The diagram illustrates the process of producing ethanol fuel from corn through eight distinct steps, starting from harvesting and storing corn to transporting the final product.
Overall, the process involves both physical and chemical transformations to convert corn into ethanol. It begins with the preparation of the raw material and ends with the distribution of the finished fuel.
First, corn is stored and then milled into smaller particles. After milling, water is added, and the mixture is cooked for four hours to soften the corn and activate chemical reactions. The cooked marsh is then fermented for 48 hours, making this stage the longest in the entire process.
Once fermentation is completed, the mixture is separated into a solid by-product and a liquid component. While the solid can be reused or discarded, the liquid – containing ethanol – is purified over five-hour period to ensure fuel-grade quality. Finally, the purified ethanol is stored in tanks and then transported to markets or distribution centers for commercial use.