Sugarcane ethanol production generates considerable quantities of vinasse, its main wastewater. Microalgae cultivation is a promising option for effluent remediation, since the generated biomass can be feedstock for biofuel and bio-based chemical production. Due to vinasse high turbidity, pretreatment is necessary to clarify this effluent, adapting it as a mixotrophic culture medium. In this context, the present research evaluated the integrated process of electrocoagulation (EC) of sugarcane vinasse with aluminum or iron electrodes and subsequent cultivation of green microalgae Desmodesmus subspicatus. Results indicate pH neutralization and high turbidity removal efficiency by EC with both electrode materials. Aluminum EC and subsequent microalgae cultivation removed 66 and 75% of initial total organic carbon and total nitrogen, respectively, with biomass productivity of 1.45 g L-1day-1 and maximum specific growth rate of 0.095 h-1. Microalgae productivity was inferior in vinasse pretreated by iron EC, suggesting possible interference of ferric compounds in the microalgal development.
RESUMO -O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial de etanol a partir de cana-de-açúcar, sendo que este processo gera quantidades consideráveis de vinhaça, a sua principal água residuária. Devido aos grandes volumes gerados por safra, o cultivo de microalgas surge como alternativa visando a remoção de carbono e nutrientes, com obtenção de biomassa passível de aproveitamento comercial em termos de proteínas ou lipídios unicelulares. Como a vinhaça apresenta elevados teores de matéria orgânica e turbidez, faz-se necessário um pré-tratamento de forma a adequar este efluente como meio de cultivo. Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo avaliar o processo integrado de eletrocoagulação (EC) da vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar com alumínio e ferro e posterior cultivo da microalga clorofícea Desmodesmus subspicatus. Os resultados indicaram elevada eficiência de remoção da turbidez por EC, com perfis similares de crescimento da microalga na vinhaça pré-tratada, com velocidades específicas de 0,1 h -1 para EC com alumínio e ferro.
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