Information on where press mud is a major by product and its uses:
Information on where press mud is a major by product and its uses:
- Press mud, also known as filter cake or press cake, is a residual byproduct in the sugar industry. It plays a crucial role in sustainable energy production. Let’s delve into how press mud pellets are made and their significance:
- Press Mud as a Valuable Resource for Green Energy:
- Press mud is typically a byproduct, comprising around 3-4% of the weight of processed sugarcane.
- It serves as an excellent feedstock for biogas production through anaerobic digestion, leading to the creation of compressed biogas (CBG).
- Utilizing press mud for CBG production offers several advantages:
- Simplified Feedstock Supply Chain: Unlike agricultural residue, press mud eliminates complexities associated with feedstock supply chains.
- Single-Source Sourcing: The feedstock comes from one or two producers or sugar mills, streamlining procurement.
- Quality Assurance: Press mud’s consistent quality reduces concerns about inorganic material damaging anaerobic digesters.
- Cost-Effective: Press mud proves more economical than other feedstocks, requiring less input for the same gas output.
- Challenges and Considerations:
- Rising Prices: Press mud prices have surged from Rs 100 per tonne to Rs 500-600 per tonne over the last two years.
- Competition for Use: Press mud competes for use as fertilizer, in bio-composting, and as fuel in brick kilns.
- Storage Challenges: Storing press mud throughout the year, especially when sugar mills operate seasonally, poses challenges due to gradual decomposition, increasing production costs.
- Regional Production and Potential:
- Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, primary sugarcane-growing states, contribute to approximately 65% of the total sugarcane cultivation area.
- In 2022-23, 11.4 million tonnes of press mud were generated, which has the potential to produce 460,000 tonnes of CBG, valued at Rs 2,484 crore.
- Unlocking the Full Potential of Press Mud:
- To fully unlock the potential of press mud, several interventions are necessary:
- Bioenergy Policies: States with high CBG potential should implement bioenergy policies to streamline project approval processes and provide incentives.
- To fully unlock the potential of press mud, several interventions are necessary:
In summary, press mud, once considered waste, now contributes significantly to sustainable energy production and the financial well-being of sugar mills in India. 🌱🔥