A SUGAR INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE & ETHANOL PRODUCTION India is the largest producer of sugar in the world. In terms of sugarcane production, India and Brazil are almost equally placed. In Brazil, out of the total cane available for crushing, 45% goes for sugar production and 55% for the production of ethanol directly from sugarcane juice. This gives the sugar industry in Brazil an additional flexibility to adjust its sugar production keeping in view the sugar price in the international market as nearly 40% of the sugar output is exported. The annual projected growth rate in the area under sugarcane at 1.5% per annum has doubled during the last five years. This is because it is considered to be an assured cash crop with good returns to the farmers vis-a-vis other competing crops. India is currently passing through a glut situation with closing stocks at the end of the year of over 100 lakh tons since 1999-2000. Correspondingly, molasses production has also increased. The table below gives the production of molasses, alcohol utilization by the alcohol-based chemical industry, potable sector and the surplus at the end of each year. It is therefore evident that along with sugarcane production, phenomenal growth is also taking place in the production of molasses, the basic raw material for the production of ethanol from sugarcane. Of course, there are also other agro routes available to produce ethanol. According to MPNG, 5% ethanol blends on an all-India basis would require 500 million liters. The current availability of molasses and alcohol would be adequate to meet this requirement after fully meeting the requirement of the chemical industry and potable sectors. AVAILABILITY In the absence of a well knit policy in the past for purchasing and blending ethanol, not many distilleries have been producing ethanol. Only three distilleries attached to sugar mills had war years’ experience, and were able to gear themselves up to supply ethanol immediately. Now, about 11 factories in Uttar Pradesh will be adding facilities to produce about 75 million liters of anhydrous alcohol by end-September; 7 units in Tamil Nadu (production capacity of 62.5 million liters of anhydrous alcohol); 8 in Karnataka (anhydrous alcohol production capacity of 66.5 million liters); and 4 units in Andhra Pradesh (capacity of over 40 million liters). Similar steps have also be taken up by the cooperative sector units in Maharashtra, Punjab and UP. By the end of the year it is estimated that about 300 million liters capacity would have been created for the production of anhydrous alcohol. As capacities are built up, the oil sector should also be able to generate that much demand for ethanol to guard against any idling capacity. The Petroleum Ministry may therefore like to look into this matter and ensure that the oil sector speeds up the creation of requisite facilities for blending ethanol with petrol. So far generation of demand for ethanol has been very low and it takes considerable time for IOC’s units to finalize purchase of ethanol against offers made by distilleries in response to their tenders. In the Indian Sugar Mill Association, this matter was recently examined and it was concluded that instead of taking up the scheme on a state-wise basis, it would be appropriate to take it up in metropolitan and other cities where environmental pollution is a major concern. The blending should be taken up to 10% and introduced selectively to make a better impact on the environment, as no changes in the engine or carburetor are required, and other countries are already carrying this out successfully. COST There is considerable scope for further reduction in the cost of production of both sugarcane and sugar in India with liberalization of controls on the sugar industry. Consolidation of land holdings and corporate farming on the raw material side and expansion of capacity on the unit size are important developments and would lead to substantial improvements in productivity, thereby rendering India a cost-effective producer of sugar in the world. The area under sugarcane is presently less than 2% of total cultivable area in the country and about 3% of the irrigated area. There is considerable scope for increasing the area under sugarcane considering the fact that it is more profitable compared to other crops. The Planning Commission has visualized a conservative increase in area under sugarcane by 6 lakh hectares during the 10th Plan period, but considering past trends, the area under cane is likely to exceed 5 million hectares (see table). During the 10th Plan period, the annual incremental growth in consumption has been estimated at 9 lakh tons per annum. For the first time the Indian Government has fixed a target of 15 lakh tons per annum for export for this period. However, the production target was fixed at 21.3 million tons keeping in view the large carry forward stocks at the beginning of the period and to correct the demand-supply distortions presently caused. These targets are achievable looking at the performance of the industry in the past with a production of 18.5 million tons achieved in 2000-01. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the sugar industry will not be lacking in meeting the requirement of ethanol. In a market economy, there would be a considerable shift from the gur and khandsari sectors which are inefficient producers with poor quality. In the current scenario of glut in sugar production, it may be advisable to divert such additional cane for the production of alcohol after meeting the sweetener requirement. The additional availability of alcohol on the assumption that the entire cane is utilized for the production of sweeteners will be about 200 million liters over and above that indicated in the table. Alternatively, if additional cane available is utilized for the production of alcohol to bring in a balance in the demand and supply of sugar, the alcohoI production at the end of the 10th Plan would be around 1,485 million liters. Such a flexibility has become very relevant in the current scenario of economy liberalization and more particularly as a means to correct the aberrations in sugar production.
