Como é feito ETANOL de MILHO #Boravê

Summary

This video explores the innovative process of producing ethanol from corn in Mato Grosso, Brazil, showcasing a highly automated, sustainable industrial system. It highlights the transformation of corn into ethanol, animal feed, and energy while emphasizing the efficient use of resources, such as biogas and biomass. Viewers learn how advanced technology and skilled labor, supported by local institutions like SENAI, drive the growth of agro-industries in the region. The process maximizes the use of every part of the corn, proving that eco-friendly production and industrialization can go hand-in-hand.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first ethanol plant in Brazil that produces ethanol from corn, not just sugarcane, uses cutting-edge automation and technology.
• 😀 Mato Grosso is Brazil's largest producer of agro-industrial products, with a focus on technology and innovation in agriculture.
• 😀 The corn used for ethanol production is second-safra corn, planted after soybean harvest, often used for animal feed before the industry’s involvement.
• 😀 The process of converting corn into ethanol involves first turning its starch (70%) into sugar, through grinding, mixing with water, and enzymes.
• 😀 The solid part of the corn (fibers and hulls) is not wasted; it is used for animal feed in two forms: FS (wet) and FS gold (dry).
• 😀 The company utilizes a complete cycle where animal manure is used to produce biogas, which powers a power plant that generates electricity for the facility.
• 😀 The ethanol production process closely resembles fermentation in beverage-making, with microorganisms consuming sugar and turning it into ethanol over 60+ hours.
• 😀 At the end of fermentation, the product is a 'corn beer,' which contains 17% alcohol, and is later distilled to extract pure ethanol.
• 😀 Ethanol produced from corn is first around 75% alcohol, and further distillation brings the ethanol concentration to 96%, suitable for fuel.
• 😀 The facility also produces three other products from corn, including animal feed and biodiesel, demonstrating a 100% utilization of the corn without waste.
• 😀 The power for the production process is generated from biomass materials like eucalyptus, rice husks, and wood industry waste, making the operation sustainable and reducing environmental impact.

Q & A

What is the main source of ethanol production at the SS industry in Brazil?

The main source of ethanol production at SS is corn, not sugarcane, which is commonly used in other parts of Brazil.

What makes the ethanol production process from corn different from that of sugarcane?

Corn contains starch, which must first be converted into sugar before fermentation to produce ethanol, unlike sugarcane, which already contains sugar.

How does SS’s ethanol production contribute to the agricultural industry?

The ethanol production from corn at SS also produces animal feed and electricity, contributing to the agro-industry and reducing waste.

Where is SS’s ethanol production facility located?

SS’s facility is located in Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

What is the role of Mato Grosso in Brazil’s agro-industry?

Mato Grosso is the largest producer in Brazil’s agro-industry, contributing over 200 billion reais annually through its production of soybeans, corn, and other agricultural goods.

What is FS, and how is it used in the production process?

FS (fermented solids) is the by-product of corn processing. Some of it is used as animal feed, and some is dried to form FS Gold, both of which are rich in protein and beneficial for livestock.

How does the industry manage waste and environmental sustainability?

The industry recycles waste by converting manure into biogas, which is used to generate electricity. The water used in the process is also purified and reused for irrigation, minimizing environmental impact.

What is the significance of the fermentation process in ethanol production?

During fermentation, microorganisms convert the sugar from the corn mash into ethanol, a process that takes over 60 hours and results in a product known as 'corn beer' which contains about 17% alcohol.

How is ethanol separated from the fermentation mixture?

Ethanol is separated from the fermentation mixture through distillation, where the liquid is heated to separate the alcohol from the water, resulting in a high-purity ethanol product.

How does SS’s energy production system work, and what makes it sustainable?

SS’s energy system relies on biomass (such as eucalyptus, rice husks, and wood residue) which is burned in boilers to generate heat and electricity. This system is considered sustainable because the carbon dioxide produced is reabsorbed by plants, creating a closed carbon cycle.