DISTILLERY WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL

Lt Col Mantha Nagaraj*, Dr Arvind K!ar**

*PhD Scholar, Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), oor!ee " #$% &&%'
District (arid)ar, *ttaranchal, India' (e-mail: manthanagaraj@yahoo.com)
**Professor + (ead of Civil Engineering Department
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) oor!ee " #$% &&%'
District (arid)ar, *ttaranchal, India' (e-mail: prof_ak04@yahoo.com)
A"STRACT
,' -ne of the most important environmental pro.lems faced .y the )orld is management of )astes'
Industrial processes create a variety of )aste)ater pollutants/ )hich are difficult and costly to treat'
0aste)ater characteristics and levels of pollutants vary significantly from industry to industry' 1o)2a2days
emphasis is laid on )aste minimi3ation and revenue generation through .yproduct recovery' Pollution
prevention focuses on preventing the generation of )astes, )hile )aste minimi3ation refers to reducing the
volume or to4icity of ha3ardous )astes .y )ater recycling and reuse, and process modifications and the
.yproduct recovery as a fall out of manufacturing process creates ample scope for revenue generation
there.y offsetting the costs su.stantially'
#' Production of ethyl alcohol in distilleries .ased on cane sugar molasses constitutes a ma5or
industry in 6sia and South 6merica' The )orld7s total production of alcohol from cane molasses is more
than,8 million m
8
9annum' The a:ueous distillery effluent stream !no)n as spent )ash is a dar! .ro)n
highly organic effluent and is appro4imately ,#2,; times .y volume of the product alcohol' It is one of the
most comple4, trou.lesome and strongest organic industrial effluents, having e4tremely high C-D and
<-D values' <ecause of the high concentration of organic load, distillery spent )ash is a potential source
of rene)a.le energy' The paper revie)s the status and appropriate treatment alternatives for disposal of the
distillery )aste)ater'
KEYWORDS
Distillery Spent)ash, evenue =eneration, <yproduct ecovery'
INTROD#CTION
,' Production of ethyl alcohol in distilleries .ased on cane sugar molasses constitutes a ma5or
industry in 6sia and South 6merica' The )orld7s total production of alcohol from cane molasses is more
than,8 million m
8
9annum' The a:ueous distillery effluent stream !no)n as spent )ash is a dar! .ro)n
highly organic effluent and is appro4imately ,#2,; times .y volume of the product alcohol' It is one of the
most comple4, trou.lesome and strongest organic industrial effluents, having e4tremely high C-D and
<-D values' <ecause of the high concentration of organic load, distillery spent )ash is a potential source
of rene)a.le energy'
#' The #>; distilleries in India produce #'% .illion litres of alcohol and generating $? .illion litres of
)aste)ater annually' The enormous distillery )aste)ater has potential to produce ,,?? million cu.ic
meters of .iogas' The population e:uivalent of distillery )aste)ater .ased on <-D has .een reported to .e
as high as &'# .illion )hich means that contri.ution of distillery )aste in India to organic pollution is
appro4imately seven times more than the entire Indian population' The )aste)ater from distilleries, ma5or
portion of )hich is spent)ash, is nearly ,; times the total alcohol production' This massive :uantity,
appro4imately $? .illion litres of effluent, if disposed untreated can cause considera.le stress on the )ater
courses leading to )idespread damage to a:uatic life'
MOLASSES WATER
DILUTER
YEAST PROPAGATION
FERMENTER FERMENTER SLUDGE
ANALYSER
RECTIFIER
ALCOHOL SPENT WASH
SPIRIT RECEIVER
EFFLUENT TREATMENT
ALCO$OL MAN#%ACT#RIN& PROCESS AND NAT#RE O% DISTILLERY
WASTEWATER
8' In India .ul! of the alcohol is .eing produced from sugar cane molasses' @olasses is a thic!
