Valorization of organic waste from the sugar-energy sector for the production of sustainable energy and high added-value chemicals

Abstract

The chemical and energy valorization of organic waste is a challenge for the national sugar-energy sector. One way of using this type of waste is by producing renewable energy and chemicals with a low footprint of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the general objective of this proposal is to carry out integrated research for chemical and energy recovery of organic residues from the sugar-energy industry for the production of sustainable energy and high added-value chemicals in the states of São Paulo and Pernambuco. This objective is divided into 9 specific objectives, as follows: I) optimize and evaluate the pre-treatment of sugarcane bagasse by the organosolve process using crude glycerol as solvent, as well as the acid and hydrothermal processes, and to evaluate recycling strategies for chemicals and water in the process; II) evaluate the production of propionic acid, via fermentation, and its potential in the production of propane from the cellulosic fraction obtained after the optimized condition of organosolv pretreatment; III) evaluate the production of 2G ethanol from the cellulosic fraction obtained after organosolv pre-treatment with crude glycerol and comparison with acid and hydrothermal pre-treatments; IV) determine the best conditions for the co-digestion of pentose liquor and vinasse for the production of biogas in biodigesters on a laboratory and pilot scale, in addition to the production of hydrogen on a bench scale; V) monitor and evaluate the microbial diversity, the metabolomics and the metabolic fluxes in the experiments of biofuels and chemicals production; VI) evaluate the effect of injecting the H2 stream into biogas in the biomethanation process of biogas; VII) evaluate the bioproduction of 1,3 propanediol from the cellulosic fraction obtained after the optimized condition of organosolv pretreatment, as an added value intermediate to biodigestion; VIII) produce bioplastic from the hydrolyzed cellulosic fraction of the best acid and hydrothermal pretreatment conditions as an added value intermediate to biodigestion; and IX) consolidate the integration among research groups of the partner institutions in R&D projects through workshops and periodic scientific events. In order to achieve the proposed set of objectives, researchers from both states will work in an integrated manner. The results of the proposal can impact the generation of scientific knowledge on the subject of renewable energy production in the sugar-energy sector and have high adherence to several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda, since they address issues that improve generation of renewable energy, water quality, and that could contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. In addition, the impacts of this proposal can be quantified in the development and/or improvement of processes, in the publication of dissertations, thesis and scientific articles, in the training of human resources (at least 4 doctoral theses, 4 master's dissertations and 3 ICs ); and in the effective reduction of the consumption of fossil derivatives in the sugar-energy sector. (AU)