Chemicals

The chemical complexes established by Dhampur were conceived as a synergic system to utilize sugar mill by-product, namely Molasses. It is a thick syrupy by-product of the sugar manufacturing process. The quality of Molasses depends on maturity of the sugarcane, the amount of sugar extracted and the method of extraction. This product is also responsible for the production of Fuel Ethanol (Link) and several other chemicals.

The chemical complex at the Dhampur facility, consists of a distillery capable of producing 51 million liters of alcohol per annum (170 Kilo Liters of alcohol per day ). This includes 18 million liters of Extra Neutral Alcohol (60 Kilo Liters per day) and 300 million liters of Anhydrous Alcohol (100 Kilo Liters per day) and a 20 MT Carbon Dioxide plant. The other part of the chemical complex is the alcohol based value added chemicals section. The alco-chem section has been developed using in-house R&D.

INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL (SDS) is distilled ethyl alcohol, normally of high concentration, produced and sold for other than beverage purposes. It is usually distributed in the form of Pure Ethyl Alcohol, that is, completely denatured alcohol.

This alcohol is used for making chemicals such as acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate.

Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) is used as potable liquor for human consumption. Dhampur is the first in India to start commercial production of ENA by a process known as Encillium Process developed by National Physical Laboratory, Pune. All operations such as yeast growth, fermentation etcetera are done in a single vessel.

Unique design ensures trapping of Encillium in the Reactor itself and the fermented liquor is entirely free from yeast. Since the same yeast is continuously used, the sugar that is consumed by the yeast in every batch is saved and converted into alcohol.

ETHANOL is a product of sugarcane molasses and juice, prepared by fermentation and distillation processes. It is a volatile, flammable and colourless liquid, widely used as a solvent of substances intended for human contact or consumption, including fragrances, flavoring, colouring and medicines. When blended, as an additive with fuel for motor vehicles, it is known as Motor Fuel Grade Alcohol or Power Alcohol. It can be blended with petrol in varying quantities up to any extent depending upon the technology of the engine. Up to 15% blend no modifications are required in the engines.

In India we are presently using E5 that is, 5% ethanol blend with gasoline but a government order for 10% blend is expected in the near future.

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO₂) is a co-product of distillery fermentation house, recovered and purified to 99.9%. It is used in temperature control of various chemical processes and also for various chemical applications like PHBA, Salicylic Acid.

ACETALDEHYDE is obtained by continuous vapour phase oxidation of Ethanol, in presence of a silver catalyst in special catalytic Reactors.

It is used for various chemical applications such as manufacture of Vinyl Acetate Monomer, Glyoxalin, Acetic Acid, Acetic Anhydride, bulk drugs such as Metranidazole, Tinidazole etcetera.

ACETIC ACID is manufactured from Acetaldehyde by oxidizing Acetaldehyde under pressure. It is used in manufacturing Acetic Anhydride through Ketene formation and subsequent absorption.

It is used in the Textile industry and also as preservative in the food Industry. It is also used for manufacture of Acetanilide, Monochloro Acetic Acid and Sodium Acetate.

ACETIC ANHYDRIDE is the anhydrous from of Acetic Acid. It is obtained either by oxidation of Acetaldehyde (dual process) or from Acetic Acid Pyrolysis. Dhampur manufactures it through the dual process and oxidation of Acetaldehyde in presence of Copper Acetate using Cobalt Acetate as catalyst. It is a high pressure reaction in which both Acetic Acid and Acetic Anhydride are produced.

Acetic Anhydride is used in the manufacture of drugs such as Paracetamol which is a narcotic. It is also used for manufacture of MCA and Vinyl Acetate Monomer.

ETHYLE ACETATE is a solvent manufactured by chemical reaction of Ethyl Alcohol and Acetic Acid in the presence of PTSA as catalyst. The process involves reactor and series of distillation columns for purification.

This product has wide application in drug industry, ink & paint industry and in manufacture of several other chemicals.

An R&D center is in process of being set up at the Dhampur facility, which proposes to commercialize technologies developed by leading research institutions in India. It is collaborating with Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore for commercialization of technology for manufacture of Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a low calorie sweetener cum pre-biotic.