viscous .yproduct of the sugar industry )hich is acidic in nature, rich in salts, dar! .ro)n in colour and it
also contains sugar )hich could not .e crystalli3ed' Aor manufacturing alcohol, the @olasses is diluted )ith
)ater into a solution containing ,;2,& B of sugars' This solution is then inoculated )ith yeast strain and is
allo)ed to ferment at room temperature' The fermented )ash is distilled in a series of distillation columns
to o.tain alcohol of ade:uate9 re:uisite strength and :uality9specification' This alcohol is used for various
purposes including pota.le and industrial' Aor manufacture of alcoholic .everages, the alcohol is, if
re:uired, matured and .lended )ith malt alcohol (for manufacture of )his!y) and diluted to re:uisite
strength to o.tain the desired type of li:uor9 Indian @ade Aoreign Ci:uor (I@AC)' This is .ottled in .ottles
of various si3es for the convenience of consumers'
S'No' Para!(t(r Rang(
,' p( $'82;'8
#' Total Suspended Solids ,#,???2,$,???
8' Total Dissolved Solids $;,???2%;,???
$' <'-'D', #?
?
C, ; days $?,???2;?,???
;' C'-'D' D?,???2,,??,???
"IO)ENER&Y POTENTIAL %ROM DISTILLERY E%%L#ENTS
$' In India there are #>; distilleries producing 8'#? .illion litres of alcohol generating $; .illion litres
of )aste)ater annually' The enormous distillery )aste)ater has potential to produce ,#?? million cu.ic
meters of .iogas' The post methanation )aste)ater if used carefully for irrigation of agricultural crops can
produce more than D;??? tonne of .iomass annually' This .iogas normally contains &?B methane gas,
)hich is a )ell2recogni3ed fuel gas )ith minimum air pollution potential' If this source of energy is tapped,
it )ill fetch additional energy units )orth ; trillion2!ilo calories annually' <esides, the Post @ethanation
Effluent (P@E) can provide #$;??? tones of potassium, ,#;?? tones of nitrogen and #,?? tones of
phosphorus annually' Thus the manorial potential of effluent can .e measured .y the fact that one year7s
effluent can meet the potassium re:uirement of ,';; million hectare land, nitrogen re:uirement of ?',8
million hectare land and phosphorus re:uirement of ?'?#; million hectare land if t)o crops are ta!en in a
year'
Annual Bio energy Potential of Distillery Effluent in Various States of India
Stat( #nit* Ca+a,it-
.M Ltr/Yr0
E11l(nt
.M Ltr/Yr0
"ioga*
.M !
2
0
Total N
.ton(*0
Total Ka
.ton(*0
"io!a**
.ton(*0
6 P #$ ,#8 ,D;# ;? ;&& ,,,,; 8%?$
6ssam , # #$ ?'% % ,$$ $D
<ihar ,8 DD ,8#8 8;'% 8>% %>$? #&$&
=oa & ,; #,D & &; ,8?$ $8&
=u5arat ,? ,#D ,>,> ;,'D ;%& ,,;,, 8D8D
Earnata!a #D ,D% #%>> %;'& D$? ,&%>$ ;;>D
@ P #, $&> %?8& ,>? #,,, $##,> ,$?%#
@aharashtra &; &#; >8&% #;8 #D,? ;&#,% ,D%8$
Pun5a. D DD ,8,% 8;'& 8>; %>?# #&8$
Tamilnadu ,> #,# 8,%D D& >;8 ,>%, &8;&
* P $8 &,% >#;# #;? #%%& ;;;,# ,D;?$
0 < & #$ 8%, ,?', ,,, ####8 %$#
a5asthan % ,$ #?# 8 &, ,#,; $?$
Eerala D #8 8$8 >'8 ,?8 #?&$ &D&
Pondicherry 8 ,, ,&; $'; ;? >>? 88?
Si!!im , % >D ;'; #> ;D; ,>&
1agaland , # #$ ?'% % ,$$ $D
F + E % #$ 8&& ,, ,,? #,>& %8#
( P # 8 8> , ,# #8$ %D
(aryana ; $, &,; ,&'& ,D; 8&>? ,#8?
