Possibilities and Prospects Regarding Ethanol Production from Saccharin Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Abstract

Sugarcane has been used as the principal raw material for ethanol production in Brazil, and its adaptability to the country's soil and climate represents an advantage. However, because of the high demand for fuel, coupled with the low production of off-season ethanol from sugarcane, it is necessary to search for other raw materials, such as sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. In addition to possessing characteristics similar to those of sugarcane, it can be cultivated in the off-season, thereby ensuring ethanol production throughout the year. This production would boost the regional economy, which is based on ethanol production from sugarcane. The present study proposes the establishment of an industry for the production of ethanol from saccharin sorghum to be implemented in the region of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. The estimated production of the industry proposed is 500,000 tons of saccharin sorghum per crop. Considering the consumption of approximately 202.25 tons/h, the production of 20 million liters of ethanol could be obtained at the end of the harvest. The company will have a staff of 300 employees, and the implementation at the productive, commercial, safety and environmental levels has been planned in accordance with the appropriate regulations related to the type of industry proposed.