The provided flow chart illustrates the sequential stages involved in the manufacturing of ethanol fuel using corn as the primary raw material.
Overall, the production process consists of eight distinct steps, beginning with the initial storage of corn and culminating in the transportation of the finished fuel. A notable feature of the process is the separation of the mixture into liquid and solid components during the later stages.
In the first phase, corn – which is categorized as a grain – is kept in storage before undergoing a milling process. Following this, the ground corn is cooked for a duration of four hours. During this specific stage, water is added to the mixture to facilitate the process. Once the cooking is complete, the material is transferred to the fermentation stage, a biological process that lasts for 48 hours.
After fermentation, the resulting substance enters a separation phase where it is divided into a solid by-product and a liquid. The liquid portion is then subjected to a purification process to refine it into ethanol, a procedure that takes approximately five hours. Finally, the purified ethanol is stored in large containers before being transported to its final destination.