30 Oct 2024        11:04:42 am

Biology

Ethanol

Tags : Ethanol

Topic: Biofuels

Why in the news?

• The Centre may increase the price of ethanol for the 2024-25 season and the minimum selling price of sugar, the Union Food Minister said. 
• At the India Sugar and Bio Energy Conference, the Minister said the government had asked the NITI Aayog to prepare a road map for 25% blending of ethanol in petrol over the next few years as the present target of 20% blend is likely to be achieved soon. 
• The price of ethanol, produced from sugar cane juice, had been unchanged at ₹65.61 a litre since 2022-23. The minimum selling price of sugar had been ₹31 a kg since February 2019.

Source: The Hindu 

About Ethanol:

• It is also known as ethyl alcohol, is a biofuel produced from various sources such as sugarcane, corn, rice, wheat, and biomass.
• The production process involves the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration.
• Ethanol is 99.9% pure alcohol that can be blended with petrol to create a cleaner fuel alternative.
• Apart from being a fuel additive, ethanol production yields valuable byproducts like Distillers\' Dried Grain with Solubles, and Potash from Incineration Boiler Ash that find applications across various industries.
• Byproducts of Ethanol Production:
  • Distillers\' Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS):
    • It is a byproduct of grain-based ethanol production.
    • It is the residue left after the starch in grains is fermented and ethanol is extracted.
    • It is a valuable animal feed with high protein content and is used to supplement livestock diets.
  • Potash from Incineration Boiler Ash:
    • It is the ash remaining after Ethanol Production in the boiler.
    • It contains up to 28% potash.
    • It is a rich source of potash and can be utilized as a fertilizer.
• Applications of Ethanol as Fuel:
  • It is used as a renewable and sustainable biofuel alternative to gasoline in the transportation sector.
  • It can be blended with petrol in various proportions, such as E10 (10% ethanol, 90% petrol) and E20 (20% ethanol, 80% petrol).
  • The Indian government has implemented the Ethanol Blending Programme to promote the use of ethanol as a renewable fuel. The program aims to blend ethanol with petrol to reduce the country\'s dependence on imported crude oil, cut carbon emissions, and boost farmers\' incomes.
  • Its blends help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, contributing to cleaner air and mitigating climate change.

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