Biofuel: Paraná Sanitation Company (Sanepar) Aims to Produce Ethanol from Sewage

Located in Paraná, the Water and Sewage Company of Paraná (AGEPAR) had its name changed to the Sanitation Company of Paraná (Sanepar) on June 19, 1964, and currently aims to produce biofuel – ethanol from sewage waste.

Sanepar obtained a patent for the production of biofuel (Ethanol) as a result of the sewage treatment process. The title was claimed by Sanepar in partnership with Unicentro. This new technology, based on waste for the production of biofuel (Ethanol), was registered with the INPI – National Institute of Industrial Property, which utilizes algae from anaerobic lagoons found in sewage treatment stations to produce 3rd generation Ethanol. The research began with biologist Márcia Guareski, who works at Sanepar in Guarapuava, Paraná.

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Production of Biofuel (Ethanol) from Sewage Stations and UASB

During the research, waste from the sewage treatment lagoons in the city of Nova Laranjeiras and from the UASB Anaerobic Reactor at the Sewage Treatment Station of Vassoural in Guarapuava, Paraná, was used. The purpose of this study was to give a purpose to the algae that reproduced in the anaerobic treatment lagoons and needed to be removed in order to reduce the organic load and color of the effluent.

Analyzing some parameters, such as the biomass hydrolysis time, the volume produced per ton of dry algae, and alcohol content, and comparing it with the ethanol production obtained from sugarcane, the studies indicated that the sewage processing is of utmost importance in the generation of biofuel (ethanol).

Biofuel: Bioethanol Has 3 Classifications, According to Raw Material

As far as is known, based on studies conducted with biofuel, bioethanol has been classified into 3 classes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation, according to the raw material that originated it. The production of ethanol from sugarcane, wheat, corn, etc., is from the first generation, with a relatively simple process already implemented in industries.