Sustainable agriculture through Sugar & distillery wastes

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THROUGH SUGAR AND DISTILLERY WASTE
S.RAVI,Chemist,
The Amaravathi Coop Sugar Mills Ltd,
Krishnapuram, Udumalpet TK,Coimbatore – Dt.
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture is culturally appropriate agriculture and it is an alternate to the
conventional agriculture. In a conventional agriculture non renewable resources such as
chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used excessively and it is harmful to the soil and
human being. It has resulted imbalance in soil fertility and reduced the soil biota while it
has increased the productivity. In a modern scientific world, distillery treated effluent has
been used as organic manure in a appropriate manner guided by the universities, Pollution
Control Boards. This article reveals the methodologies for the treatment of spent wash and
disposal techniques. Abundant nutrients available from this treated spent wash is being
utilized for the crops on either dry land or wet land. This kind of application of spent wash
is an alternate to the conventional type of fertilizers. One time land application – liquid
manure and bio-compost produced with spent wash and sugar mill press mud. Advancement in
spentwash management and biocomposting has made easier way to substitute organic manure.
Key words: Sustainable agriculture – Environmental protection – Spent wash – One time land
application – Bio-composting
Introduction:
Sugar and its allied industries is one of the major manpower pool employed for regenerating
the economic resources in villages. In highly populated countries like India, Agriculture is
the major cash crop cultivated and billions of peoples are benefited either directly or
indirectly. Sugar cane cultivated from the agriculture is a major resource is widely used for
producing varieties of chemicals which are basic needs of the public. In sugar industry, sugar
industrial complexes are manufacturing sugar, power, alcohol, acetic acid, bio-compost, biofertilizers,
paper and various alcohol based chemicals. Wastes from all the units are playing
vital role in sustainable agriculture. Generally all the industrial wastes are considered as
the effluent of the mills is highly polluting the environment. While sugar complex wastes are
the major boon to the agriculture is recycled and maintain the sustainability. The recycling
technologies adopted in the industries and in the land are discussed in detail and shared with
highly honorable delegates.
Sustainable development by Sugar Industry:
In India about 500 sugar mills are established and crushing sugar cane and producing billions
of tons of sugar, molasses, power and alcohol from distillery. During the crushing of sugar
cane molasses, bagasse & press mud, available as bye-products. These products are directly
helping the sustainable agriculture which release the eco-friendly products. Now a days,
organic farming is practiced to produce eco-friendly food products. In organic farming,
farmers are spending huge cost for fertilizers and pesticides. While the sugar and its allied
ancillary units are discharging valuable wastes that can be utilized as fertilizers and soil
conditioners. When we use this kind of fertilizers and pesticides we are saving the earth and
helps the soil health. In almost all Indian soil the humus content is very less and its needs
the farm yard manure and other organic inputs. The sugar industries are producing the biocompost
with the distillery wastes, Trash compost can be used as organic manure alternative to
chemical fertilizers. With this way sugar industry helps the sustainable agriculture by
supplying input to the soil.
Bye-products of Sugar Industry:
In our country sugar industries playing vital role in generating the economics and sweeten the
farmers wealth. In addition to the sugar, other bye-products like molasses, bagasse and press
mud are also produced from sugar cane. Among these , molasses is the major and serves as a
raw material for production of alcohol. Bagasse and press mud are used for paper, power and
bio-compost.
Bagasse : Bagasse is a fibrous residue left after extraction of sugarcane juice. The quantity
of bagasse depends upon the fibre content which varies from 33 to 36 percent in northern
India and 26 to 30 percent in southern India(Gaur et al 2002). This bagasse contains 48 %
moisture, 48.5 % fibre, 3% sugar and other constituents 2 %. The average composition of dry
bagasse contains cellulose 45%, Lignin 20%, Pentosans 28%, Ash 2 % and sugar 2%. Bagasse ash
is rich in silica, potassium and iron(Table 1 ).
