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Unleashing the full potential of vinasse fermentation in sugarcane biorefineries

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  • do Vale Borges, André
  • Fuess, Lucas Tadeu
  • Takeda, Paula Yumi
  • Rogeri, Renan Coghi
  • Saia, Flávia Talarico
  • Gregoracci, Gustavo Bueno
  • Rissato Zamariolli Damianovic, Márcia Helena

Abstract

High sulfate concentrations (>2.0 g L−1) in sugarcane vinasse present challenges for single-phase anaerobic digestion (AD) systems due to microbial competition and sulfide toxicity. While two-phase AD systems have successfully reduced sulfate in thermophilic fermentative systems, similar success under mesophilic conditions remains undocumented. This study evaluated different strategies to establish and maintain stable long-term sulfidogenic activity in high-rate fermentative reactors under mesophilic conditions. Three reactors were tested, each inoculated differently: R1 with mesophilic naturally-fermented vinasse, R2 with thermophilic naturally-fermented vinasse, and R3 with granular sludge. All reactors were operated at 30 °C with a 12-h hydraulic retention time. The addition of 0.25 gNaHCO3 g−1CODt during inoculation effectively maintained pH levels higher than 6.5, stimulating sulfidogenic activity in all systems, regardless of sulfate loading rate variations (3.9–4.8 kgSO4 m−3 d−1). R3 demonstrated superior buffering capacity and robust sulfidogenesis, achieving sulfate removal efficiencies of 63 ± 14 % in R1, 72 ± 15 % in R2, and 83 ± 16 % in R3, primarily driven by Desulfovibrio. Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis persisted in all reactors, driven by Methanofollis, Methanobacterium, and Methanosarcina in R1, Methanofollis in R2, and Methanoculleus in R3. Despite methanogenesis occurrence, R3 exhibited higher acetate accumulation (>3.5 gHAc L−1), with great potential to boost acetoclastic methanogenesis in a two-stage AD scheme. The produced biogas was low in hydrogen (<1 %) but rich in sulfide (up to 9 %), necessitating further gas treatment. These findings reveal the high resilience of sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens to high organic loads, highlighting the complexity of AD of vinasse.

Suggested Citation

  • do Vale Borges, André & Fuess, Lucas Tadeu & Takeda, Paula Yumi & Rogeri, Renan Coghi & Saia, Flávia Talarico & Gregoracci, Gustavo Bueno & Rissato Zamariolli Damianovic, Márcia Helena, 2025. "Unleashing the full potential of vinasse fermentation in sugarcane biorefineries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:208:y:2025:i:c:s1364032124008220
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.115096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Takeda, Paula Yumi & Oliveira, Cristiane Arruda & Dias, Maria Eduarda Simões & Paula, Carolina Tavares & Borges, André do Vale & Damianovic, Márcia Helena Rissato Zamariolli, 2022. "Enhancing the energetic potential of sugarcane biorefinery exchanging vinasse and glycerol in sugarcane off-season in an anaerobic reactor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1218-1229.
    2. Fuess, Lucas Tadeu & Kiyuna, Luma Sayuri Mazine & Ferraz, Antônio Djalma Nunes & Persinoti, Gabriela Felix & Squina, Fabio Marcio & Garcia, Marcelo Loureiro & Zaiat, Marcelo, 2017. "Thermophilic two-phase anaerobic digestion using an innovative fixed-bed reactor for enhanced organic matter removal and bioenergy recovery from sugarcane vinasse," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 480-491.
    3. Stefan Kruse & Tobias Goris & Martin Westermann & Lorenz Adrian & Gabriele Diekert, 2018. "Hydrogen production by Sulfurospirillum species enables syntrophic interactions of Epsilonproteobacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Westerholm, M. & Isaksson, S. & Karlsson Lindsjö, O. & Schnürer, A., 2018. "Microbial community adaptability to altered temperature conditions determines the potential for process optimisation in biogas production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 838-848.
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