PRODUCTION OF SPIRITS FROM SYRUP AT "HÉCTOR MOLINA RIAÑO" DISTILLERY

Abstract

Introduction:
Given the low availability of molasses, the use of sugarcane juice and syrup as alternative raw materials to molasses is being considered. At the agroindustrial sugar company "Héctor Molina Riaño", a column has been installed to produce spirits from syrup from sugarcane that is not suitable for obtaining sugar.
Objective:
To evaluate the feasibility of using syrup as an alternative raw material in the production of spirit.
Materials and methods:
Mass and energy balances were carried out in the sugar and spirit production processes using two substrates: syrup and molasses. Costs associated with the production of spirit from both materials and the negative environmental impacts were determined.
Results and discussion:
It was established that for a production capacity of 100 hL/d, 368.05 kg/h of spirit was obtained and a steam consumption saving of 76 475 031 t/year in obtaining molasses of 76 475 031 t/year in the sugar production process. It was obtained that, using molasses, the process was feasible with a profit of 502 549 438 CUP/year. A saving in dilution water and fuel consumption of 20 160 m3/year and 143 385 t/year respectively, and a reduction in CO2 production of more than 6% was reported.
Conclusions:
It is feasible to use syrup instead of molasses to produce spirit, making use of the backward cane, consuming less fuel, and reducing gas emissions to the atmosphere.