Skip to content

APPLICATIONS · BIOETHANOL PLANT

Improving efficiency in bioethanol plants: Precise online concentration measurement with MWM tec

Measure concentration during the process, use energy in a targeted manner and utilise raw materials efficiently.

In industrial bioethanol production, even minimal process deviations can often determine the economic viability of a plant. Fluctuations in raw materials, complex fermentation processes and energy-intensive thermal separation processes require comprehensive monitoring. With the highly advanced microwave measurement systems from MWM tec GmbH, you no longer control your processes reactively on the basis of laboratory samples, but proactively and in real time.

Our non-contact microwave technology continuously measures density, dry matter and substance concentration directly within the flowing medium stream – precisely, reproducibly and unaffected by optical turbidity, colouring or deposits.

Areas for optimisation along the entire value chain

The MWM tec measurement system can be seamlessly integrated into existing pipework systems and tanks. It ensures maximum transparency at the critical control points of bioethanol production:

Raw material preparation (slurry preparation)

Precise online determination of the solids content during the mashing of the cereal or sugar substrate. This ensures the optimum mixing ratio prior to liquefaction.

Fermentation process

Continuous monitoring of concentration dynamics during fermentation. The real-time data enables you to optimise yeast activity and maximise the final alcohol yield.

Distillation & Rectification

High-precision monitoring of the ethanol-water mixture in the columns. You minimise thermal energy consumption by operating the separation process precisely at the optimum operating point.

Stillage processing (DDGS)

Reliable dry solids measurement in thin and thick stillage supports energy-efficient control of downstream evaporators and dryers.

Your benefits at a glance

Challenges in the processSolution by MWM tec (MicroSinus)Your business benefits
Time-delayed laboratory samplesContinuous online process monitoringImmediate intervention in the event of process deviations
Impermeable, dense mediaWear-free microwave multi-frequency technologyNo adulteration due to optical turbidity or deposits
High energy consumption (distillation)Precisely controlled concentration measurementDrastic reduction in energy costs
Fluctuating raw material qualitiesDynamic density measurement directly in the flowMaximum bioethanol yield from biomass

MicroSinus in the process

MicroSinus at the measuring point: concentration during processing – molasses
Molasses – concentration during processingMicroSinus · Enlarge image ↗Created and edited with AI.
MicroSinus at the measuring point: dry matter in the material stream – stillage
Stillage – dry solids in the process streamMicroSinus · Enlarge image ↗Created and edited with AI.

In-line measurement for demanding process media

Whether it is mash, fermenting suspension or stillage: microwave measurement detects the medium being irradiated during the ongoing process. Calibration is tailored to the raw material, process step, concentration range and temperature. Continuous measurement values support process control between reference analyses and the demand-driven control of thermal processes.

Further applications

YOUR TRANSLATION TASK

Ready for the next step towards greater process efficiency?

As specialists in industrial microwave measurement technology, we support you from the initial feasibility study right through to the successful commissioning of your bioethanol plant. Our systems are precisely tailored to your nominal diameters, pressure ratings and communication interfaces.

Start an application enquiry ↗

← All applications