A spatially explicit assessment of sugarcane vinasse as a sustainable by-product

Abstract

This study evaluates the benefits of mineral fertilizers replacement for biodigested vinasse. Data from experimental anaerobic digestion (AD) of vinasse were applied to support the analysis. Based on previous experiments, this assessment assumed that vinasse production could reach 2.38 × 10 7 m 3 /year generating around 66,585 MWh/year of electric energy from biogas burning in the Administrative Region of Campinas (ARC). This amount of energy could supply more than 103,000 inhabitants and avoid 35,892 tCO 2eq /year (from electric energy replacement). The biodigested vinasse might also reduce the total N, P, and K mineral fertilizers demand per hectare of sugarcane crop in 30%, 1%, and 46%, respectively, avoiding additional greenhouse gas emissions of 111,877 tCO 2 eq/year. There is no biodigested vinasse surplus for a moderate fertigation rate of 100 m 3 /ha, complying with local environmental laws related to nutrients excess side effects in areas destined to sugarcane crop. Notwithstanding, a Geographic Information System analysis for a small adjacent area to ARC indicated nine different fertigation rates, ranging from 50 to 100 m 3 /ha. Even though the general analysis for ARC shows high NPK replacement levels, the fertigation practices should be subsidized for robust soil analysis and adequate to safe environmental levels. A management tool can be designed using the results here presented to subsidize investments for AD widespread adoption by the sugarcane industry to catch a reasonable practice from the economic and environmental perspectives.

Fusel Oil: Chemical Composition and an Overview of Its Potential Application

“…3,30 Vinasse is considered an aqueous by-product of ethanol production that corresponds to about 10 to 15 times the volume of ethanol produced, which is used as fertilizer and source of energy in distilleries. 31 The phlegm is destined for the second set formed by two columns called rectification. In this step, hydrated ethanol (92.5-94.6 wt.%) is produced at the top of the upper column and the remaining water is removed at the bottom of the lower column.…”

Sustainable valorization of apple waste in a biorefinery: a bibliometric analysis

“…Hence, methods to reduce, reuse and recycle wastes have become a strong strategy for the circular economy transition of the food industry 4,7 . Thereby, the design of innovative green processes should approach the treatment and valorization of organic waste into low‐GHG products, such as biofuels and bioenergy 8,9 . For instance, consolidated biological waste management technology (i.e.…”

“…Also, the pretreatment of lignocellulosic material could provide opportunities for bio‐based product recovery, such as organic acids, monosaccharides and phenolic compounds 12,13 . Through intensifying and implementing innovative eco‐friendly technological routes, the food industry can decrease its GHG emissions and contribute to environmental development based on bioeconomy 8 …”

“…4,7 Thereby, the design of innovative green processes should approach the treatment and valorization of organic waste into low-GHG products, such as biofuels and bioenergy. 8,9 For instance, consolidated biological waste management technology (i.e. anaerobic digestion) can feasibly be implemented to convert raw solid organic wastes into methane-rich biogas and fertilizer.…”

“…12,13 Through intensifying and implementing innovative eco-friendly technological routes, the food industry can decrease its GHG emissions and contribute to environmental development based on bioeconomy. 8 Apple is one of the most consumed fruits worldwide. 14 The world's annual production of apples reached 87.24 × 10 6 tons in 2019, with an increased rate of 22.5% from 2010 to 2019.…”