University of Manchester students win Cargill challenge to solve ethanol production problem

In the UK, students Rachana Halasabele and Alessia Xu from The University of Manchester in the UK recently triumphed with their innovative and practical winning solution to a real-life industry problem set by Cargill’s ethanol experts at their starches and sweeteners plant in Trafford Park, Manchester. The UK-wide competition, open to all Universities, is the first of its kind for Cargill in the UK and awarded the winning second year students with a cash bursary of GBP1,200.

The real-life food industry problem which they had to solve: to reduce the effect of acetic bacteria in the fermentation process and solutions around infection growth and control in ethanol production. Rachana and Alessia, both chemical engineering students, presented the winning idea during a tough pitching process in front of six Cargill judges and facing strong competition from three other teams.

Their pitch: a combination of long and short-term solutions including the use of oxidisers, hop extract supplementation and providing the yeast with nutrients. They also suggested a new cleaning procedure involving stabilized chlorine dioxide instead of bleach.