Total #D; #%?8 $?,;?D ,?>&', ,#,,;$ #&8,?%? D,?,&
PRESENT STAT#S O% TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL
;' Spent )ash treatment is proposed .y three different routes currently vi3/ (a) Concentration
follo)ed .y incineration, (.) 6naero.ic digestion )ith .iogas recovery follo)ed .y aero.ic polishing and
(c) Direct )et o4idation of stillage .y air at high temperature )ith generation of steam follo)ed .y aero.ic
polishing' 6ll of these processes are capital intensive' The incineration process involves an investment of
the order of $??B of the distillery cost, )hereas the other t)o processes along )ith the secondary treatment
re:uire an investment of #??28??B of the distillery cost' The unfavoura.le economics ma!e it difficult to
implement these treatment processes on the plant scale' <ecause anaero.ic digestion and )et o4idation are
less e4pensive, these alternatives are more attractive' (o)ever, there is a need for development of a
suita.le process )ith lo)er investments and higher energy recovery' @any distilleries in India are
allo)ing their effluent for application on land as direct irrigation )ater, spent )ash ca!e and spent )ash2
press mud compost' The advances manifesting the possi.ilities of energy conservation are also discerni.le
in the case of distilleries' The methane gas generated in the digesters is used as a fuel to compensate the
energy needs of the industry' 6 general estimate suggests that the cost of an anaero.ic .iological digester is
recovered )ithin #28 years of installation .ecause of su.stantial saving of coal and other fuels'
COST RECO3ERY MET$ODS %ROM T$E DISTILLERY E%%L#ENTS
&' The )aste)aters generated during the distillery and .re)ery operations contain high organic
loads' It has a <-D from 8?,??? to &?,??? mg9,' So due to this high organic contents, the )aste)aters can
.e su.5ected to treatment for the production of .iogas, composting, a:uaculture and potash recovery'
.a0 "IO&AS' Aor the production of .iogas from distillery effluent, anaero.ic
.iomethanation of the effluent is adopted, generally' (igh rate anaero.ic technologies are utili3ed
for .iogas generation' Aluidised <ed eactors and *p flo) 6naero.ic Sludge <lan!et (*6S<)
eactors are mostly utili3ed for the production of .iogas from the effluents' Some of the .iogas
production processes .eing commercial,y esta.lished in India at present areG2
"IOT$ANE PROCESS G This process uses the *6S< reactor for the production of
.iogas' This is a sta.le and automatic process )ith lo) operational costs'
"IO"ED PROCESS G It is similar to <io thane process' It uses *A< reactors' It needs
less installation area and its construction cost is lo)er compared to any other system'
"IOPA4 PROCESS G In this process anaero.ic .acteria are used to treat the distillery
effluents for the production of .iogas' *6S< process is utili3ed here' The separated
sludge in this process ma!es e4cellent manure' The generated .iogas is used to produce
steam for the distillation of alcohol and thus it replaces ;?2&?B of the total re:uired
energy in the process of distillation' Aor a plant having $?2$;,??? !g C-D9day %;2D?B
of C-D can .e reduced and nearly s' #;';? la!hs can .e saved annually for a distillery
having 8?? )or!ing days in a year' The generated .iogas from *6S< reactor of <ioPa:
process can .e collected and .e used as a fuel in gas9dual engine' Through suita.le
coupling the engine can .e coupled )ith the 69C generator for generation of electricity
from .iogas' Aor a $; !lpd distillery ,, EH of po)er is generated )hich is then utili3ed
in the distillery thus cutting do)n the po)er consumption'
S#L5ER6 S PROCESS G The technology of this type of .iogas plant is provided .y
Sul3er <rothers Cimited, S)it3erland' It is specifically made for Indian conditions' 6
.iogas plant at the distillery of Padmashri Dr' Hitthalrao Hi!he Patil S'S'E' Ctd',
Pravaranagar, 6hmednagar District, @aharashtra is .ased on Sul3erIs technology' The
capacity of this distillery is &,??? lpd )hich generates >?? m8 of spent )ash per day'
The .iogas production is in the range of ,&,;;? to #,,D%? m8 per day' The savings in
the cost of fuel is in the range of s' 8,# la!hs to s' &;# la!hs per year'
o ECONOMICS O% T$E "IO&AS PLANT O% S#L5ER7S DESI&N
These calculations are made for a distillery producing 8?,??? litres of alcohol per
day' The effluent characteristics are for conventional .atch type fermentation
process'
o E%%L#ENT C$ARACTERISTICS
<efore Treatment 6fter Treatment
Alo) m
8
9day $;? $;?
p( $'? to $'; %'? to %'D
<-D mg9l $;,??? to ;?,??? &,??? to D,???
