The given chart illustrates the process of producing ethanol from corn.
What is most striking is that there are approximately 9 steps in the process, starting from the collection of corn from the field, and culminating with pure ethanol, ready to be transported and sold.
The initial phase entails the collection of corn, followed by its storage to maintain quality. Subsequently, the corn undergoes milling to convert it into a manageable form, after which it is combined with water and subjected to cooking for a duration of four hours. This cooking stage is essential for breaking down the starches present in corn, facilitating the fermentation process that ensues. During fermentation, which lasts for 48 hours, yeast is introduced, enabling the conversion of sugars into alcohol.
Upon completion of fermentation, the resultant mixture is processed to separate the liquid ethanol from the solid by-products. This separation is crucial, as the liquids are then subject to purification, requiring an additional five hours to ensure the removal of impurities and achieve the desired ethanol concentration. Finally, the purified ethanol is stored in anticipation of transport to gas stations, where it becomes available for consumer use.