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Sunday, June 11, 2006
A SUGAR INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE & ETHANOL PRODUCTION
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
ALFA LAVAL INDIA:Sinsurang Distillery(THAILAND )ready for commercial production
Sinsurang Distillery ready for commercial production
Thanks to the exemplary team effort by our commissioning team of Javaji Prasad, Umesh Lakhdive, Jaysingh Parade and CG Londhe and the co operation extended by Alfa Laval Thailand team, for making it possible to hand over a 30 KLPD distillery in Thailand for commercial production. The customer was satisfied as the plant could meet all the guaranteed performance parameters
The customer is Sinsurang Liquor Company at Thailand. The distillery will produce of 30,000 liters of potable alcohol per day from sugar cane molasses. The plant is completely automated Fermentation and Distillation plant. The Distillation is a Multi-Pressure 6 column distillation system to produce fine grade of Extra Neutral alcohol for liquor manufacturing.
Though Alfa Laval India had earlier completed Ethanol dehydration plants in Thailand, this is the first distillery project commissioned on Turnkey basis.
........Source Alfa Laval India
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
WHAT IS FUEL ETHANOL !!
WHAT IS FUEL ETHANOL
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ETOH) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning taste. Ethanol, CH3CH2OH, is an alcohol, a group of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, -OH, bonded to a carbon atom. The word alcohol derives from Arabic al-kuhul, which denotes a fine powder of antimony produced by distilling antimony and used as an eye makeup. Alcohol originally referred to any fine powder, but medieval alchemists later applied the term to the refined products of distillation, and this led to the current usage.
Ethanol melts at -114.1°C, boils at 78.5°C, and has a density of 0.789 g/mL at 20°C. Its low freezing point has made it useful as the fluid in thermometers for temperatures below -40°C, the freezing point of mercury, and for other low-temperature purposes, such as for antifreeze in automobile radiators.
Ethanol has been made since ancient times by the fermentation of sugars. All beverage ethanol and more than half of industrial ethanol is still made by this process. Simple sugars are the raw material. Zymase, an enzyme from yeast, changes the simple sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The fermentation reaction, represented by the simple equation C6H12O6 2 CH3CH2OH + 2 CO2 is actually very complex, and impure cultures of yeast produce varying amounts of other substances, including glycerine and various organic acids. In the production of beverages, such as whiskey and brandy, the impurities supply the flavor. Starches from potatoes, corn, wheat, and other plants can also be used in the production of ethanol by fermentation. However, the starches must first be broken down into simple sugars. An enzyme released by germinating barley, diastase, converts starches into sugars. Thus, the germination of barley, called malting, is the first step in brewing beer from starchy plants, such as corn and wheat.
ETHANOL AS A FUEL
Ethanol is used as an automotive fuel by itself and can be mixed with gasoline to form what has been called "gasohol" FUEL ETHANOL- the most common blends contain 10% ethanol and 85% ethanol mixed with gasoline. Over 1 billion gallons of ethanol are blended with gasoline every year in the United States. Because the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered a renewable fuel. Therefore, ethanol has many advantages as an automotive fuel.
