How alcohol is made from Sugarcane in Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, alcohol (also called as daru in Marathi) is primarily produced in sugar (Sakhar in Marathi) factories through a process called molasses fermentation. The production of alcohol in sugar factories is a byproduct of the sugar-making process.

Here's an overview of how alcohol is made in sugar factories in Maharashtra.

1. Sugar Cane Crushing: The process begins with the crushing of sugar cane to extract the sugary juice from it. This juice is known as "sugarcane juice" or "sugar cane syrup."

2. Sugar Extraction: The sugar cane juice undergoes various steps to extract crystalline sugar. The extracted sugar is separated, leaving behind a byproduct known as "molasses."

3. Molasses Collection: Molasses is a dark, thick, and syrupy residue left after the sugar extraction process. It contains residual sugars, water, and various organic compounds, making it an ideal raw material for alcohol production.

4. Fermentation: The collected molasses are transferred to fermentation tanks. In these tanks, yeast is added to the molasses. Yeast is a microorganism that consumes the sugars present in the molasses and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide through a process called fermentation.

5. Distillation: After fermentation, the mixture, now containing alcohol along with impurities and water, is subjected to distillation. Distillation is a process that separates alcohol from the other components in the mixture based on their boiling points. The alcohol is vaporized and then condensed back into a liquid form.

6. Rectification and Purification: The distilled alcohol may undergo further purification through a process called rectification to remove any remaining impurities and increase its alcohol content. This step ensures that the alcohol meets the required quality standards.

7. Storage and Packaging: The final distilled and purified alcohol is stored in containers like stainless steel tanks or barrels for aging or bottled for immediate use. Depending on the end product, the alcohol can be packaged as rectified spirit, ethanol, or used for various industrial purposes.

It's important to note that the production of alcohol in sugar factories is subject to government regulations and licenses. The authorities closely monitor the production and distribution of alcohol to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards and prevent its misuse.