C-D mg9l D?,??? to ,???,??? #;,??? to 8;,???
o PER%ORMANCE
eduction of <-D B D? to D; B
eduction of C-D B &; to %? B
<iogas Production 1m
8
9day ,#,8??
Specific <iogas Production 1m
8
9!g of C-D degraded ?'$ to ?';
B of methane in .iogas &? to &; B
o ECONOMICS
Calorific value of .iogas &??? Ecal9 1m
8
Calorific Halue of Coal $??? Ecal9Eg
Coal e:uivalent of <iogas per day ,D'$; tonnes
Cost of Coal at s ,D?? per tonne s 88,#,? pd
6nnual fuel savings s >>'&8 lacs
Capital cost of plant s #8? lacs
Interest at ,; B on %; B of the capital cost** s #&,%8,%;?
@aintenance costs s #,??,???
Staff Salary s ,,;?,???
Po)er $? E0 at s #92 per unit s ;,%&,???
Total 6nnual Cost s 8&,??,???
1et Savings per year s >>'8& " 8&
J s &8'&8 lacs
Total Pay .ac! period J #8? 9 &8'&8
J 8 to $ years'
.80 COMPOSTIN& In this process, press mud generated from sugar mill is utilised to produce
compost .y mi4ing distillery effluent' <oth anaero.ic and aero.ic composting systems are
practiced' In some plants composting )ith treated effluent treated through .io2methanation plant is
also practiced' This system can achieve 3ero effluent if the press mud :uantity matches )ith the
effluent generated'
ECONOMICS O% "IOEART$ COMPOSTIN&
Capacity of the Distillery ;? ECPD
1um.er of )or!ing days in a year
In the Distillery 8??
In the Composting Plant #%;
=enerated spent)ash 8;? ECPD (<iostil Plant)
Solid content in spent)ash ,% B
Spent)ash to Press mud atio #'; EC G , @T
@an Po)er e:uired ;?
Culture e:uirement 8,'; @T9annum
Press mud re:uirement $8,??? @T9 annum
Cost of Culture s ,'%; la!hs per @T
Cost of Press mud s ,# per @T
@an Po)er cost s ;? per day
Capital Cost s ,%; la!hs (e4cluding land)
Cand e:uirement #; acres
<io Earth Production 8D,??? @T per year
6nnual @aintenance Costs ,'; B of e:uipment costs
B Costs of Aunds #? B per annum
OPERATION COSTS
Cost of Culture ;;',8 la!hs
6verage Cost of Aunds ,%'; la!hs
Cost of Diesel ,,'8# la!hs
Cost of Press mud ;',& la!hs
Cost of Transportation of Press mud ?'??
6nnual @an Po)er Cost &'DD la!hs
Depreciation (K ,? B) ,;'?? la!hs
@aintenance #'#; la!hs
6nnual -perational Cost of Compost Plant ,,8'#$ la!hs
Cost of -ne @etric Tonne of <ioearth J6nnual -perational cost of plant
Compost Produced in @T
J ,,8#$???
8D???
J s #>D'?? per @T
NET COST/"ENE%IT %OR DI%%ERENT SELLIN& PRICES O% COMPOST
SP o1 "io(arth N(t Co*t / "(n(1it
in R* in R*
? 2,,8#$???'??
,??'?? 2%;#$???'??
#??'?? 28%#$???'??
#>D'?? ?'??
8;?'?? ,>%&???'??
$??'?? 8D%&???'??
;??'?? %&%&???'??
1et annual cost9.enefit of Compost J Sales value of 8D??? @T of
compost less annual operating costs
COMP#TATION O% PAY "ACK PERIOD
,' SP of <ioearth 2 s #;?'??
Initial cash outflo) 2 s ,%;?????'??
1et annual cash inflo) 2 s ,%8D???'??
Pay <ac! Period 2 ,?'?& Lears (,%;?????9,%8D???'??)
#' SP of <ioearth 2 s 8;?'??
Initial cash outflo) 2 s ,%;?????'??
1et annual cash inflo) 2 s ;##&???'??
Pay <ac! Period 2 8'8$ Lears (,%;?????'??9;##&???'??)
