It is usually made from cereal( such as corn , wheat,etc), or potatoes( such as sweet potatoes ,cassava,etc) and molasses. These ingredients contain rich starch or sugar,which provide the material basis for the production of ethanol. The raw materials are screened and cleaned to ensure purity.
1. The cereal or potatoes raw materials will be smashed to reduce particle size, increase their contact with water and enzymes, which is beneficial for the subsequent saccharification process.
2. The smashed raw materials are then boiled, whereby the starch is gelatinized and the plant cell structure is destroyed through the action of high temperature and pressure, making it easier for the subsequent enzymatic reaction. Boiling can be done in a continuous boil interval boil process.
1. After the mash is boiled, it is cooled to an appropriate temperature and enzymes are added. Saccharifying enzyme can break down starch into fermentable sugars,which are mainly glucose.
2. The saccharification process requires the control of temperature, pH value, and time parameters to ensure optimal saccharification results.
1. Cool the saccharified mash to the fermentation temperature, and introduce the yeast strain. Under suitable conditions, the yeast converts fermentable sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
2. The fermentation process requires the control of temperature, pH value, and ventilation rate to ensure the growth and fermentation efficiency of the yeast. The fermentation time is usually several hours to several days.
3. After the fermentation is completed, the fermented mash containing alcohol is obtained.
1. In addition to alcohol, fermentation broth contains water, organic acids, esters, etc. Alcohol can be separated from the fermentation broth by distillation.
2. Distillation is usually carried out by using continuous or interval distillation methods. Continuous distillation has the advantages of high production efficiency and stable product quality.
3. After distillation, crude alcohol is obtained. Crude alcohol still contains a small quantity of impurities that need further refining.
1. Crude alcohol is purified through distillation tower to remove impurities and improve its purity. The distillation process requires careful control of parameters inclu temperature, pressure, reflux ratio and so on.
2. After distillation, the alcohol can be further refined through adsorption, ion exchange, etc. to meet the quality standards for food-grade alcohol.
1. Refined edible alcohol is stored in tanks and kept at an appropriate temperature and humidity to prevent evaporation and metamorphism.
2. Depending on market demand, edible alcohol is packaged, with packaging forms including barrels, cans, or bottles, etc.
This is the production process of edible alcohol. In actual production, the process needs to be adjusted and optimized according to different raw materials and production requirements.