Table 1. Composition of Bagasse:
S.No Parameters Contents %
1. Fibre 48.5 %
2. Water 48.0 %
3. Sugar 3.00 %
4. Minor Constituents 0.5 %
5. Cellulose 45.0 %
6. Pentosans 24.0%
7. Lignin 20.0 %
This bagasse used as fuel in sugar factories, raw material for preparing pulp for paper
industries and non-conventional fuel for producing power. Bagasse contains 21% pentosans can
yield 17% furfural on dry weight basis and it also can be composted with other organic
residues. The average nutrients contents of the bagasse :Nitrogen 1.4 %; 0.4 % P2 O5.
Pressmud : Pressmud is a another bye-product in sugar industry and it is amajor substuite as
organic manure. 3 % of the total cane crushed is available as pressmud and about 3.2 million
tons of pressmud produced every year (Gaur et al 2002). During the milling of sugarcane,
various suspended impurities are collectively leftout through filterpress as pressmud and
contains higher nutritive value. (Table 2) Characteristically pressmud is a soft, spongy,
light weight dark brown coloured solid material containing sugar, colloids, cane wax,
inorganic salts etc. It is a good source of N, P, K and some micro nutrients (Table 2).
Pressmud contains 1.1 to 3.1 % N, 0.6 to 3.6 % P and 0.3 to 1.8 % K in addition to secondary
and micronutrients such as Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu On average 17 kg of N, 36 kg of P, 14 – 23 kg of
K and 23 kf of S. It is acidic with high moisture content. The typical composition of pressmud
with 20 – 24 % organic carbon, Nitrogen 1.6 %, Phosphrous 3.83 %, Potassium 1.46 %, Calcium
3.2 %, Mg 1.65%, Sulphur 0.23 %, Copper 52 ppm, Zinc 69 ppm and Fe 24 ppm( Gaur et al 2002).
Table 2. Typical composition of Pressmud
S.No Parameters Contents %
1. Organic carbon 2.0 – 2.4 %
2. Nitrogen 1.26 %
3. Phosphate 3.85 %
4. Potassium 1.46 %
5. Calcium oxide 11.0 %
6. Magnesium 1.6 %
7. Sulphur 0.23 %
8. Copper 13 ppm
9. Manganese 898 ppm
10. Zinc 59 ppm
Role in Agriculture:
Bagasse and Press mud from the sugar industries is let out to the environment as a waste in
olden days. While in modern scientific world both the wastes are made as eco-friendly products
that is generating revenue to the industry. In Agriculture, Press mud has been mainly used as
source of plant nutrients, anameliorant for acidic and saline – sodic soils as a medium for
raising sugarcane seedlings and as a carrier for biofertilizer (Rhizobium). Application of 2
tons of CPM (Carbonation Press mud) /ha (Dutta and Gupta 1983) to soil increased the yield of
maize crop and wheat crop. A year old press mud is better organic manure for crops but studies
have shown that fresh press mud can be used after biocomposting. The above products and its
uses are directly supporting the sustainable agriculture and protects the environment.
Sustainable agriculture through Distillery wastes:
In India about 283 distilleries are established in both private and public sector and
producing about 2654288 KL of industrial alcohol. These distilleries are discharging spent
wash 12 times more than the alcohol production. These spent wash and the yeast sludge’s are
used as organic manure either by use of bio-compost or liquid manure. The sustainability of
the soil is maintained when we use the distillery waste either in the form of bio-compost or
liquid manure.
Spent wash is a principal liquid waste generated from the alcohol production. It is
discharged as effluent from alcohol distillation in a distillery. This spent wash is intense
brown in color, acidic in nature with high organic and suspended solids concentration and
therefore cannot be directly discharged into receiving streams or onto, land without any
treatment due to its deleterious effect on human health and environment. Due to the high
organic pollutant, the distillery is considered one of the highly polluting industry and
categorized under red.
