Treatment of vinasse by using electro-dissolution and chemical flocculation

Abstract

Vinasse is the most important waste from the bioethanol plants due to its high polluting potential, for this it has received special attention because of interest to develop new treatment alternatives. It was evaluated the removal capacity of solids content and other parameters of vinasse by using electro-dissolution of iron and chemical flocculation through separate stages. The appropriate operating conditions for electro-dissolution were established by means of linear polarization sweeps and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses. During the flocculation were conducted jar tests by using Ca(OH)2 as coadjuvant agent and as pH modifier. In this way, was possible to diminish 84% total solids, 54% chemical oxygen demand, 88% dissolved organic carbon and 76% color. The electrical consumption during electro-dissolution was 0.25 kWh/m3.