Distillieries - Environmental Clearance

DistilleriesMost of the distilleries in the country fall under small and medium groups. Among largescale distilleries a number have a capacity in the range of 10,000 - 15,000 kL/annum, andthere are even two distilleries having capacity of the order of 15,000 - 20,000 kL/annum.The main effluent discharge from the distilleries is spent wash, a continuous processstream, and its volume is practically proportional to the RS production, since the alcoholcontent achieved in the fermenter is more or less standard. The fermenter sludge, spentlees and wash water are also more or less proportional to alcohol production.Based on the production capacities of existing distilleries and the above discussions, twomodel cases i.e., 5,000 kL of RS/annum and 10,000 kL of RS/annum are selected fordesigning the treatment schemes and estimating the cost thereof. The total effluentvolume treated in the proposed treatment schemes for the two model cases are presentedhere along with the principal characteristics.Table 3-14: Total Effluent Volume Proposed for TreatmentCapacity ofProductionin kL/annumSpent wash+Fermenter WashWater Flow in m 3 / dayTotal Volume ofEffluent Treatedin m 3 /dayBOD5 inmg/lSuspendedSolids in mg/l5,000 200 200 60,000 14,00010,000 400 400 60,000 14,0003.11.1 Treatment schemesAs per the MoEF Guidelines, following options can be adopted for the treatment ofeffluent from distillery units.Anaerobic digestion followed by evaporation and composting (if the distillery unit isattached to sugar unit)Concentration and burning in a boiler for standard distilleries.3.12 Summary of Applicable National RegulationsThere are well-defined regulatory requirements, which imply that the government mustregulate various aspects of the operations and construction of distillery units to reducetheir environmental and social impacts.3.12.1 General description of major statutesA comprehensive list of legal instruments applicable to distilleries is annexed asAnnexure II.3.12.2 General standards for discharge of environmental pollutantsList of general standards for discharge of environmental pollutants as per CPCB is givenin Annexure III.TGM for Distillery Industry 3-40 August 2010