PHYSICO CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTTICS OF SPENT WASH:
In distilleries, the spent wash is generated after distillation of fermented wash separating
ethyl alcohol synthesized by yeast cells utilizing reducible sugar from molasses as feed
stock. The characteristics of spent wash is being different distilleries to distilleries is
due to various factors. The spent wash is generated in large volume is about 12 – 15 liter for
every liter of alcohol production from cascade type fermentation and 6 – 9 liter from Bio
Still type fermentation developed by Alfa laval. (Table 3 )
Table 3. Physico Chemical Characteristics of Spent wash (Thiagarajan et al, 2002)
Sl.No.
Parameters
Cascade type
Fermentation
Biostill type
Fermentation
1. Color Dark Brown Dark brown
2. Odor Unpleasant burnt sugar Unpleasant burnt
sugar
3. pH 3.9 4.3
4. Ec (dSm1) 30.5 45.2
5. BiologicalOxygenDemand 46,100 96,000
6. Chemical Oxygen demand 96,450 1,40,975
9. Total Solids 8460 61,975
10 Total Dissolved
Solids
68,900 38,250
11.
TotalSuspendedSolids
25.5 4.0
12. Total volatile
solids
1,661 4200
13. Organic carbon % 225 3038
14. Nitrogen 9,600 17,475
15.
16.
Phosphrous
Potassium
2,050
1,715
7,000
2,100
17. Calcium 2,050 7,000
18. Magnesium 1,715 2,100
19. Sodium 670 462
20. Sulphate 3,425 3,240
21. Zinc 10.4 35
22 Manganese 4.6 5.7
23. Chloride 7,238 12,096
Characteristics of the clearly indicates that the spent wash shall be treated and it shall be
used for bio composting and irrigation. The following Treatment options are practiced in
distilleries throughout the world.
Treatment Option:
1. Bio-methanation
2. Activated sludge treatment system
3. Concentration & Incineration
4. Bio composting.
Treatment of Spentwash :
1.Biomethanisation - Spent wash is treated in distilleries in three stages. Firstly, the spent
wash is treated by anaerobic digestion (Biomethanization). Primarily the spent wash is treated
with 90 % BOD reduction and 60% COD reduction. During this digestion, evolution of biogas is
synthesized a 0.53Nm3/kg of COD reduced. This biogas is rich in calorific value due to the
high methane content. Generally the biogas contains with 52% methane, 46 % carbon dioxide and
2% hydrogen sulphide. This biogas shall be used as fuel in boiler. It is containing energy
value 4500 – 5000 Kcal/Cu.m. The treated effluent discharged from the Biogas plant shall be
treated further in secondary effluent treatment plant by activated sludge treatment system.
Various types digesters are available in various distilleries for treating the spent wash and
generating biogas. While digesters packed with media is treating the spent wash.
2.Activated Sludge Treatment System:
In distilleries, the primarily treated spent wash is further treated secondarily. This
secondary effluent treatment unit is consisting with two stage fixed aerators with clarifier
system. During this secondary treatment the remaining pollutant load has been drastically
reduced to meet the pollution control board standards. After secondary treatment, the treated
effluent has been disposed either on land or water as per the guidelines prescribed the
Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi.
3. Concentration & Incineration; Concentration – incineration process for the distillery spent
wash treatment has received a lot of attention in the past. The notable efforts and
methodologies adopted by Some of the Suppliers e.g. Praj Industries Ltd, Pune, Thermax, Pune
and Kinetic Technologies India describing the merits of the process. Different systems
varying in design details are available from the above mentioned suppliers. The basic flow
sheet of the process are (1) Receiving Vessel, (2) Evaporators (3) Furnace or combustion
chambers (4)Scrubbers for flue gases and (5) Solid ash handling systems. During the
concentration and incineration the large quantum of spent wash is reduced by increasing the
viscosity then finally it is dried as ash in furnace chambers to let out as solid material.
For concentration and incineration enough steam shall be supplied to the process and partial
heat recovery can also be made from process. Scaling and corrosion can be avoided by specified
technology adopted. The economy viability of this kind of process helps the industry to think
about the zero discharge and prevention from environmental deterioration. However the cost
involved for the installation and maintenance of this process is high compare to the some
alternative technologies.
