History of Distillery Effluent Treatment
Norms and Present (CREP) Status
D. A. Patil
Scientist
Department of Alcohol Technology
Vasantdada Sugar Institute,
Manjari (Bk.), Pune 412 307, India.
www.vsisugar.com
Molasses is the major raw material used for alcohol
production.
Distilleries are classified under ‘Red Category’.
The waste generated from molasses based distilleries is called
Spent wash or vinasse.
As per CREP norms, all distilleries in the country are
required to achieve ‘Zero Liquid Discharge’.
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Typical composition of spent wash
Sr. No. Parameters Test values
1 Volume, Lit./lit. of Alcohol 10.0
2 pH 3.8 – 4.3
3 BOD 50000 - 65000
4 COD 120000 - 130000
5 Total solids 130000 - 160000
6 Chlorides 6000 - 75000
7 Sulphates 4500 - 8500
8 Total nitrogen 1000 - 1400
9 Potassium 10000 - 14000
10 Sodium 1400 -1500
11 Calcium 4500 - 6000
Note: All values from Sr. No. 3 to 11 are in mg/lit.
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Alcohol production and spent wash
generation
Sr. No. Particulars
1 Number of Molasses based Distilleries in the 400
Country
2 Total installed capacity, million litres/Annum 4450
3 Alcohol production, million litres/Annum 2500
4 Spent wash Generation, million litres/Annum 30,000
(Considering 12 Lit./Lit. of Alcohol Production)
5 Spent wash Generation, million litres/Day 100
(Considering 12 Lit./Lit. of Alcohol Production)
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Fermentation Industry : Effluent Discharge Standards
(Distilleries & Breweries)
As notified under the Environment (Protection) Rule, 1986
Sr. Parameter Range
No.
1 pH 5.5- 9.0
2 Colour & Odour Absent
3 BOD3 (at 27oC, 3 days) mgs/L Max.
Disposal into land surface water/ rivers/ 30
streams
Disposal on land or for irrigation. 100
4 Suspended solids, mg/L Max. 100
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Development of treatment Standards
In the early years of 1960 Sugar mills faced the
problem of disposal of molasses.
Sugar mills was adopted fermentation and
distillation process for alcohol production and
spent wash generated was allowed to store in
lagoons with solar pits for drying. Dried cake was
used as manure.
After 1974-75 the concept of anaerobic
impervious lagoon followed by solar pits or
dilution with irrigation water for use on
agriculture was adopted with BOD standard of
500 mg/l.
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Around 1980 anaerobic digester technology was
adopted by the distilleries as a primary treatment
method.
In 1985, composting was adopted for disposal of
spent wash using pressmud as filler material by
the distilleries.
In 1991 concept of bio-digester followed by
composting with press mud was adopted.
In the year 2003, Corporate Responsibility for
Environment Protection (CREP) norms for zero
discharge of effluent was introduced by CPCB.
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In 2006, specification for construction of
impervious spent wash holding tanks and
compost yard were prepared. Distilleries in the
country were instructed to construct same in
time bound programme.
In 2007, under the supervision of agricultural
university the project of controlled ferti-
irrigation to ascertain the effect of land
application for 3 years period was undertaken
by the distilleries.
In 2008, stand alone distilleries were
prohibited to adopt one time controlled land
application and ferti-irrigation and made it
mandatory to adopt concentration and
incineration of spent wash for treatment and
disposal of spent wash.
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Protocols/ Guidelines related to Treatment &
Disposal options for distillery effluent
(CREP) Conditions for existing molasses based
distilleries.
As per the CREP norms (2003) Distillery Industry has
to achieve zero discharge of spent wash in inland
surface water course by December 2005 with or in
combination of the following measures:
1. Compost making with pressmud/ agricultural
residue/municipal waste
2. Concentration and drying/incineration
3. Treatment of spent wash through Biomethanation followed
by two stage secondary treatment followed by ferti-
irrigation as per CPCB/MoEF norms.
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4. Treatment of spent wash through Biomethanation
followed by secondary treatment (BOD<2500
mg/lit.) for controlled discharge into sea through
a proper submerged marine outfall at a point
permitted by SPCB/CPCB in consultation with
National institute of Oceanography (NIO).
