Two-Stage anaerobic digestion in agroindustrial waste treatment: A review.

The anaerobic digestion is a process widely recognized as an interesting alternative for the treatment and stabilization of residual organic substrates. However, several technical limitations were observed based on the characteristics of the organic matter submitted to the process, such as the presence of high concentrations of soluble sugars or fats. The technology of anaerobic digestion in multiple stages is described as a viable option in the control of variables, optimizing the environmental conditions of the main microorganisms involved in the process, assuring high solid removal and methane production, besides allowing a higher energy yield through the generation of molecular fuel hydrogen. Several studies reviewed the process of anaerobic digestion in multiple stages in the treatment of food waste, although few report its use applied directly to agroindustrial residues. Thus, the present work aims to review the literature evaluating the scenario and viability of the multi-stage anaerobic digestion process applied to agroindustrial effluents. Effluents such as manipueira, vinasse, and dairy wastewater are substrates that present high yields when treated by AD processes with stage separation. The high concentration of easily fermentable sugars results in a high production of molecular hydrogen (co-product of the production of volatile acids in the acid phase) and methane (methanogenic phase). The great challenges related to the development of the sector are focused on the stability of the composition and yield of hydrogen in the acid phase, besides the problems resulting from the treatment of complex residues. Thus, the present study suggests that future works should focus on the technologies of new microorganisms and optimization of process parameters, providing maturation and scale-up of the two-stage anaerobic digestion technique.

Lipolytic production from solid-state fermentation of the filamentous fungus Penicillium polonicum and its applicability as biocatalyst in the synthesis of ethyl oleate.

Lipases represent versatile biocatalysts extensively employed in transesterification reactions for ester production. Ethyl oleate holds significance in biodiesel production, serving as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived diesel. In this study, our goal was to prospect lipase and assess its efficacy as a biocatalyst for ethyl oleate synthesis. For quantitative analysis, a base medium supplemented with Rhodamine B, olive oil, and Tween 80 was used. Solid-state fermentation utilized crambe seeds of varying particle sizes and humidity levels as substrates. In the synthesis of ethyl oleate, molar ratios of 1:3, 1:6, and 1:9, along with a total enzymatic activity of 60 U in n-heptane, were utilized at temperatures of 30 °C, 37 °C, and 44 °C. Reactions were conducted in a shaker at 200 rpm for 60 min. As a result, we first identified Penicillium polonicum and employed the method of solid-state fermentation using crambe seeds as a substrate to produce lipase. Our findings revealed heightened lipolytic activity (22.5 Ug-1) after 96 h of fermentation using crambe cake as the substrate. Optimal results were achieved with crambe seeds at a granulometry of 0.6 mm and a fermentation medium humidity of 60%. Additionally, electron microscopy suggested the immobilization of lipase in the substrate, enabling enzyme reuse for up to 4 cycles with 100% enzymatic activity. Subsequently, we conducted applicability tests of biocatalysts for ethyl oleate synthesis, optimizing parameters such as the acid/alcohol molar ratio, temperature, and reaction time. We attained 100% conversion within 30 min at 37 °C, and our results indicated that the molar ratio proportion did not significantly influence the outcome. These findings provide a methodological alternative for the utilization of biocatalysts in ethyl oleate synthesis.

Catalytic efficiency of the eggshell calcined and enriched with glycerin in the synthesis of biodiesel from frying residual oil.

Currently, there are several studies using calcium oxide, calcium alkoxide, and calcium hydroxide for biodiesel production. However, there is still a lack of studies highlighting the use of calcium diglyceroxide (calcium oxide enriched with glycerin in the presence of methanol) as a catalyst in the transesterification process. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the catalytic efficiency and reutilization of the eggshell calcined and enriched with glycerin and methanol (ECEG), in the synthesis of methylic esters from frying residual oil. As a result, thermochemically modified eggshells showed catalytic efficiency during methylic transesterification of residual oils in mass concentrations of 15%, 5%, 3%, and 1% due to the presence of a high level of esters (97.39, 96.97, 97.75, and 92.96%, respectively). The initial concentration of the enriched eggshell used in methanolysis had a direct effect on the final ester mixture. A 15% increase in the water content of the frying oil contributed to an increase in the ester content. The ECEG was reactive and efficient for four reaction cycles (without reactivation of the catalytic sites) due to the evidence of a high ester content (97.85%, 98.67%, 98.89%, 98.46%), reaching the standard quality of worldwide biodiesel regulations. Graphical abstract.

Use of rice husk in waste cooking oil pretreatment.

Since industrial wastes are increasing, the development of studies to find ways for their use is urgent. Waste cooking oil is an important source for the production of biodiesel, one of the main biofuels in Brazil. However, during cooking, the oil undergoes conditions that change its properties and decrease its quality, such as its acidity value. Current research treats waste cooking oil by the adsorption process using rice husk, an agro-industrial waste, and activated carbon to compare results. The potential of the adsorbents to remove free fatty acids in waste cooking oil has been investigated by the batch technique, evaluating different operating conditions of temperature, adsorbent mass and agitation. Adsorbents were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The maximum result obtained for activated carbon at acidity reduction was 63%, using 22.4°C, 169.64 rpm and 3.39 g of adsorbent mass. Already, using the rice husk the percentage of removal was the same, 63% using 22.4°C, 80.36 rpm and 1.61 g of adsorbent, however in shorter times. The results prove that the application of the rice husk for this purpose is advantageous, for being a low-cost material, available on a large scale and that provide results similar to activated carbon.

Evaluation of different adsorbents for acidity reduction in residual oils.

This work aims to evaluate the adsorption potential of bentonite and sugarcane bagasse clay for the reduction of free fatty acids in cooking oil through batch technique, experimental planning with different operating conditions (temperature, adsorbent mass and agitation). After were carried out kinetic studies and thermodynamic studies. Thus, both adsorbents were characterized by nitrogen dispersion, scanning electron microscopy with coupled energy dispersion spectroscopy. The sugarcane bagasse provided higher reductions compared to the bentonite clay, 58 and 50%, respectively. In the kinetic studies, it was observed that the pseudo-secunda model for both materials. Among the isotherms studied, the Langmuir model was better adjusted for sugarcane bagasse and Freundlich for bentonite clay. Thermodynamic parameters indicated spontaneous and endothermic adsorption at temperatures of 18°C, 20°C and 25°C. Both materials showed an advantageous result with the reduction to the adsorption of free fatty acids in the residual oil, considering that they are low-cost materials, their pre-treatment is simple from the operational point of view and their physical and chemical characteristics are favorable to the adsorption process, sugarcane bagasse contains about 42% hemicellulose, which is a hydroxyl-rich material that attracts the H+ ions from the medium.

Environmental, economic and social impact of aviation biofuel production in Brazil.

The Brazilian aviation industry is currently developing biofuel technologies that can maintain the operational and energy demands of the sector, while reducing the dependence on fossil fuels (mainly kerosene) and greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of the current research was to identify the major environmental, economic and social impacts arising from the production of aviation biofuels in Brazil. Despite the great potential of these fuels, there is a significant need for improved routes of production and specifically for lower production costs of these materials. In addition, the productive chains of raw materials for obtaining these bioenergetics can be linked to environmental impacts by NOx emissions, extensive use of agricultural land, loss of wildlife and intensive water use, as well as economic, social and political impacts.