Ethanol production from sugar cane segments in a high solids drum fermentor

Summary A successful yeast fermentation for the production of relatively high concentration of ethanol (9% w/v) was carried out using sugar cane segments. Extraction of sugar from segments occurred simultaneously with ethanol formation. The beer produced was transferred to a fresh batch of sugar cane segments and the fermentation cycle was repeated successively three times with the same beer. A high cane to water ratio was obtained in a rotating drum fermentor which allowed for a minimal amount of liquid to be used during the fermentation process.