Division of process: Fermentation, distillation and blending
Utilizes the molasses which is a by product of the sugar manufacturing process. The molasses feeds the fermentation
process to produce ethanol
Fermentation converts the sugar in the molasses to ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Ethanol removed from the fermentation mixture by fractional distillation while carbon dioxide is captured and processed
Distillation requires large amounts of heat and produces huge amounts of liquid waste rich in organic matter called
stillage or vinasse (molasses, yeast, some alcohol if not efficient, caustic). Improper disposal can cause eutrophication
and unpleasant odors.
Biomethanization plant works to solve this problem by converting the vinasse into biogas which is rich in methane and
other combustible gases. The vinasse with reduced organic load can now be utilized as organic fertilizer.
-Biogas is used to fire the boilers to supply steam for distillation
The captured CO2 is processed to remove any entrained alcohol and organic compound leaving pure CO2 gas. The
purified CO2 gas is cooled and liquified and stored for further use.
-in carbonated drinks
-manufacturing dry ice as a cooling agent
-inert gas in metal inert gas welding process
-To refill fire extinguishers
Assess sustainability issues outlines by the design in case study (cost-inefficient vs efficient, performance, resource-
inefficient vs efficient, waste minimization and utilization, level of social responsibility
High cost to introduce new technology and infrastructure
Lack of in-house skills
o Company had to invest in training staff to manage and maintain the equipment and processes
Identify the types of material utilized in the product or infrastructure design in case study (renewable, non-
renewable, organic, inorganic-ceramic, metallic, non-metallic and composites)
Sugar cane
Materials for the biomethanization plant, distillery and still
Perform calculations relevant to process (energy, material properties including strength, thermal properties, acoustic
and light loading)
Not applicable
Justify choice of materials (affordability, availability, accessibility, reusability, utility, environmental soundness, social
acceptability)
List the type(s) and form(s) of energy utilized in the product or infrastructure design in case study (renewable, non-
renewable)
Renewable (biogas) and Non-renewable (fossil fuel)
Investigate the related principles and processes relevant to case study (For example, measuring voltage and current
from a small solar panel at different times of the day; generation of biogas using different substrates; testing the
properties of the materials)
Justify the selection of the type and form of energy used in the product or infrastructure design in case studies
(Affordability, availability, accessibility, reusability, utility, impact on the health of the environment, social
acceptability)
Indicate the specific guidelines/ standards and principles followed in the product or infrastructure design in case
studies (ISO 9000, ISO 14000, ISO 26000, Principles of Green Engineering and Industrial Ecology)
Prevention instead of treatment
o Capturing the vinasse to be converted to biogas. Vinasses can cause environmental issues such as
eutrophication
o Capturing CO2 and using it for other products: carbonated beverages, as the inert gas in the metal inert
gas welding process and also to refill fire extinguishers
Maximize efficiency
o By-product (molasses) of sugar production used to produce alcohol
o Capturing CO2 and using it for other products: carbonated beverages, as the inert gas in the metal inert
gas welding process and also to refill fire extinguishers
o Merging distillery
Integrate material and energy flow
o By-product (molasses) of sugar production used to produce alcohol
o Capturing CO2 and using it for other products: carbonated beverages, as the inert gas in the metal inert
gas welding process and also to refill fire extinguishers
Renewable rather than depleting
o The use of biogas from the biomethanization plant. This is used to fire the boiler to supply steam for
distillation. Supplies 70% of fuel utilized by distillery.
Create industrial ecosystems
o By-product (molasses) of sugar production used to produce alcohol
o Capturing CO2 and using it for other products: carbonated beverages, as the inert gas in the metal inert
gas welding process and also to refill fire extinguishers
Dematerialization of industrial output
o By-product (molasses) of sugar production used to produce alcohol
o Capturing CO2 and using it for other products: carbonated beverages, as the inert gas in the metal inert
gas welding process and also to refill fire extinguishers
Improve efficiency of industrial processes
o By-product (molasses) of sugar production used to produce alcohol
o Capturing CO2 and using it for other products: carbonated beverages, as the inert gas in the metal inert
gas welding process and also to refill fire extinguishers
Energy use
o The use of biogas from the biomethanization plant. This is used to fire the boiler to supply steam for
distillation. Supplies 70% of fuel utilized by distillery.
Inherent rather than circumstantial
o The use of the biomethanization plant to covert vinasse which can have negative impacts on our
waterways into biogas. This reduces the organic load.
o Reduction in carbon output by cpaturing it.
o Renewable input of biogas to fuel the boilers.
Identify the specific legislation that enables or constrains the commercialization of the product or infrastructure in
case studies (ASHRAE and any existing national legislation)
