In addition to its great importance for the chemical and food industries, ethanol (alcohol) is increasingly used as a fuel. The CE 640 can be used to carry out realistic experiments for the production of ethanol from starch-based feedstocks such as potatoes. The experimental plant consists of three main components: a mash tank, a fermentation tank and a distillation unit. A mixture of water, finely chopped potatoes and alpha-amylase (enzyme) is filled into the mash tank. To dissolve the tight starch chains in the potatoes, heating steam is injected into the mixture through a nozzle (gelatinization). This increases the flow resistance of the mash, which would avoid additional processes. Alpha-amylase breaks down starch chains (liquefaction) thereby reducing resistance to flow. Glucosamylase is used to convert starch to sugar (saccharification). This enzyme requires lower temperatures and pH values. The temperature is reduced by using the water cooling jacket around the mash tank, the pH value is adjusted by adding acid and caustic.

Code: CE 640