Most industrial ethanol is denatured to prevent its use as a beverage. Denatured ethanol contains small amounts, 1 or 2 percent each, of several different unpleasant or poisonous substances. The removal of all these substances would involve a series of treatments more expensive than the federal excise tax on alcoholic beverages (currently about $20 per gallon). These denaturants render ethanol unfit for some industrial uses. In such industries undenatured ethanol is used under close federal supervision.
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ETOH) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning taste. Ethanol, CH3CH2OH, is an alcohol, a group of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, -OH, bonded to a carbon atom. The word alcohol derives from Arabic al-kuhul, which denotes a fine powder of antimony produced by distilling antimony and used as an eye makeup. Alcohol originally referred to any fine powder, but medieval alchemists later applied the term to the refined products of distillation, and this led to the current usage.
Ethanol melts at -114.1°C, boils at 78.5°C, and has a density of 0.789 g/mL at 20°C. Its low freezing point has made it useful as the fluid in thermometers for temperatures below -40°C, the freezing point of mercury, and for other low-temperature purposes, such as for antifreeze in automobile radiators.
Ethanol has been made since ancient times by the fermentation of sugars. All beverage ethanol and more than half of industrial ethanol is still made by this process. Simple sugars are the raw material. Zymase, an enzyme from yeast, changes the simple sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The fermentation reaction, represented by the simple equation C6H12O6 2 CH3CH2OH + 2 CO2 is actually very complex, and impure cultures of yeast produce varying amounts of other substances, including glycerine and various organic acids. In the production of beverages, such as whiskey and brandy, the impurities supply the flavor. Starches from potatoes, corn, wheat, and other plants can also be used in the production of ethanol by fermentation. However, the starches must first be broken down into simple sugars. An enzyme released by germinating barley, diastase, converts starches into sugars. Thus, the germination of barley, called malting, is the first step in brewing beer from starchy plants, such as corn and wheat.
ETHANOL AS A FUEL
Ethanol is used as an automotive fuel by itself and can be mixed with gasoline to form what has been called "gasohol" FUEL ETHANOL- the most common blends contain 10% ethanol and 85% ethanol mixed with gasoline. Over 1 billion gallons of ethanol are blended with gasoline every year in the United States. Because the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered a renewable fuel. Therefore, ethanol has many advantages as an automotive fuel.
Most industrial ethanol is denatured to prevent its use as a beverage. Denatured ethanol contains small amounts, 1 or 2 percent each, of several different unpleasant or poisonous substances. The removal of all these substances would involve a series of treatments more expensive than the federal excise tax on alcoholic beverages (currently about $20 per gallon). These denaturants render ethanol unfit for some industrial uses. In such industries undenatured ethanol is used under close federal supervision.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
It’s Time To Celebrate For Ethanol Manufacturers !!
It’s Time To Celebrate For Ethanol Manufacturers
After a long wait, the change in Petroleum Ministry chair has brought a good news to celebrate for ethanol manufacturers in India. It is said that the center would shortly issue a notification making ethanol blending mandatory from October 2006. The new norms would apply to both public sector as well as private sector players. Initially a 5% blend would be allowed and implemented successfully & this would be increased to 10% by October 2007.
We believe, only resolution would not solve the objective, but a close micro-level monitoring & closing of all escape routes for not blending ethanol by oil corporations should be checked. A tax incentive to the program at this stage would definitely “make the oil corporations blend ethanol out of goodwill”.
Secondly it is seen that price disputes between ethanol suppliers and oil corporations remain the core problem area. Meetings are being conducted between ISMA (Indian Sugar Mill Association) and Ethanol Manufacturers Association officials to derive certain formula for price fixing. As current prices of ethanol offered by oil corporations is Rs. 18.75 is very less as the process of Special Denaturant Spirit (94.68% alcohol) is fetching a price around Rs. 21.00 to 21.50 (May 2006) itself. Hence the sugar factories are more happy to sell 94.68 % alcohol (SDS) than to convert it to ethanol and sell it at a lower price.