4. Biocomposting: Biocompost has been produced any one of the method (windrow compost, vermi
compost ) is easily adoptable in our country. Technologies have been identified and developed
to upgrade the nutrient level of compost and to reduce the period of composting by 10 – 15
%(Gaur 1982, 1993),. There are several options to select on appropriate method depending on
the nature and quality of wastes to be processed, requirement of plant nutrients to be applied
including humus substances on the farm, availability of labor etc. The low nitrogen and
phosphorus content of organic manure and their bulkiness are hampering its large scale
production and widespread use although it is well known that organic manure improve physical,
chemical and biological properties of soil (Gaur et al 1984)
Environmental Protection:
In Sugar and Distilleries the state and central pollution control board controls the
environmental activity by stipulating the CREP and bring down under the Zero discharge as per
the Environment Protection Act 1982. In Sugar Industry water pollution is nullified by
recycling the effluent after treatment and air pollution is prevented by the use of ESP
installation. While in distilleries, the water pollution through the spent wash, the CPCB
issued guidelines as protocol for treating the spent wash and utilization of treated spent
wash for agricultural purposes. In latest trend the CPCB has fixed deadline for achieving the
zero discharge of effluent in distilleries.
Disposal Techniques adopted in Distilleries:
In India, almost all distilleries have been installed effluent treatment system for treating
the spent wash generated from the distillery. After the treatment, the disposal of effluent
is a major role and creating environmental issues. The Government of India has notified the
Environment Protection Act, 1982, based on this act, the CPCB has governing the pollution
abatement in distilleries and imposing penalties those who are violating the act. Five
different types of disposal options have been issued by the board and the distilleries has
been selecting their option to achieve the zero discharge. Among the five disposal
techniques, Bio-composting is one of the methodologies in all distilleries. Government of
India formulated standards for the discharge of treated effluent through its Bureau of Indian
Standards (Table 4 ).
Table 4 Indian standards for disposal of effluent
S.No Constituents IS: 3307
1977
IS:7968
1976
IS: 3306
197
IS: 2490
1974
1. pH 5.5 – 8.0 5.5 – 9.0 5.5 – 9.0 5.5 – 9.0
2. Temperature , 0 C - 45* 45 45
3. BOD3 (at 27 C) mg/l 500 100 500 30
4. Total Suspended Solids - 100 600 100
5. Total Dissolved Soilds 2100 - 2100 -
6. Particle size of sus.solids - 3mm - 850um
7. Oils & Grease 10 20 100 10
8. COD - 250 - -
9. Phenolic compounds - 5.0 5 1.0
Disposal Option:
Zero discharge through
a. Bio composting with pressmud
b. Onetime land application after bio-methanation
c. Soil reclamation
d. Sea water discharge
e. Reverse Osmosis.
1. Biocomposting
Bio composting process may be defined as a biochemical process in which the micro organisms or
earthworm as an important agents that break down organic mater into relatively humus like
material which is easily absorbs by the plants. It is easily distinguished from either
digestion or fermentation composting of organic matter into humus like substances by the
biomass. Which is mixed populations vary by mesophilic to thermophilic condition of bio
composting. Aerobic thermophilic composting process accelerates the oxidation and leads to
through decomposition. The process has the organic wastes into different types of organic
wastes into stabilized bio product like bio compost which enriches the soil biota and
sustainability in agriculture. This bio composting process makes feasible to recycle organic
waste back to the soil without causing pollution of land and water resources. Composting is
effectively converting the organic matter at wet condition to a stabilized organics and
release heat energy that destroys the pathogenic microbes and add the process became to dry.
