatal accidents such as fire deaths, traffic
accidents and drowning are associated with
alcohol.

IMPACT OF THE ALCOHOL

INDUSTRY

Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects the central

nervous system. Temporary effects of alcohol are
relaxation, loss of inhibition, slower reflexes and
impaired coordination.
Permanent affects are cirrhosis of the liver, heart
diseases, cancer or gastrointestinal problems and
addiction. About 0.5% alcohol in the blood is toxic and
when combined with medication or other drugs can
result in death. Alcohol kills brain cells and may cause
memory loss.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy may result in
birth defects such as facial abnormalities, heart
defects, abnormal limb development and brain damage
which results in less than average intelligence.

ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS
Pollution

IMPACT OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY ON

THE ENVIRONMENT

Negative Aspects
Ethanol

production contributes to indirectdeforestationas

there is the clearing of land for cultivation of crops e.gsugar
caneand corn.
In developed countries, ethanol refineries eg. USA. are
guilty of emitting thousands of tons of pollution every year,
including nitrogen dioxide, one of the key elements of smog.
Transport-

During the transport of vast quantities of ethanol

between processing plants and gas stations, accidents are
likely to occur, which may be resulting in spillage where it
may enter nearby rivers. Other ethanol related accidents
may have far more damaging environmental consequences.

IMPACT OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY ON

THE ENVIRONMENT

Negative Aspect Contd

4. The presence of an ethanol plant in an area where

persons reside also raises concern ofground water
protection, the deteriorating air quality,(emissions from
the plant).

IMPACT OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY ON

THE ENVIRONMENT

Positive Aspects

1. In most developed countries, large quantities of ethanol are

produced, to be used as biodiesel.
This encourages a greater scale of land cultivation as the ethanol
is produced by fermentation of sugars where corn, beet and
sugar cane are cultivated and processed to these sugars.

2. With the advancement of the ethanol industry it allows for the

use ofalternative fuel sourceswhich in turn benefits the
environment as it reduces the build up ofgreenhouse gases.
Promoting a cleaner environment.

IMPACT OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY ON

THE ENVIRONMENT

Positive Aspect Contd

3. The growing demands for gasoline and environmental

concerns have led to increased interest in ethanol as a
fuel.
Ethanol burns more cleanly than gasoline/diesel since
ethanol molecules contain oxygen which bring about
more complete combustion. Thuscarbon monoxide
emissionscan be 80-90% lower when ethanol is burnt
compared to gasolene.

SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE
ETHANOL
INDUSTRY

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Workplace safety is always important, and ethanol can be

moderately to extremely dangerous in several ways. Some safety

measures taken when it comes to handling ethanol are:
Workers must wear clothes that covers most of the skin, and wear
goggles, gloves, and a surgical mask to prevent fumes from entering
the bloodstream through any porous membrane (like the
tongue),through the eyes or through the respiratory system.
Workers must not consume the amount of ethanol that are
produced.
Workers must take caution when working with sulfuric acid. Sulfuric
acid is dangerous in MANY ways. Skin contact, ingestion, and
inhalation, can at best be irritating, and at worst fatal. Make sure to
wear 'impervious' material when handling sulfuric acid, such as thick
rubber. If acid contacts clothing, remove clothing and flush skin
constantly with water for 15 minutes.
Ethanol still must be tightly sealed as fumes may leak out and cause
an ignition when in contact with the heat source.

ANIMATION OF PRODUCTION
PROCESS