The diagram illustrates the linear multi-stage process by which corn is converted into ethanol fuel.
Overall, the production involves a nine-step cyclical-to-linear sequence, beginning with the initial harvesting of raw corn and culminating in the delivery of finished biofuel to consumer outlets. Notably, the process requires significant time investments for cooking, fermenting, and purifying, while also yielding a solid by-product during the separation phase.
The process commences when corn is harvested and transported to a storage facility. From there, the grain undergoes milling, where it is ground into a fine consistency before being mixed with water. This mixture is then subjected to a cooking phase that lasts for approximately four hours. Once cooked, the resulting mash is moved into the fermenting stage, a time-intensive biological reaction that spans 48 hours.
Following fermentation, the substance enters the separating stage, where it is bifurcated into two distinct components: a solid by-product and a liquid base. The liquid then undergoes a meticulous purification process, taking 5 hours to reach the required fuel standard. In the final stages, the refined ethanol is moved into large-scale storage tanks or tankers before being transported to gas stations for commercial distribution.