Microbiological aspects of bio composting;
Decomposition of organic waste into dark brown humus like substrates by microorganisms like
bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and protozoa etc. Specific cultures like cellulolytic fungi,
bacteria can play important role in conversion of organic matter into humus substances. During
this decomposition, the complex organic material including cellulose, lignin and tannin and
other inorganic minerals are oxidized by metabolism and its utilization for biomass
production by building up building blocks with energy. The involvement of microbial
inoculation, the mesophilic microflora (25 – 45 C) temperature range are initial responsible
for initial bio process resulting in decomposition of water soluble and readily decomposable
materials like sugar, proteins and release of exothermic energy. This initial conversion makes
the compost became heat and increase the temperature upto 50 – 65 C and replacing the
mesophilic by thermophilic species of microorganisms. The rise in temperature is influenced by
the nature of organic matter and to a great extent of aeration. Composting organic residues
usually have a wide range of active micro flora. Some nitrogen fixing bacteria like
Azotobactor chroccum and phosphate solubilizing fungi: Aspergillus awamori and bacterial
species of Bacillus polymyxa. Some specific earthworms also activate the composting process.
study the role of efficient cellulolytic fungi in composting of crop residues riches in
cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. (Table 5)
Table 5. Typical compostion of bio –compost
S.No Parametrs Content
1. Moisture content 35-0
2. Total organic matter 40 – 45
3. Organic carbon 23 – 26
4. Total nitrogen 1.5 – 2.5
5. Total phosphrous 1.5 – 2.5
6. Total potassium 2.5 – 3.5
7. Calcium as Ca 30 – 50
8. Magnesium as Mg 1.5 – 2.0
9. Sulphur A So4 20 – 30
10. Iron as Fe 1000 – 2000 ug
11. Zinc as Zn 150 – 200 ug
12. Copper as Cu 35 – 40 ug
13. Boron 3
ug
14. Molybdenum < 2 ug
15. pH 6.5 – 7.8
Enrichment of compost with microbial inoculants:
Enrichment of compost with nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azotobactor chroococcum) and phosphate
solubilizing fungi improved the nutrient content of the final produced (Gaur 1987, 1999).
Inoculation with microbial cultures in presence of 1% rock .phosphate is beneficial input to
obtain a good quality compost rich in N and available P2O5 and the humus content is also
higher.
2. Onetime land application:
Onetime application of raw and secondaril treated spentwash as found effective in improving
the yield in variety of crops. Studies carried out by Tamilnadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore (Thiagarajan et al, 2002) in various agricultural stations (Sakthi Sugars Ltd,
Sakthinagar, 91 – 92; EID parry (I) Ltd, Nellikuppam; Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd, Sinnapuliyur
& Rajshree Sugars & Chemicals Ltd, Vaigaidam). The impact of one time land application of
treated effluent at various levels improved the yield and quality of the sugarcane. The
results showed that the pH, organic carbon and available nutrient contents of the soils were
significantly increased with increasing levels of spent wash addition. Application of spent
wash in soil did not have any impact in electrical conductivity of the soils. The highest cane
yield of 155.8tons/ha was recorded with the application of 125 tons /ha. In another study
carried out by Mallika et al 2001, the application spent wash on Maize and Sunflower, results
showed that the spent wash at 60 tons /acre produced higher grain yield in maize and
sunflower.
In another field experiment conducted in EID parry (I) Ltd, Nellikuppam, spen wash was applied
in different levels diluted with irrigation water. Studies conducted at four different
locations revealed that an increase in cane yield. 1:10 dilutions for sandy loam and 1:20 for
clay and clay loam soils was the best dilution and given highest cane yield. Results from
several field experiments have shown that the treated distillery spent wash could be
advantageously used for irrigation to the standing crops particularly sugarcane by making
suitable dilution without any adverse effect on soil and crops.
3. Soil reclamation:
Soil reclamation is an another method of disposal technology for the spent wash in the
distillery in sodic soil belt. It is an alternative to gypsum for reclamation of sodic soil.
Several field experiments were conducted by Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Trichy in
Manikandam blcok in Trichy district with 5 lakh litre/ha to the non saline sodic soil followed
by 2 to 3 leaching with water. After 60 days, effective reclamation has been achieved and rice
have been cultivated. The results indicated that there was a reduction in soil pH due to the
spent wash application. There was considerable increase in organic carbon content, available
nutrient, microbial activities. This has reflected the yield of rice after cultivation.
