BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM CASSAVA AND BAGASSE BY THERMAL HYDROLYSIS PROCESS AND LOCAL YEAST FERMENTATION

Abstract

This study aims to utilize cassava and sugarcane bagasse to produce bioethanol as an environmentally-friendly alternative fuel. The raw materials were degraded by thermal hydrolysis at 145°C, 165°C, and 185°C, with the cassava to bagasse ratios at 1:2 and 1:3. The degraded material was then fermented using local yeast for 72 hours to produce bioethanol and finally, the resulting bioethanol was distilled at 85°C. The results showed that the process variables affect the yields and ethanol content produced. The best conditions were obtained in the sample with the cassava to bagasse ratio of 1:3, hydrolysis time of 120 minutes at a temperature of 185°C, and a fermentation time of 72 hours, from which the ethanol yield of 12.40% and ethanol content of 42.85% was obtained.