Análise energética e ambiental pelo uso da vinhaça para geração de energia por meio da tecnologia de biodigestão anaeróbica

Abstract

The culture of sugar cane is the most important activities for the Brazilian economy, especially for the versatility in producing several products for the energetic setor and food industry, besides importante sub- products. The growth of this activities has had many environmental impacts in production and about the waste generation. One the most important waste generated is the vinasse. Vinasseis produced by the distillation of wine. For every one liter of alcohol is produced around of 10, 15 liters of vinasse. The objective of this study was to analyze the energy efficiency of vinasse during a period of 2014/2015 at the São Martinho Plant using formulas obtained from the literature on the energy balance as well as the environmental efficiency through calculations of emissions of effect gases greenhouse (CO2, SOx). The results showed a positive balance of 110 TJ / year of thermal energy and energy balance of 7.7 GWhe / year as well as the generation of 111 MWh and 4.98 MWh produced by CO2 and SOx respectively. The conclusion was that the efficiency of the vinasse is high, being considered a good alternative for its use, since in addition to minimizing the impacts generated by the waste to the environment, the greenhouse gases produced in the process are reverted as a source of energy avoiding its emission to the atmosphere.