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Energy analysis of the ethanol industry considering vinasse concentration and incineration

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  • Fukushima, Nilton Asao
  • Palacios-Bereche, Milagros Cecilia
  • Palacios-Bereche, Reynaldo
  • Nebra, Silvia Azucena

Abstract

Nowadays, the ethanol represents the most consolidated biofuel in Brazil. Despite presenting environmental advantages in comparison with non-renewable fuels, the concern for the ethanol process residues is increasing. Among these residues, the vinasse, bottom product of distillation process, is the most important since its characteristics such as BOD, acidic nature and large volume make its disposition difficult and costly. The aim of this study is the integration of a vinasse concentration and incineration system to a conventional sugar, ethanol and electricity production process. For this study, the Aspen Plus® software was used to simulate the production process. Assuming a sugar-ethanol production plant, different scenarios were analysed considering vinasse concentration with a multiple-effect evaporator system, vinasse incineration with salt recuperation, and heat integration. In scenarios that do not assumed heat integration, the main results show that vinasse incineration is necessary to contribute to the steam generation in order to cover the steam demand of the process, including the vinasse concentration. Regarding the heat integration procedure, an appropriate placement of evaporators was achieved through the reduction of the number of effects on both the vinasse and juice evaporation systems; thus promoting a meaningful reduction in the steam consumption of the integrated process.

Suggested Citation

  • Fukushima, Nilton Asao & Palacios-Bereche, Milagros Cecilia & Palacios-Bereche, Reynaldo & Nebra, Silvia Azucena, 2019. "Energy analysis of the ethanol industry considering vinasse concentration and incineration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 96-109.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:142:y:2019:i:c:p:96-109
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.04.085
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    1. Palacios-Bereche, Reynaldo & Mosqueira-Salazar, Klever Joao & Modesto, Marcelo & Ensinas, Adriano V. & Nebra, Silvia A. & Serra, Luis M. & Lozano, Miguel-Angel, 2013. "Exergetic analysis of the integrated first- and second-generation ethanol production from sugarcane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 46-61.
    2. Ensinas, A.V. & Modesto, M. & Nebra, S.A. & Serra, L., 2009. "Reduction of irreversibility generation in sugar and ethanol production from sugarcane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 680-688.
    3. Dias, Marina O.S. & Modesto, Marcelo & Ensinas, Adriano V. & Nebra, Silvia A. & Filho, Rubens Maciel & Rossell, Carlos E.V., 2011. "Improving bioethanol production from sugarcane: evaluation of distillation, thermal integration and cogeneration systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 3691-3703.
    4. Pina, Eduardo A. & Palacios-Bereche, Reynaldo & Chavez-Rodriguez, Mauro F. & Ensinas, Adriano V. & Modesto, Marcelo & Nebra, Silvia A., 2017. "Reduction of process steam demand and water-usage through heat integration in sugar and ethanol production from sugarcane – Evaluation of different plant configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 1263-1280.
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    1. Gebreeyessus, Getachew D. & Mekonnen, Andualem & Chebude, Yonas & Alemayehu, Esayas, 2021. "Quantitative characterization and environmental techno-legal issues on products and byproducts of sugar and ethanol industries in Ethiopia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    2. Palacios-Bereche, M.C. & Palacios-Bereche, R. & Ensinas, A.V. & Gallego, A. Garrido & Modesto, Marcelo & Nebra, S.A., 2022. "Brazilian sugar cane industry – A survey on future improvements in the process energy management," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    3. Nakashima, R.N. & de Oliveira Junior, S., 2020. "Comparative exergy assessment of vinasse disposal alternatives: Concentration, anaerobic digestion and fertirrigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1969-1978.
    4. Palacios-Bereche, Milagros Cecilia & Palacios-Bereche, Reynaldo & Nebra, Silvia Azucena, 2020. "Comparison through energy, exergy and economic analyses of two alternatives for the energy exploitation of vinasse," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    5. Sanchez, Nestor & Ruiz, Ruth & Rödl, Anne & Cobo, Martha, 2021. "Technical and environmental analysis on the power production from residual biomass using hydrogen as energy vector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 825-839.

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