8' SP of <ioearth 2 s ;??'??
Initial cash outflo) 2 s ,%;?????'??
1et annual cash inflo) 2 s ,?>#&???'??
Pay <ac! Period 2 ,'& Lears (,%;?????'??9,?>#&???'??)
.,0 POTAS$ RECO3ERY It is done .y incinerating the distillery spent )ash' In this
process, the ra) distillery spent )ash is first neutrali3ed )ith lime and filtered' This is further
concentrated to a.out &?B solids in multiple2effect forcer circulation evaporators' 1o) this thic!
li:uor from the evaporator is .urnt in an incinerator and is converted into ash' The dry solids of
the spent )ash in the form of co!e in the incinerator has an average calorific value of # Ecal9!g,
)hich is sufficient for supporting self2com.ustion of the thic! li:uor in the incinerator' The
resulting ash is found to contain a.out 8%B of potash as potassium o4ide on an average' This ash
is further leached )ith )ater to dissolve the potassium salts' Then it is neutrali3ed )ith sulphuric
acid and is evaporated' The potassium salts are crystalli3ed in a crystal,i3er' The crystalli3ed
mi4ed potassium salt contains %8';B of potassium sulphate (E#S-$) ,&';B potassium chloride
(ECl) and ;B of sodium salts' It is estimated that a distillery discharging a.out 8?? m
8
of spent
)ash per day could recover 8 tonnes of Potassium as Potassium o4ide or a.out ;'8$ tonnes of
Potassium sulphate and ,'# tonnes of Potassium chloride per day' This potassium is used as a
fertili3er'
.d0 DISTILLERY WASTEWATER #TILISATION IN A&RIC#LT#RE <eing very
rich in organic matters, the utilisation of disti l lery effluents in agricultural fields creates organic
fertili3ation in the soil )hich raises the p( of the soil, increases availa.ility of certain nutrients
and capa.ility to retain )ater and also improves the physical structure of soil' @ostly the distillery
)aste)aters are used for pre2so)ing irrigation' The post2harvest fields are filled )ith distillery
effluents' 6fter ,;2#? days, )hen the surface is almost dried, the fields are tilled and the crops are
so)n and su.se:uent irrigation is given )ith fresh )ater' (o)ever, the effluent is diluted #28
times .efore application on crops' 6pparently, the irrigation )ith distillery )aste)ater seems to .e an
attractive agricultural practice )hich not only augments crop yield .ut also provides a plausi.le solution
for the land disposal of the effluents' -ne cu.ic metre of methanated effluent contains nearly ; !g of
potassium, 8?? grams of nitrogen and #? grams of phosphorus' If one centimetre of post methanation
effluent is applied on one hectare of agricultural land annually, it )i ll yield nearly &?? !g of potassium,
8&? !g of calcium, ,?? !g of sulphates, #D !g of nitrogen and # !g of phosphates' The distillery effluent
contains ?'& to #,'; percent potash as E-, ?', to ,'? percent phosphorus as P- and ?'?, to ,'; percent
1itrogen as 1#' The irrigational and manorial potential of distillery )aste)aters is given .elo)G
i) Total Holume availa.le in @illion m
8
9annum G &'D%
ii) 1utrients Contri.ution Potential (tonnes9annum) G1 2 &>8D?
P- 2 ,,88;
E- 2 #%$D?
ECONOMICAL ASPECTS
0hen the distillery effluents are used for i r ri gat i on in fallo) lands, the micro.es present
in it transform the lands into fertile ones, giving high yields of paddy and sugarcane'
Aarmers could save nitrogenous fertilisers )orth s ,88; crores per annum if at least #??