5. For taking decision on feasibility of one time
controlled land application of treated effluent, a
study will be under taken within 3 months
Road map for utilization of spent wash:
50 % Utilization of spent wash : By March 2004
75 % Utilization of spent wash : By March 2005
100 % Utilization of spent wash : By December 2005
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Spent wash Generation Based On Fermentation &
Distillation Technology Adopted
Sr. Fermentation Distillation Reboiler/Evaporation S.W. Generation,
No. Technology Technology Plant Lit/Lit of Alcohol
1 Batch Atmospheric --- 14.0 – 15.0
2 Batch Atmospheric Reboiler 12.0 – 13.0
3 Batch MPR --- 11.0 – 12.0
4 Cascade MPR --- 10.0 – 11.0
Continuous
5 Biostil MPR --- 7.0 – 8.0
Continuous (SW Recycle)
6 Cascade MPR Integrated Evaporation 5.0 – 6.0
Continuous (12 % to 24 % solids)
7 Cascade MPR Integrated Evaporation + 4.0 – 5.0
Continuous MEE
(12 % to 30 % solids)
8 Cascade MPR Integrated Evaporation 4.0 – 5.0 (BMSW)
Continuous (5 % to 10 % solids)
9 Cascade MPR Integrated Evaporation + 1.8 – 2.0 (BMSW)
Continuous MEE
(5 % to 30 % solids)
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CSTR Bio-digester with Impervious 5 Days
Spent wash cooling pond
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Thermophilic bio-digester
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Protocol proposed by CPCB for utilization of distillery
effluent for making compost with pressmud
Considering the heavy rainy season from 10th -June to 10th –
September distilleries having composting process are not
permitted to operate to avoid pollution of water bodies.
Construction of impervious compost yard as per CREP norms.
Five cycles in case of 45 days composting period.
Four cycles in case of 60 days composting period.
Land required for composting – 850 MT/Acre/Cycle.
Press mud to spent wash ratio – 1:2.5 / 1: 3.5.
Working days of distillery – 270 days/Annum.
Compost Quality - Moisture: < 35%, Organic Carbon: 20-25 %
C:N ratio : <17:1, Nitrogen : 1.5-2%,
Phosphorous:1.5-2 %, Potassium: 2-3.5%
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Impervious 30 Days Spent wash holding tank
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Impervious bio-composting yard
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Impervious composting yard with
side leachate gutter
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leachate collection sump with pump
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Self propelled turning mixing machine
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Protocol proposed by Central Pollution Control
Board, New Delhi for utilization of molasses based
distillery effluent for irrigation :
The distillery shall enter into a (MoU) with a nearby Agriculture
university or institute to advise on the rate of application of
the SW.
The distillery shall prepare comprehensive irrigation plan
The distillery shall keep a record of such application
using a Transit Card giving the following details:
1. Tanker/lorry number
2. Date and time of loading and unloading
3. Destination/field address
4. Name of receiving person
5. Distance traveled
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SW Land Application
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Protocols/ Guidelines related to Treatment &
Disposal options for distillery effluent
CPCB Resolution (June 2008)
New stand alone Distilleries:
Concentration – incineration system
New Distilleries attached to Sugar mill :
Bio-methanation followed by bio-composting
Concentration– incineration system {Reboiler/
Evaporation/ Concentration followed by incineration of
concentrated spent wash in boiler (for power generation)}
Existing standalone Distilleries (expansion):
Concentration – incineration system
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Protocols/ Guidelines related to Treatment &
Disposal options for distillery effluent
CPCB Resolution (June 2008):
Distilleries (both standalone and attached to
Sugar mills) not complying with the required
environmental standards to switch over to
emerging technologies from existing
technologies.
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Co-Processing of Distillery concentrated
Spent wash in Cement/Power plants
Industry (CPCB, 2010)
Co-processing of molasses based distillery
concentrated spent wash in Cement Kilns,
furnaces of Thermal Power Plants/ Steel
Plants, Incinerators.
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Installation of online monitoring system (2014):
CPCB has given direction to all distilleries in the
country for installation of on line monitoring system
to their effluent treatment system.
The measurement of the parameters (industry/
sector specific parameter) like flow, pH, COD, BOD,
TSS and for other consented parameters as per the
guidelines provided; before March 31, 2015.
To connect and upload the online emission and
effluent monitoring data at SPCBs and CPCB server
in a time bound manner but not later than by March
31, 2015.
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