Thermophilic two-phase anaerobic digestion using an innovative fixed-bed reactor for enhanced organic matter removal and bioenergy recovery from sugarcane vinasse

Author(s)

Fuess, Lucas Tadeu ; Mazine Kiyuna, Luma Sayuri ; Nunes Ferraz Junior, Antonio Djalma ; Persinoti, Gabriela Felix ; Squina, Fabio Marcio ; Garcia, Marcelo Loureiro ; Zaiat, Marcelo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: APPLIED ENERGY; v. 189, p. 480-491, MAR 1 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 43

Abstract

This study considered the application of anaerobic digestion (AD) with phase separation combined with the use of an anaerobic structured-bed reactor (ASTBR) as the methanogenic phase for the treatment of sugarcane vinasse, a high-strength wastewater resulting from ethanol production. Two combined thermophilic acidogenic-methanogenic systems formed by one single acidogenic reactor followed by two methanogenic reactors operated in parallel were compared, namely, a conventional UASB reactor and an upflow ASTBR reactor. Increasing organic loading rate (OLR) conditions (15-30 kg COD m(-3) d(-1)) were applied to the methanogenic reactors. The results highlighted the feasibility of applying the ASTBR to vinasse, indicating a global COD removal higher than 80%. The ASTBR exhibited a stable long-term operation (240 days), even for OLR values as high as 30 kg COD m(-3) d(-1). The application of similar conditions to the UASB reactor indicated severe performance losses, leading to the accumulation of acids for every increase in the OLR. An energetic potential of 181.5 MJ for each cubic meter of vinasse was estimated from both hydrogen and methane. The provision of bicarbonate alkalinity proved to be a key factor in obtaining stable performance, offsetting the limitations of relatively low hydraulic retention times (<24 h). (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/15606-9 - Thermophilic anaerobic biodigestion of vinasse in combined acidogenic-methanogenic systems to enhance bioenergy recovery in first generation sugarcane biorefineries
• Grantee: Lucas Tadeu Fuess
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/21650-9 - Applied metagenomics for biofuels development and environmental sustainability in biorefineries based on sugarcane
• Grantee: Antônio Djalma Nunes Ferraz Júnior
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 09/15984-0 - Bioenergy production from wastewaters and environmental fitting of liquid and solid wastes generated
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/15665-8 - Structure and functional dynamics of microbial community of anaerobic digesters applied to energy recovery and environmental framework of wastes generated in bioethanol production of 1st and 2nd generation
• Grantee: Antônio Djalma Nunes Ferraz Júnior
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate