Energy analysis of ethanol from sugarcane irrigated with treated domestic sewage

Cley Anderson Silva de Freitas,José Adeilson Medeiros do Nascimento,Alexandre Reuber Almeida da Silva,Daniel Albiero,Francisco Marcus Lima Bezerra

doi:10.5935/1806-6690.20180044

Cley Anderson Silva de Freitas, José Adeilson Medeiros do Nascimento + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5935/1806-6690.20180044

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Abstract

Using energy balance methodology, this study compared the sustainability of ethanol synthesis from sugarcane irrigated with different replacement levels based on the evaporation estimated in a Class A pan (ECA), using treated domestic sewage effluent and groundwater as the water source, in Aquiraz, in the State of Ceara. The adopted statistical design was of randomised blocks in split plots, with four replications. Two water sources (treated sewage effluent and groundwater) were evaluated in the plots, and five irrigation levels (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150% of the ECA) were evaluated in the split plots. Irrigation with treated domestic sewage effluent results in greater energy expenditure. The irrigation depth relative to 150% of the ECA expends the most energy, irrespective of the water source. Irrigation with treated domestic sewage effluent gives a higher energy yield (368.9 GJ ha-1) through the application of a depth of 781.4 mm, while for irrigation with groundwater, 937.6 mm (150% of the ECA) is the best recommended depth for obtaining the highest energy yield (276.9 GJ ha-1). Domestic sewage effluent gives the best energy return, and its use in systems of crop-production is viable.

Highlights

The current increased demand for energy has driven the development of research into more-efficient systems and technologies, and the diversification of energy sources, to the detriment of traditional sources derived from petroleum, with a special focus on sources of clean and renewable energy (CHEL; KAUSHIK, 2011)
The plots consisted of two types of irrigation water: groundwater catchment (GW) - groundwater from a well; and E - treated domestic sewage effluent from treatment processes in the domestic sewage stabilisation ponds of the municipality of Aquiraz, in Ceará
The effects of five different irrigation depths were evaluated in the split plots, based on the evaporation from a Class A pan - (ECA) installed in the immediate vicinity of the experimental area

Summary

Introduction

The current increased demand for energy has driven the development of research into more-efficient systems and technologies, and the diversification of energy sources, to the detriment of traditional sources derived from petroleum, with a special focus on sources of clean and renewable energy (CHEL; KAUSHIK, 2011). In this context, in recent years, a number of countries, notably those that make up the European Union, plus the United States, motivated by the incessant search for environmental sustainability, have adopted policies to encourage the production and consumption of biofuels (MASIERO; LOPES, 2008). Among the various factors associated with the reduction in exports and even the importation of ethanol by Brazil, the climate (the amount and distribution of rainfall) and domestic consumption stand out (BITTENCOURT; FONTES; CAMPOS, 2012)

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