| Abstract: | The effect of disintegration severity on starch hydrolysis and ethanol production from cassava roots and stems has been evaluated. It was found that a considerable fraction of the starch in the roots was made available for hydrolysis with relatively crude processing; all such material was readily fermented. To achieve a very high fermentables yield, either very intensive processing or, preferably, a two stage process, with the second stage being applied only to the oversize material, is required. Whether it is economically viable to process the oversize material further depends on a number of site-specific factors. The two stage option appears the more attractive alternative especially in small to medium size cassava to ethanol plants because of the need to minimise power requirements and thereby steam usage. |