Certain limitations are there in the sodic soil reclamation by spent wash application.
1. It cannot be used in the vicinity of open / bore well / lakes which are used for purpose of
drinking. 2. Over dose of spent wash application may affect the crop yields due to high plant
vegetative growth. 3. Continuous application of spent wash in the soils may lead to nutrients
toxicity.
4. Spent wash disposed in sea water:
It is one of the methodologies for disposal of treated effluent through sea water as zero
discharge. In all distilleries, a bio-methanisation plant is installed for treating the spent
wash primarily. After treatment this treated effluent shall be pumped into the sea by pipeline
into the sea. This can be without further secondary treatment. All the pollutant in the
treated effluent have been eliminated by the sea.
5. Reverse Osmosis / Membrane Filtration:
Reverse Osmosis is a another kind of treatment to treat the spent wash after primary
treatment. Distillery spent wash is generally constituted with large quantity of inorganic and
organic salts with high intensity of color. With this quality we cannot discharge either on
land or water. Reverse Osmosis is reducing the color intensity and reduce the solids to zero
level. After the treatment, the fresh water generated from the unit shall be used for the
process. The cartridge / membrane installed in the RO is absorbing the solids and nullify the
pollutant level in the effluent. Economically it is not viable and the cost of installation
and treatment cost is somewhat high compare to another type of treatment.
Impact of Spent wash application on Soil micro flora & funna:
The distillery spent wash rich in micronutrients supports the growth of microbes in soil. An
increase of 20 % microbial population and 11% fungi population over the control when it was
experimented in Shamli distillery. It is reflected the potential of microbiota to act as
bioindicator for the gross change in soil. High nutritive value of spentwash supports the
growth of microflora which is responsible for decomposition of the organic matter. Some
species of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Citrobactor, Arthrobactor and Streptomyces was found in the
spent wash applied lands. In bio-compost applied fields some of the culturable organisms such
as actinomycetes, bateria and free living nitrogen fixers significantly increased in their
level and correspondingly the crop yield also increased.
Environmental Protection Act Implementation by Pollution Control Board:
The Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi had passed a bill for the implementation of
Environment Protection Act, 1982. As per the Act, any industry generating effluent shall be
treated and it shall be disposed on land / water subject to the standards prescribed by the
Central Pollution Control Board / State Pollution Control Board. The industry must get the
consent order for running their industry. In recent times, the Central Pollution Control
Board has notified the Protocol for controlled land application of treated post bio –
methanated distillery spent wash as liquid manure. The CPCB protocol has included basic
requirements, safety protocol & Monitoring protocol. Based on the type of soil nature and
conditions, it has recommended the dosage of spent wash for various crops (Table 6 ).
Table 6. Spent wash dosage for various crops based on Nitrogen requirement
Crops Spent wash to be applied based on Nitrogen requirement
Loamy Soil Clay Soil Sandy Soil
Sugar Cane 90 - 125 80 - 115 70 – 95
Paddy 80 - 150 70 - 135 60 – 115
Maize 100 - 150 90 - 135 75 – 115
Sunflower 35 - 90 35 - 80 25 - 70
Turmeric 30 - 50 30 - 45 25 – 70
Banana 125 - 250 115 - 225 100 – 190
Cotton 70 - 80 65 - 75 55 – 60
Groundnut 35 – 90 30 – 80 25 – 70
Ragi 60 - 80 50 - 75 45 - 60
Biocycle : The bio cycle in sustainable agriculture through sugarcane crop (Fig 2)
which is cultivated in a soil, crushed in a sugar factory, the cane juice containing sugar
content is clarified and settled and clear juice is used for some production (sucrose). The
left over pressmud, molasses and baggasse is recycled to the land by different ways. The
molasses containing left over unrecoverable sugar and other mineral content is used for
converting it into alcohol and spent wash. This spent wash is recycled by direct application
or bio-composting with pressmud. The compost applied field or spent wash applied field
substitute the available major nutrients like N:P:K and micro nutrients to the sugar cane.
