Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Pressmud
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Leading Sugar Producer: Since 2021-22, India has surpassed Brazil to become the world’s leading sugar producer.
- Second-Largest Exporter: India also holds the position of the second-largest sugar exporter globally.
- Ethanol Biofuel Sector Growth: The expansion of this sector has bolstered the sugar industry and improved the financial health of sugar mills.
Pressmud: A Valuable Byproduct
- Pressmud, also known as filter cake or press cake, is an agricultural waste product from sugar production.
- It is obtained during the repeated filtration of cane juice before sugar extraction.
- Approximately 3-4 percent of press mud is produced per tonne of crushed cane.
- Traditionally, pressmud is recycled as manure through composting and supplied to local farmers.
- Recognized as a resource for green energy, pressmud can be used to produce biogas through anaerobic digestion, leading to compressed biogas (CBG) creation.
- It is beneficial for crops and horticulture due to its richness in micronutrients.
Challenges with Pressmud
- Storage Issues: Pressmud undergoes gradual decomposition, complicating long-term storage and increasing production costs.
- Price Increase: The recognition of its potential has led to a substantial rise in pressmud prices.
Pressmud as CBG Feedstock: Advantages and Challenges
- Supply Chain Simplification: Using pressmud eliminates complexities associated with agricultural residue supply chains.
- Quality and Pre-treatment: Unlike municipal solid waste, pressmud’s quality is consistent, and it lacks lignin, reducing pre-treatment costs.
- Conversion Efficiency: Pressmud is more efficient and economical as a feedstock for CBG production compared to cattle dung and agricultural residue.
- Economic and Competitive Factors: The increasing price of pressmud and competition for its use in fertilizers and bio-composting pose challenges.
Regional Production and Sugar Mills in India
- Primary Sugarcane States: Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra contribute significantly to India’s sugarcane cultivation.
- Operational Sugar Mills: As of 2022-23, India had 531 operational sugar mills.
- Sugar and Pressmud Production: The total sugar production was 32.74 million tonnes, with approximately 11.4 million tonnes of pressmud.
Potential and Future Steps
- CBG Potential: The available pressmud can generate significant quantities of CBG, valued at substantial economic returns.
- Required Interventions: To maximize this potential, states need to implement bioenergy policies, control pressmud prices, and establish long-term agreements with sugar mills.
- Research and Training: Developing storage technologies for pressmud and conducting training for CBG plant operators are essential.
Back2Basics: Sugarcane By-products
Description | Uses | |
Bagasse | Fibrous residue left after sugarcane crushing. | – Biofuel for energy production
– Raw material for paper, board, building materials |
Molasses | Thick, dark syrup produced during sugar refining. | – Alcohol production (e.g., rum)
– Sweetener in animal feed – Base for fermentation products – Ingredient in food products |
Vinasse | (Distillery Waste) Liquid waste from ethanol production using molasses. | – Liquid fertilizer
– Biogas production |
Carbon Dioxide | Gas produced during fermentation in sugar manufacturing. | – Carbonation in beverages
– Enhancing plant growth in greenhouses |
Fly Ash | Ash produced from burning bagasse. | – Material in cement and concrete
– Soil amendment in agriculture |
Heat Energy | Thermal energy generated from manufacturing processes. | – Cogeneration for electricity and heating |
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