Brazilian pilot plant project reduces vinasse
Researchers from Fermentec, Piracicaba (Brazil), have cut the volume of vinasse in half while producing ethanol at its pilot plant.
Vinasse is a by-product of sugar-based ethanol production.
The achievement was obtained due to the increase the ethanol concentration in fermentation. Currently the distillery in Brazil working with alcohol content between 8% and 10%, resulting 10 to 12 litres to vinasse per litre of alcohol produced.
The researchers found it possible to make the fermentation with 16% of alcohol content without affecting the yield and with a production of 6 litres of vinasse per litre of alcohol.
If the 385 distilleries in the Brazil decreased by 50% the production of vinasse, there would be a reduction of 160 billion litres of a residue per year, the researchers find.
The economy in the distillery with this process of fermentation may reach US$2 (€1.50) per tonne of milled cane. The vinasse is a residue that is used now as a fertiliser.
Vinasse is a by-product of sugar-based ethanol production.
The achievement was obtained due to the increase the ethanol concentration in fermentation. Currently the distillery in Brazil working with alcohol content between 8% and 10%, resulting 10 to 12 litres to vinasse per litre of alcohol produced.
The researchers found it possible to make the fermentation with 16% of alcohol content without affecting the yield and with a production of 6 litres of vinasse per litre of alcohol.
If the 385 distilleries in the Brazil decreased by 50% the production of vinasse, there would be a reduction of 160 billion litres of a residue per year, the researchers find.
The economy in the distillery with this process of fermentation may reach US$2 (€1.50) per tonne of milled cane. The vinasse is a residue that is used now as a fertiliser.
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