Techno-economic evaluation of bioenergy production from anaerobic digestion of by-products from ethanol flex plants

Autor(es)

Tena, Miriam ^[1] ; Buller, Luz S. ^[2] ; Sganzerla, William G. ^[2] ; Berni, Mauro ^[3] ; Forster-Carneiro, Tania ^[2] ; Solera, Rosario ^[1] ; Perez, Montserrat ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Cadiz, Fac Marine & Environm Sci CASEM, IVAGRO, Dept Environm Technol, Pol Rio San Pedro S-N, Cadiz 11510 - Spain

^[2] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Food Engn FEA, Monteiro Lobato St 80, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Interdisciplinary Ctr Energy Planning NIPE, Cora Coralina St 330, BR-13083896 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: FUEL; v. 309, FEB 1 2022.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Ethanol production implies in by-products generation, mainly vinasse and stillage, respectively generated from sugarcane and corn ethanol production in flex plants. Both by-products require efficient treatment routes to avoid environmental side-effects to support energy recovery. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the techno-economic potential of bioenergy (electric and thermal energy) production from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of vinasse and stillage. Three scenarios were defined: (a) Scenario 1, AD of vinasse; (b) Scenario 2, AD of stillage; and (c) Scenario 3, AD of vinasse and stillage in an integrated process. From the results, the methane production was estimated at 3.8 x 106 m3 year-1 considering the AD of stillage and vinasse in Scenario 3. The electricity and thermal energy generation was estimated as 14.61 GWh year-1 and 1.37 x 105 GJ year-1, respectively. This energy would mitigate 1096.05 and 7659.27 ton CO2eq year-1 when replacing fossil fuel energy. The profitability analysis indicated a positive net present value in the scenarios evaluated, however, the highest value was achieved for Scenario 3 (7,890,407.44 USD). For the integrated process, an internal return rate of 86.87% and a payback of 0.68 year were observed. The sensitivity analysis showed that the project profitability is highly dependent on electricity and thermal energy selling prices. In conclusion, AD demonstrated to be a feasible alternative for vinasse and stillage management in an integrated process, being a sustainable technology to the circular economy transition and energy matrix decarbonization. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 20/10323-5 - Avaliação de ciclo de vida e técnico-financeira da integração das tecnologias de digestão anaeróbia e hidrotérmica para reaproveitamento de resíduos
• Beneficiário: Luz Selene Buller
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 19/26925-7 - Desenvolvimento de um sistema automatizado para produção de precursores de biocombustíveis através da tecnologia subcrítica
• Beneficiário: William Gustavo Sganzerla
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto
• Processo FAPESP: 18/05999-0 - Waste2energy: integração das tecnologias supercrítica e digestão anaeróbia para gestão de águas e resíduos alimentares
• Beneficiário: Tânia Forster Carneiro
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 18/14938-4 - Waste2energy: integração das tecnologias supercrítica e digestão anaeróbia através de um sistema automatizado para produção de precursores de biocombustíveis
• Beneficiário: Tânia Forster Carneiro
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores - Fase 2