The ethanol manufacturers should come out with a parameter and memorandum to establish and assure an uninterrupted supply (lot work to do).
At the current situation the Northern part of India has stated blending not in full fledged. But Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat & the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu are yet to restart full fledge. Only one manufacturer XL Telecom ltd (Ethanol Division) has courageously come forward to supply at the rate of Rs. 18.75.
On the other hand India has a lot potential for flexible fuel vehicles. As it is shows that by 2010 it is estimated that India will have 36 times more cars than it did in 1990. (Watch out China! USA?).
While some news has emerged of Indian companies in Private sector to develop ethanol in large scale plants from non-molasses routes in rural parts of India.
Reliance Industries Limited is planning to set up an ethanol extraction plant at Kurkumbh. Farmers should celebrate as then can afford to give a sound rate to their sugarcane. The ethanol manufacturers should not worry as ethanol they proposed to produce will be consumed for their mono-ethylene glycol unit itself & will not be using for petrol blending. (Get in touch with Business Brains for exact statistics of future demand and supply.)
To conclude , it’s bright future for ethanol & the black period is over. Only request to the government is to be fixed with the resolution of making ethanol mandatory & monitor the successful running of the ethanol programme.
* Brief from Asia’s highest rated web portal on ethanol www.ethanolindia.net
After a long wait, the change in Petroleum Ministry chair has brought a good news to celebrate for ethanol manufacturers in India. It is said that the center would shortly issue a notification making ethanol blending mandatory from October 2006. The new norms would apply to both public sector as well as private sector players. Initially a 5% blend would be allowed and implemented successfully & this would be increased to 10% by October 2007.
We believe, only resolution would not solve the objective, but a close micro-level monitoring & closing of all escape routes for not blending ethanol by oil corporations should be checked. A tax incentive to the program at this stage would definitely “make the oil corporations blend ethanol out of goodwill”.
Secondly it is seen that price disputes between ethanol suppliers and oil corporations remain the core problem area. Meetings are being conducted between ISMA (Indian Sugar Mill Association) and Ethanol Manufacturers Association officials to derive certain formula for price fixing. As current prices of ethanol offered by oil corporations is Rs. 18.75 is very less as the process of Special Denaturant Spirit (94.68% alcohol) is fetching a price around Rs. 21.00 to 21.50 (May 2006) itself. Hence the sugar factories are more happy to sell 94.68 % alcohol (SDS) than to convert it to ethanol and sell it at a lower price.
The ethanol manufacturers should come out with a parameter and memorandum to establish and assure an uninterrupted supply (lot work to do).
At the current situation the Northern part of India has stated blending not in full fledged. But Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat & the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu are yet to restart full fledge. Only one manufacturer XL Telecom ltd (Ethanol Division) has courageously come forward to supply at the rate of Rs. 18.75.
On the other hand India has a lot potential for flexible fuel vehicles. As it is shows that by 2010 it is estimated that India will have 36 times more cars than it did in 1990. (Watch out China! USA?).
While some news has emerged of Indian companies in Private sector to develop ethanol in large scale plants from non-molasses routes in rural parts of India.
Reliance Industries Limited is planning to set up an ethanol extraction plant at Kurkumbh. Farmers should celebrate as then can afford to give a sound rate to their sugarcane. The ethanol manufacturers should not worry as ethanol they proposed to produce will be consumed for their mono-ethylene glycol unit itself & will not be using for petrol blending. (Get in touch with Business Brains for exact statistics of future demand and supply.)
To conclude , it’s bright future for ethanol & the black period is over. Only request to the government is to be fixed with the resolution of making ethanol mandatory & monitor the successful running of the ethanol programme.
* Brief from Asia’s highest rated web portal on ethanol www.ethanolindia.net
Monday, May 08, 2006
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