Two-stage anaerobic digestion of vinasse: advances in treating liquid and gaseous effluents in sugarcane biorefineries

• Grant number: 21/15245-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Helena Rissato Zamariolli Damianovic
• Grantee: André do Vale Borges
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/06246-7 - Biorefinery concept applied to biological wastewater treatment plants: environmental pollution control coupled with material and energy recovery, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/04885-9 - Biodesulfurization technologies applied to high-strength H2S streams evolved from sugarcane vinasse dark fermentation, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The proper management of vinasse-the primary effluent generated during sugarcane ethanol production-is critical for enabling resource recovery and minimizing environmental impacts within the scope of biorefinery operations. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a well-established technology for the treatment of organic effluents, coupling the removal of organic matter with the generation of biogas as a renewable energy source. The implementation of a two-stage AD configuration-separating the acidogenic and methanogenic phases-has demonstrated particular advantages, including mitigation of organic loading shocks, selective control of microbial communities, and reduced competition between distinct metabolic pathways such as methanogenesis and sulfidogenesis. Recent studies have confirmed the feasibility of sulfate reduction during the acidogenic stage, thereby opening new research avenues into the potential recovery of alkalinity from acidified vinasse and the underlying mechanisms of sulfide stripping. These mechanisms are especially relevant for improving biogas quality and enhancing the performance of the methanogenic phase, contributing to a more robust and efficient process. Vinasse often contains high sulfate concentrations-frequently exceeding 1,000 mg L¿¹-which promote sulfidogenic bacterial activity and lead to the release of substantial quantities of hydrogen sulfide (H¿S) in the acidogenic gas phase, with concentrations that may surpass 50,000 ppmv. This scenario poses significant challenges due to the toxicity of H¿S and its associated environmental and operational impacts. Accordingly, the objective of this project is to advance the understanding of the key processes involved in two-stage anaerobic digestion of vinasse, with a specific focus on the control of sulfidogenesis, resource recovery (energy and alkalinity), and the mitigation of gaseous emissions.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BORGES, ANDR DO VALE; FUESS, LUCAS TADEU; TAKEDA, PAULA YUMI; SAIA, FLAVIA TALARICO; ROGERI, RENAN COGHI; GREGORACCI, GUSTAVO BUENO; DAMIANOVIC, MARCIA HELENA RISSATO ZAMARIOLLI. Unleashing the full potential of vinasse fermentation in sugarcane biorefineries. RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS, v. 208, p. 16-pg., 2025-02-01. (15/06246-7, 21/15245-5)

BORGES, ANDRE DO VALE; FRANCO, ANDRES FELIPE TORRES; DAMIANOVIC, MARCIA HELENA RISSATO ZAMARIOLLI; TORRE, RAUL MUNOZ. Reducing carbon footprint in high H2S emissions: A synergistic microalgal-bacterial solution for sugarcane biorefineries. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, v. 496, p. 12-pg., 2025-09-15. (23/04885-9, 21/15245-5)