Energy reduction in distillation for bioethanol plants

The separation of ethanol from the alcoholic mash by distillation is an intensive energy consuming step. Modern distillation schemes employed for producing bioethanol from sugar beet and grain products currently employ approximately 50% less steam than typical sugar cane distilleries. Some of the modern distillation schemes are described and the main parameters are highlighted. The technology is available on the market and will be applied in new bioethanol plants in Europe and elsewhere. Some suggestions on improving the typical "cane distillation scheme" are made with a view of reducing significantly its steam consumption.