Saving of fertilizer & micro nutrient by spent wash:
It is mentioned in the earlier Table the spent wash either before or after treatment have the
fertilizer value and micro nutrient value and it is availed by the soil or the crop which is
applied with spent wash. The farmer saving the cost of input from spentwash application or
the bio-compost. In per cu.m of spentwash contains about 9.6 kg of Nitrogen 2.0 kg of
Phosphrours and 2 – 4 kg of Potassium and variety of micronutrients is availed through the
spentwash and its cost is not easily calculated and other benefits are also availed by the
farmer. Spentwash application also supports the soil health, increased the water holding
capacity and microbial population. All the above has been supporting the sustainable
agariculture and protects the environment.
Recycle – Reduce – Reuse:-
For adaptation of Recycle- Reuse & Reduce concept in a distillery, bio cycle is a major cyclic
activity and enhance the sustainability in agriculture. While studying the soil
characteristics in details, physical properties, chemical properties and biological properties
plays major role in building up the manorial value and the maintenance of soil fertility and
increasing crop productivity is described in detail.
Sugar cane
Crushed by milling
at sugar factory
Clarification
and settling
Clear juice for
sugar production
Sugar production
Alcohol Molasses
production
Spent wash
Reclamation
of sonic soil
Treated by
anaerobically
Biogas as fuel
in distillery
Treated by
aerobically
Bio-composting
Pressmud
sludge
Dryland /wetland BIO-CYCLE
application
Cane juice with
plant cell mass
Conclusion:
In this article, sustainable agriculture through sugar and distillery wastes is described.
Even then the organic farming is getting popularity among the farmers. For organic farming the
cost of inputs & other controlling agents are costlier than the conventional types. In olden
days people used farm yard manure, poultry waste and other agricultural residues as organic
manure. This had reduced the productivity of the crops. While conventional agriculture
increased the productivity and reduced the healthiness of the people. Nowadays, people switch
over to the sustainable agriculture even though the cost is high. Scientific community jointly
carried out certain research in some university and other national research institute and
found that the sugar and distillery wastes can be used as organic manure. In sugar mill,
abundant quantity of press mud is discharged as waste and it is used as decomposed with spent
wash.This compost can be used as organic manure. In distillery sugar mill bye-product molasses
is sent for the conversion of sugar into alcohol. The effluent (spent wash) generated from the
distillery is either directly applied on land before or after the cultivation or it can be
used after the composting. This will improve the quality of the soil and organic manure
available on free of cost. Wealth from waste have been obtained and the health of the soil and
human also being protected.
Acknowledgement: The author express his gratitude to the Director of Sugar, Chief Sugar
Chemist, TASCO and Special Officer, Amaravathy Coop Sugar Mills, Krishnapuram. The author also
express sincere thanks to the cooperation extended by the entire managerial staff of ACSM Ltd,
Krishnapuram.
References:
1.Thiagarajan T.M and Mahimairaja .S. (2002) “ Use of Distillery Spent wash in Agriculture:
Present research results and future priorities” Proceedings of national Conference, SISMA,
chennai. 12 – 25.
2.Joshi H.C (2002) “ Post methanation distillery spent wash use in Agriculture in northern
india” Proceedings of national Conference, SISMA, chennai. 26 – 41.
3.Gunjal B.B and Nimbalkar D.S (2002) “Distillery spent wash treatment and utilization
Maharashtra state” Proceedings of National Conference SISMA 42 – 41.
4 Gaur A.C(2002) “Organic Manure from Distillery waste” Proceedings of National Conference
SISMA 50 – 64.
5.Joshi J.B “ Distillery Waste Treatkment” Advances in Waste water Treatment Technologies,
University of Mumbai, Mumbai – 19. 247 – 250.
