PRODUCTION OF BIO-ALCOHOL FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

The Idea The basic idea behind this title is conservation of energy. The motive is to convert the cellulose content present in the MSW into alcohol, thereby converting MSW into higher energy content product other than directly burning in power plants.

IDEOLOGY The raw material that we have chosen for our process in MSOW i.e., municipal solid organic waste. Post exclusion of plastics from municipal solid waste, the remaining organic waste serves to be the biggest problematic issue to the municipal corporations or the local governing bodies.

At present this organic waste is either sent for disposal by land filling or used as a fuel in the power plants directly. Both these methods are economically unprofitable and environmentally unsafe. This process for conversion of MSOW into alcohol solves both the above mentioned issues.

Social Responsibility The Municipal solid waste is a very challenging issue for any municipal corporation to handle. It not only requires a wholesome amount of funds that comes from the pockets of common people, but also is a threat to the environment. Processing of this MSW in an efficient way serves the mankind both environmentally and economically.

MSOW Analysis According to data of various municipal corporations of India an average municipal waste data of urban India has been analyzed as follows: EXTRACTED WASTE PERCENTAGE (%) Wet organic material 54 Dry organic material 15 Recyclable material 19 Inert material 12

The wet and dry organics material is known to be comprised of Green waste Kitchen waste Agriculture waste Bio waste Animal and Human waste The compositional analysis of certain wastes have been described as follows: Waste Type Moisture Lignin Cellulose Green and Kitchen Waste 36 29.5 34.5 Bio Waste 90 1.6 8.4 Paper & Cardboard Waste 5 11 84

What is Cellulose? Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (C6H10O5)n, a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. It is the main constituent of plant cell walls and of vegetable fibres.

Hydrolysis of Cellulose Hydrolysis of cellulose is the degradation of cellulose by breaking the glucosidic linkages, into its glucose molecules.

Existing Process The existing method for conversion of the cellulose content of MSOW is by acid hydrolysis. In this method the MSW is firstly physically treated i.e., crushed and washed. Post the physical pre-treatment, the waste is then sent for hydrolysis by acid either H2SO4 or HCl (conc.), which breaks the glucosidic bonds of the cellulose converting into glucose alcohols.

Drawbacks The conversion of acid hydrolysis process is only mere 7-13% The residual slurry post hydrolysis is difficult to handle and further processing. The glucose alcohol and starch formed post hydrolysis are acidic in nature and hence have difficulty in fermentation.

Our Proposed Process Rather then any chemical treatment of cellulose, our process is based on bio-chemical hydrolysis of cellulose. The glucosidic bonds of cellulose can be broken by enzyme action. The same phenomena is applied in our process. We are using an enzyme named “cellulase” instead of acid for breaking the glucosodic bonds of cellulose molecules.

“Cellulase” is any enzyme that catalyze the hydrolysis reaction “Cellulase” is any enzyme that catalyze the hydrolysis reaction. Cellulase actually acts as a catalyst in the hydrolysis reaction where water breaks the glucosidic linkages of the cellulose molecules. “Cellulase” is produced by bacteria, fungi, etc. In our case we are using Trichoderma Reesei (T.reesei),

This glucose alcohols and starch content is further processed under bacterial action i.e., “Fermented” to be converted to alcohol, leaving behind the residual bottom slurry. The product of fermentation is governed by the bacteria which is used in the process. In order to produce ethanol fermentation is carried out using Saccharomyces Crevisiae and for butanol production Clostridium Acetobutylicum. After fermentation the fermented material is to be distilled for the production of ethanol or butanol.

Fig. depicting microscopic view of T.reesei The hydrolysis causes the cellulose molecules to get disintegrated into glucose alcohols and starch along with by-product such as lignin.

S. Crevisiae Clostridium Acetobutylicum

The residual bottom of hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation contains completely organic matter which will then be sent for further processing, where it is first mixed with cow dung and then treated under action of worms for making vermicompost.

Products 1.Bio-Alcohol: This is the main product of our process. Approx. Yields: The hydrolysis of MSOW yields around 10-15% glucose alcohols while 20-30% starch which on fermentation yields around 70% conversion to alcohols, i.e., an yield of 21-32% alcohol w.r.t the MSOW.

2. Vermi Compost The residual slurry or left over is being converted to vermi compost by processing using bacterial action.

Uses 1.Ethanol: It can be directly used as an replacement to denatured alcohol currently on sale in market. Other than that if fractional distillation is carried out, it can be used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry. It can be used in blending with petrol for making blended gasoline (E15 or E85). 2.Butanol: It can be used as a fuel in industries, in cosmetic manufacturing, as a solvent in pharma sector, etc.

3.Vermi Compost: This has a very profound use in agriculture industry, where it can be supplied to the govt. or society’s from where it can be sold & distributed.

Markets and Growth Potential The current Indian manufacturing capacity of ethanol is 2300 million liters out of which 822 million liters is being exported. The world scenario describes an annual difference of more than 1200 million liters in demand and supply. This product can not only be easily sold but if exported will also support the country’s economy by bring in more foreign currency.

Future Innovation and Research Application of genetic engineering for mutation of bacteria for increased enzyme production. Analysis of process on different process parameters, for maximum output. Purification of sugar alcohols for making of sorbitol, malitol, xylitol, etc.

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