With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Statement 1 is correct. Bagasse: This fibrous residue left after sugarcane juice extraction is a valuable biomass fuel. It can be burned to generate electricity or heat, often powering the sugar mills themselves. Statement 2 is incorrect. Synthetic Fertilizers: Molasses don't directly contribute to the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers. These fertilizers are typically manufactured using chemical processes involving elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Statement 3 is correct. Molasses: While molasses isn't directly used to produce synthetic fertilizers, it can be fermented to create ethanol, a biofuel. Ethanol can be used as a transportation fuel or blended with gasoline. Thus, statements 1 & 3 are correct while statement 2 is wrong.