Anaerobic Digestion of Vinasse cane alcohol: The influence of OLR by a UASB reactor

Abstract

An Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor was used to study the treatment of distillery effluent. Vinasse was used to feed the reactor, although its Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) concentration varied during the experiment, the volume utilized to feed the reactor was adjusted to maintain constant Organic Load Rate (OLR). The UASB reactor was operated with OLR 1, 2, 4 and 6 gCOD/Ld. Removal efficiencies of 76,64,63 and 51% respectively were observed. The reactor responded with progressive decreases of efficiency with each increase of OLR, the total mass removed increased. An average biogas production of 1.400, 1.872, 2.17 and 2.172 L to each OLR of 1, 2, 4 and 6 gCOD/Ld, respectively was observed. The methane content in biogas was 63, 68, 86 and 89% each OLR tested. Methane production is also followed with values of .892 L to OLR 1 gCOD/Ld, 1.264 L to OLR 2 gCOD/Ld, 1.876 L to OLR 4 gCOD/Ld and 2.900 L to OLR 6 gCOD/Ld. The UASB reactor operating in continuous mode, it was necessary to evaluate the best conditions for this type of waste. The treatment of distillery effluents using a UASB reactor is feasible and is an alternative to treat these wastes in the alcohol industries Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, organic load rate (OLR), UASB reactor, Vinasse, Biogas