The narrative provides a detailed account of a visit to the first ethanol producer in the world, SS, located in Brazil's Mato Grosso state. The process of producing ethanol from corn is described in detail, emphasizing the efficiency and automation of the industry.
The narrative begins by stating that corn ethanol production is not limited to sugar cane, and proceeds to describe SS, a fully automated industry that produces 100% ethanol from corn. The narrative highlights the state of Mato Grosso as the largest producer of agroindustry in Brazil, moving more than 200 billion reais annually.
The journey begins at a farm where corn grains, the raw material, are collected. The corn is then transported to the industrial plant where it is stored. The corn is ground and mixed with water and enzymes to break down the starch into sugar. The mixture is then cooked to create a type of polenta. The solid part is separated and used to form a fermented solid substance (FS), which is used to feed cattle.
The starch-turned-sugar mixture is then fermented to produce ethanol. The process is similar to the fermentation of drinks, with microorganisms consuming the sugar and transforming it into ethanol. The fermented mixture, known as "corn beer," is then distilled to extract the ethanol. The process takes over 60 hours to complete, and the final product is a mixture of ethanol and water. The ethanol is then purified through distillation.
The narrative also highlights the importance of work safety in the industry, mentioning the use of protective equipment and work exercises to prevent injuries. The narrative concludes by stating that the ethanol production process not only produces a valuable product but also generates heat and electricity, demonstrating the potential for sustainable and efficient energy production.
1. The text discusses an industry that produces corn ethanol, a process not limited to sugar cane.
2. The first ethanol producer in the world is in Brazil, using 100% corn.
3. The industry is fully automated and uses cutting-edge technology.
4. The corn is transformed into biofuel and also used as a raw material for animal feed and electricity.
5. The unit being visited is located in Mato Grosso, Lucas do Rio Verde.
6. The state of Mato Grosso is the largest producer of agroindustry in the country, moving more than 200 billion reais.
7. The corn used is a second crop, planted after soybeans, and is used to prepare the land for the next plantation.
8. The corn is stored for a while before being used in the industrial plant.
9. The corn is ground finely, mixed with water and enzymes to break down starch into sugar.
10. The mixture is cooked to form a kind of polenta, which undergoes fermentation to turn into ethanol.
11. The solid part of the corn is not discarded, but is used as a raw material for animal feed.
12. The water used in the process is purified and used for irrigation, preventing dirty water from being discharged into the environment.
13. The starch has already turned into sugar, but what is really wanted is ethanol. This requires a fermentation process.
14. The fermentation process takes more than 60 hours to complete.
15. The ethanol is extracted from the fermented mixture using distillation.
16. The distillation process is similar to what is used for drinks, where microorganisms eat the sugar and transform it into ethanol.
17. The distillation process takes about 60 hours to complete.
18. The distilled ethanol is then purified to a high percentage of ethanol (96%) and only 4% water.
19. The distillation process generates a product that is used to feed cattle and to manufacture biodiesel.
20. The factory uses biomass from plants such as eucalyptus, rice husk, sawdust from the wood industry, and other waste materials to generate heat and electrical energy. The carbon dioxide generated from this process is absorbed by the plants in photosynthesis.