Abstract

The production of ethanol from brewers spent grain (BSG) commonly known as masese was
investigated. The current section of the study focused on the design of two pieces of equipment
from the production process of ethanol using BSG. The distillation column was found to be
2.33m in height, with a diameter of 0.42. The column was equipped with 8 trays. The fermenter
was calculated to have a volume of 12.94m3 and the material of construction is carbon steel.
Process control and HAZOP analysis were carried out for the designed equipmets. The location
of the plant was largely influenced by the need to minimise cost of raw material handling and
was chosen to be Southerton. A preliminary economic evaluation was conducted. The total
capital investment cost cost was found to be $2815950. Profitability analysis tools were
employed which include return on investment, breakeven point and net present value. The
project was found to have a positive NPV, a rate of return of 83% and breakeven was 37.5%
of total annual output. In view of these figures it was deemed viable.