distilleries of out country recycled their )astes to the agri cult ural fields' (o)ever, it is
predicted that the ut i li sat i on of distillery effluent for irrigation of land )ould ma!e a v a i l 2
a.le nitrogen, phosphorous and potash val ued at a.out s ;?? crores each year' The added
advantage of this application )ould .e that these fertilisers )ould .e avai l a.l e to soi l in
organic form' 6s the secondary and tertiary systems for the treatment of distillery effluent are
highly energy intensive and according to the estimates of the *nion @inistry of Energy a total
connected load of #?? @'0' )ould .e re:uired to energising these systems if #$& distilleries
endeavour to reduce the <-D level of effluent to the e4tent possi.le' The generation of the
desired energy )ould need an installed load of 8;? @'0' )hich )ould re:uire capital
investment of the order of a.out s ,$?? crores' So it )ill .e an attractive practice to utilise the
distillery effluents for ferti2irrigation of land after primary treatment, as land is availa.le in
a.undance around the distilleries )hich are located in the sugarcane .elts'
RECOMMENDATIONS
%' evie)ing the magnitude of pollution potential of distillery )aste)aters and the e4periences gained over
years on recovery of residues and treatment of )aste)ater the follo)ing recommendations are made G2
In2plant control measures for conservation and reuse of )ater and good house2!eeping for prevention
of spillage and lea!ages should .e the prere:uisite'
Aor recovery from the treatment of distillery spent)ash, depending on the availa.ility and cost of
land in a particular area, simple treatment in anaero.ic lagoon to generate .iogas follo)ed .y treatment in
aerated lagoon or o4idation ditch may .e considered' 0here the availa.ility and cost of land are the main
constraints, activated sludge type of aeration treatment in a deep o4idation ditch )ould .e more
economical than the conventional or e4tended aeration sludge process'
Aor the treatment of distillery spent )ash, removal and9or recovery of yeast should .e prere:uisite to
reduce the load and eliminate certain undue pro.lems in the )aste treatment9recovery plants' This
recovered yeast can .e utilised as a good cattle feed' ecovery of spent grains and yeast and their
utilisation as animal feed and feed supplement might .e encouraged not only for reducing the pollution
load form the )aste)aters .ut also in providing for a reasona.le return on their capital investment of the
industry'
0here the availa.ility of land is a severe constraint, evaporation and incineration of distillery spent
)ash to recover potash )ould appear to .e the only choice' In spite of high capital investment re:uired for
such type of plants, heat recovery )ould defray significantly the organisation and maintenance costs and
contri.ute to)ards conservation of energy'
In the countries li!e ours, )here indigenous sources of potash are scarce or not availa.le, recovery of
potash from crude ash .y evaporation and incineration of spent )ash )ould appear to .e an economically
attractive alternative' If heat recovery is simultaneously used, the pay .ac! period of the plant can .e
su.stantially reduced'
6naero.ic digestion of spent )ash in a closed digester follo)ed .y its treatment under an activated
sludge process, especially in an o4idation ditch to reduce costs, might .e adopted as the most cost2
effective system for the distilleries )hich are located a)ay from sugar factories' @oreover, the treated
effluent can .e conveniently used for irrigation of cane fields or other crop lands, su.se:uently'
<iogas generated from the distillery effluents, can .e effectively utili3ed in production plant .oilers
thus saving a.out ;? to &? percent fuel9steam' The treated effluent having almost all the potash retained in
it may .e utilised for irrigation purposes'
The utilisation of the distillery effluent in agricultural fields )ill not only enrich these further )ith
essential plant nutrients li!e nitrogen, phosphorous and potash .ut also compensate the e4penditure on
fertili3ers for crop gro)th' This practice )ill result in revenue generation and further lead to offsetting the
costs su.stantially'
Similarly spent)ash utili3ation in .ioearth composting, )here ade:uate land is availa.le, .eing a
simple process and not involving any heavy machinery is also one of the cost effective methods of
disposal' @oreover it is feasi.le alternative for utili3ation of treated effluent/ as the same generates
