Fermentation plant consists of five fermenters with all the accessories like plate heat

exchangers for cooling, spurges, broth mixers and air blowers. The yeast is
immobilized using special media and it remains in the fermentation plant throughout
and hence it gives tremendous advantages in maintaining the yeast population and in
combating the bacterial infection. Molasses after weighing is diluted and also pre-
treated to an appropriate sugar concentration in the Molasses Treatment Plant. The
fermenters are then inoculated with culture developed from the laboratory in the
culture vessels. Dropping of culture from the laboratory was carried out in a daily
basis.
To help the fermentation sustain its viability, nitrogen are added in the medium in the
form of Urea and DAP as required. Temperature in the fermenters is maintained to
an optimum level as required for efficient reaction with the help of Plate Heat
Exchanger and recirculation pumping system. This recirculation also helps in proper
mixing of fermented wash. The retention time for the reaction is about 24 to 36
hours. Air blower is provided to supply the necessary oxygen required for the yeast
and also for agitation. After completion of reaction the fermented wash is delivered
to Continuous Stabilization Tank (CST). In CST, solids are settled down. The
supernatant goes to Buffer Tank (BT) and sludge from the bottom goes to Sludge
Decanter.
The CO2 liberated in the reaction is scrubbed in water, with the help of CO2
Scrubber. This CO2 contains ethanol, which is recovered by collecting CO2
Scrubber water into Sludge Trough. The diluted sludge is pumped into Sludge
decanter. The traces of ethanol present in diluted sludge are separated at the
supernatant, which is collected into BT through overflow, and washed sludge from
bottom is drained off.
The fermented mash collected in the Buffer Tank is feed to Distillation section.