Abstract

DIEZ, Oscar A.; RUSSO, Marcos N.  and  RUIZ, Roberto Marcelo. Vinasse concentration at pilot scale. Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2022, vol.99, n.1, pp.43-52. ISSN 1851-3018.

In Tucumán, the vinasse generated in the production of bioethanol is used mainly in the fields, so the cost of transportation and storage is significantly affected by the decrease in its volume through its concentration. Using a pilot plant falling film evaporator, each stage of a quintuple system was simulated individually. The tests were designed in such a way that the results made it possible to evaluate the viability of the stillage concentration process and the main variables to control. The tests were successfully completed as stipulated, increasing the total stillage concentration from approximately 10 ° Bx to approximately 35 ° Bx. Viscosity does not present any problem in the concentration ranges studied, its value follows a polynomial behavior according to the effect; ¼  = 0.145 (ef)³ - 0.8823 (ef)² + 1.3855 (ef) + 1.9219 [cP], where ef is the effect number. A set of thermal conditions was established for a multiple effects system, with an evaporation temperature of 105 ° C for the first effect and 60 ° C for the laser effect. The changes in the concentrations of a significant number of chemical components of the vinasse were determined by analyzing the brix in each evaporation stage and chemical group. In the case of potassium, the concentration is as follows: 1.9118 (ef) + 129.98 [g / L / ºBx]; while for calcium: -1.22 (ef) + 21.8 [g / L / ºBx]. the global heat transfer coefficient changes with the effect number, showing a quadratic form: - 27.497 (ef) 2 - 147.91 (ef) + 2499 [W / ºC / m² ] .

Keywords : vinasse concentration; falling film evaporator; fouling.

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