Biogas production within the bioethanol production chain: Use of co-substrates for anaerobic digestion of sugar beet vinasse

Author(s)

Moraes, B. S. ^[1] ; Triolo, J. M. ^[2] ; Lecona, V. P. ^[2] ; Zaiat, M. ^[3] ; Sommer, S. G. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Brazilian Ctr Res Energy & Mat CNPEM, Brazilian Bioethanol Sci & Technol Lab CTBE, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Southern Denmark, Fac Engn, Dept Chem Engn Biotechnol & Environm Technol, DK-5230 Odense M - Denmark

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Engn Sch EESC, Ctr Res Dev & Innovat Environm Engn CPDI EA, Biol Proc Lab LPB, BR-13563120 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Bioresource Technology; v. 190, p. 227-234, AUG 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 22

Abstract

Bioethanol production generates large amounts of vinasse, which is suitable for biogas production. In this study, the anaerobic digestion of sugar beet vinasse was optimised using continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) supplemented either with lime fertiliser or with 3% cow manure. In both reactors, the C/N ratio was adjusted by adding straw. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) of vinasse was 267.4 +/- 4.5 L CH4 kg VS-1. Due to the low content of macro-and micronutrients and low C/N ratio of vinasse, biogas production failed when vinasse alone was fed to the reactor. When co-substrate was added, biogas production achieved very close to the BMP of vinasse, being 235.7 +/- 32.2 L CH4 kg VS-1 from the fertiliser supplied reactor and 265.2 +/- 26.8 L CH4 kg VS-1 in manure supplied reactor at steady state. Anaerobic digestion was the most stable when cow manure was supplied to digestion of vinasse. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/03578-3 - Anaerobic digestion of vinasse for biogas production and mitigation of greenhouse gas emission
• Grantee: Bruna de Souza Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor