Introduction to Bioethanol and Purification (Yeast)Bioethanol is a type of biofuel, commonly known as ethanol fuel or ethanol. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is composed of two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, having a chemical formula C2H5OH. Ethanol is a clear, colorless, volatile and flammable liquid (burns when heated) because its boiling point is low, at 78°C. Over the years, bioethanol has been produced to reduce or replace the use of gasoline (petrol). Ethanol is often used in alcoholic beverages, as a solvent for explosives, cosmetics and perfumes, or even as a fuel in its own right. Ethanol can be obtained from the fermentation of plant sugars (simple sugars) and starches (complex sugars) such as sugar cane, corn and potatoes, in the presence of yeast. Yeast is a eukaryotic, unicellular organism belonging to the kingdom of fungi called the taxonomic group. . Yeast is a chemoorganotrophic organism that depends on other organic chemicals such as glucose and acetate for its carbon and energy. There are different types of yeast species, but only a handful of them are of any value to the fuel alcohol producer. Yeast is often used in the production of alcohol and for baking purposes. The reaction by which an alcoholic beverage is produced is known as fermentation. The overall reaction can be shown below: C6H12O6 2 C2H5OH + 2 CO2Process evaluation1. Process flow diagram2. Bioethanol production process and purification2.1 GrindingThe sugarcane is first delivered to the mill or crushing system and the sugarcane is chopped and shredded. The sugar cane is crushed by rollers to let its juice flow. The sugarcane juice is then mixed with water. Sugar cane......middle of paper......e-change/biofuels-alternative-energy-transport/biofuels/raizen/sugar-cane-to-ethanol-animation/accessible.htmlSparkNotes LLC. (2014). Glycolysis. Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/cellrespiration/glycolysis/section3.rhtmlWikipedia. (2014, May). Ethanol. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol#HistoryChemhelper. Distilling Guide. Retrieved from http://www.chemhelper.com/distillation.htmlWiseGeek, Conjecture Corporation. (2003-2014). What is extractive distillation? Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-extractive-distillation.htm#didyouknowoutPaturau, JM Alternative uses of sugarcane and its by-products in agro-industries. Retrieved from www.fao.org/docrep/003/s8850e/s8850e03.htmDiwan, JJ (1998-2007). Glycolysis and fermentation. Retrieved from http://www.rpi.edu/dept/bcbp/molbiochem/MBWeb/mb1/part2/glycolysis.htm