revenue thus offsetting the costs and further leading to reduction in pay .ac! period'
CONCL#SION
D' -ne of the most important environmental pro.lems faced .y the )orld is management of )astes'
1o)2a2days emphasis is laid on )aste minimi3ation and revenue generation through .yproduct recovery'
Pollution prevention focuses on preventing the generation of )astes, )hile )aste minimi3ation refers to
reducing the volume or to4icity of ha3ardous )astes .y )ater recycling and reuse, and process
modifications and the .yproduct recovery as a fall out of manufacturing process creates ample scope for
revenue generation there.y offsetting the costs su.stantially'
>' The cost of effluent treatment in distilleries is li!ely to .e compensated su.stantially .y
availa.ility of methane gas' Effluent application )ill reduce the nutrient re:uirement through fertilisers'
(o)ever, high salt load, mainly potassium and sulphur, into the soil system may hamper the sustained crop
yields due to continued long2term application of effluents' Therefore the effect on crop productivity has to
.e visualised on long2term and sustaina.le .asis' 6pplication of post methanation effluent suita.ly diluted
according to crop re:uirements and soil conditions seems to .e via.le alternative' If all the distilleries
present in India resort to .iomethanation, then appro4imately #'? million cu.ic metres of .iogas shall .e generated
per day, )ith a calorific value of appro4imately ;??? Ecal9m' This is e:uivalent to saving of ##$? tonnes of
coal per day, in turn avoi di ng C- of a.out 8,?? tonnes per day'
,?' The present study coupled )ith the corresponding techno mar!et survey has .een aimed at
revie)ing the e4isting technological status of treatment and disposal of distillery spent)ash in our country
and comparing )ith that of the contemporary international technologies, thus identifying the gaps in the
technologies and suggesting an action plan for overcoming these' Some relative issues in the areas of
:uality criteria )ith respect to gaps in technologies and financial implication in implementing the
technological options, has .een highlighted in this study' It has to .e stressed that recovery from the
distillery effluents is a .etter )ay to reduce the cost of )aste)ater treatment for decreasing its pollution
level )hich is actually a very costly affair' So this is a matter great importance for the Indian distilleries
and .re)eries' Harious recommendations are given for the esta.lishment of recovery plants in India' It has
also .een elucidated during the study that several technological options that are availa.le in our country
need to .e e4ploited to the ma4imum so that, this )ill help to control the pollution created .y the distillery
)aste)aters and also ena.le to derive .y2products )hich are commercially .eneficial'
RE%ERENCES
CPC< Parivesh 1e)s Cetters'
Hen!ites)aran, S'C' (,>D%) Effluents from Distilleries' Chemical 0ee!ly 6nnual 1um.er, &;'
Cha!ra.arty, '1', M @anagement of Sugar and 6lcohol Industry 0astes 2 Pollution Control and Conservation of Energy
and Aertili3erM, Proc' Symp' Disposal of Sugar and Distillery 0astes, *'P' 0ater Pollution Control <oard, Cuc!no) , 6pril ,>D?'
Directory of Indian Distilleries, 6ll India DistillersI 6ssociation, 1e) Delhi'
Cha!ra.arty, '1' and <has!aran, T'', M ecovery of Potassium Salts form Spent 0ash of @olasses DistilleryM, For' Institute
of Engineers (India), Hol' NCHI, 1o',?, Pt C(8'
Falgaon!ar, 6'D', MPo)er =eneration Arom Distillery Spent 0ashM, Chemical Industry Digest, $th Ouarter I>8 (Decem.er)'
a5u, H'S', His)anathan, C',MDistillery Effluent Treatment 0ith Energy ecoveryM, Chemical Industry Digest, $th Ouarter I>8
(Decem.er)'
Cha!ra.arty, '1' and <has!aran, T'', M*tilisation of Ci:uid 0astes from @olasses Distillery for ecovery of Potassium SaltsM,
Special eport Series 1o' $>, Indian Council of @edical esearch, 1e) Delhi, ,>&$'
MComposting of Distillery Effluent *sing <agasse CilloM, Tech @onitor, Fanuary2Ae.ruary, ,>>$'
Cha!ra.arty, '1', Sen, <'P', Trivedi, 'C' and <has!aran, T'', MPilot Plant for Treatment of Distillery 0astes at
=olago!arnathMt eport of 6ll India Inst' (yg' and Pu.' (ealth, Calcutta, ,>&$'
<asu, <'S'E', @eshram, S'E' and Hen!atesh, E'H', M6nalysis of Performance of IED6 Sponsored <io2@ethanation
Pro5ects and Their Impact 6ssessmentM, IED6 1e)s, Hol' ;, 1o' $, ,>>$'
MThe =uide for Treatment of Distillery EffluentsM, Indian Standards 8?8#2,>%&, I'S'I'
ao, P'E', MSugarcane @icro.es can ma!e Aallo)s AertileM Ainancial E4press, Tuesday, -cto.er ,;,,>>,'