Evaluation of waste treatment and minimization technologies in sugar and distillery sector : A case study
Student name: Ms C. Sita Lakshmi
Guide: Dr Prateek Sharma
Year of completion: 2009
Host Organisation: J.M. EnviroNet Pvt. Ltd.
Abstract: Sugar industry is one of the most advanced agro-based industries in India, which also happens to be the world’s largest producer as well as consumer of sugar. Sugar manufacturing unit and distilleries are also known to be one of the most polluting industries. But not all the waste streams emanating from it are polluting, with bagasse, molasses and press mud as sugar industry’s main wastes, it has been long integrated with distilleries and co-generation plants which allow utilization of molasses for alcohol production and waste-to-energy generation from bagasse respectively. Distilleries produce effluent of high organic loading (spent wash) which pose a major challenge for environment. With the rapid growth witnessed in this sector the issue of handling the wastes has become of utmost importance for the scientific world at large. In this study, after the analysis of existing technologies and of those in various stages of research and development, preparation of a roadmap was envisaged for evaluating the waste treatment technologies being used in the selected case study (integrated sugar mill, distillery and co-generation power plant). Ultimately after site visits, discussions with industry personnel and experts in the technology providing sector, a comprehensive roadmap was developed.
However only two waste streams (namely bagasse and spent wash) were considered in the last level of roadmap, since a roadmap inclusive of all waste streams would be very extensive and complicated. Overall three intervention points were sought in sugar and distillery unit together. For each intervention point a set of initiatives were suggested, which were then discussed in detail in a result matrix using factors like cost, effect on environment, effect on waste streams and other limitations. This roadmap can serve as an aid in environmental management plan of the industry as an important decision making tool, strategic planning tool or to bring about improvements in the existing technologies.
Key Words: Sugar, Waste-to-energy, Roadmap, Bagasse, and Spent wash.