REUSE
REDUCE
RECYCLE
6. CPCB Protocol for Distillery Spent wash, CPCB, New delhi.
7. R & D Advisory Committee Report (1999), Tamilnadu Distillers Association, Chennai – 35.

எத்தனால்

எத்தனால் என்பது எரிநறா அல்லது வெறியம் என்னும் வகையைச் சார்ந்த ஒரு வேதிச் சேர்மம். இது எரியக்கூடிய தன்மையுடையதும் நிறமற்றதும் ஆகும். மதுபானங்களில் பொதுவாகக் கலந்திருக்கும் இந்த வெறியம் ஆதி காலத்தில் இருந்து ஒரு போதைப் பொருளாக அறியப்பட்ட ஒன்று. சர்க்கரையை நொதிக்கச்செய்து எத்தனால் தயாரிப்பது மனிதகுலம் அறிந்த கரிம வேதிவினைகளுள் முதன்மையானவற்றுள் ஒன்று என்று நம்பப்படுகிறது.

எத்தனாலை வேதியியலில் C₂H₅OH என்று குறிப்பர். அதாவது எத்திலீனில் (C₂H₆) உள்ள ஓர் ஐதரசனுக்குமாற்றீடாக ஒரு ஐதராக்சைல் குழு (-OH) உள்ளது. இதன் வாய்பாட்டை CH₃-CH₂-OH என்றும் குறிப்பது வழக்கம். இப்படி எழுதுவதில் இருந்து மெத்தில் குழுவில்(CH₃-) உள்ள கரிமம் மெத்திலீன் குழுவில் (-CH₂-) உள்ள கரிமத்துடன் இணைந்துள்ளது என்றும், அதன் கரிமம் ஐதராக்சைல் குழுவுடன் (-OH) இணைந்துள்ளது என்றும் பார்த்தவுடன் புரிந்துகொள்ளலாம்.

அண்மைக் காலங்களில் எத்தனால் ஒரு மாற்று எரிபொருளாய் முன்வைக்கப் படுகிறது. நேரடியாக ஊர்திகளில் எரிபொருளாகவும், கன்னெய் (பெட்ரோல்) போன்ற பிற ஊர்தி எரிபொருட்களோடு கலந்தும் இதனைப் பயன்படுத்தலாம். எரிபொருளுக்காக எத்தனாலைப் பயன்படுத்துவது பல நாடுகளில் இருந்தாலும் பெரும்பாலும் (~90%) அமெரிக்காவிலும், பிரேசிலிலும் தான் அதிகமாகப் பயன்படுத்தப் படுகிறது. அமெரிக்காவில் சோளத்தில்இருந்தும், பிரேசிலில் கரும்பில் இருந்தும் எத்தனால் தயாரிக்கப் படுகிறது. கடந்த ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளில் எத்தனால் தயாரிப்பு இரண்டு மடங்காக அதிகரித்திருக்கிறது. குறிப்பு: 2005இல் எத்தனால் தயாரிப்பு ஏறத்தாழ ஒன்பதுபில்லியன் கேலன்கள்.

பிரேசிலில் விற்கப்படும் கன்னெய்களில் ஏறத்தாழ 20% எத்தனால் கலக்கப் படுகிறது. நேரடியாகத் தூய்மையான நீரற்ற எத்தனாலையும் ஊர்தி எரிபொருளாகப் பயன்படுத்துகின்றனர். பிரேசிலின் ஊர்திகளில் கிட்டத்ட்ட பாதியளவில் நேரடியாக எத்தனாலை மட்டுமே வைத்து ஓட்ட முடியும். நெகிழ்-எரி-எந்திரங்களில் முழுமையாக எத்தனாலையோ, அல்லது முழுமையாகப் பெட்ரோலையோ, அல்லது ஏதாவதொரு விகிதத்தில் இரண்டையும் கலந்தோ பயன்படுத்த முடியும். அமெரிக்காவில் முழுமையாக எத்தனாலை எரிபொருளாக பயன்படுத்த அனுமதிப்பதில்லை. அதிக அளவாக 85% எத்தனாலை மட்டுமே அனுமதிக்கின்றனர். 85% எத்தனாலும், மிச்சம் 15% பெட்ரோலும் கொண்ட கலவையை E85 என்று சந்தையில் விற்கிறார்கள்.