Use of the potentiality of vinasse for the production of biogas as renewable energy

Abstract

Vinasse is the main liquid residual of distilleries, which is a serious problem for the environment due to the large amount of organic matter present in it and the volume in which it is generated. The main objective of this work is to solve the environmental impact that occurs in the Cauto basin, for which the design of an upward-flow anaerobic reactor is proposed in the March 8 Distillary located in the municipality of Noris Urbano of Holguín. In this way, the potential of biogas for the generation of electrical energy is used and a liquid effluent is obtained for irrigation of crops, which in turn constitutes an economically viable alternative. The use of biogas as a fuel in the boiler of the distillery is favorable since it replaces the purchase of fuel oil and also stops emitting hundreds of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. As a secondary product of the reactor, the mud is obtained, which can be used for the fertilization of the sugarcane soil. The proposed treatment allows the vinasse to stop being a polluting agent and to become an abundant and raw material for the production of energy.