Raízen Plant Is Producing, For The First Time in Brazil, Electricity From Biogas for Commercial Use

Thinking About Low Carbon Emission, Raízen’s Plant Is Producing Electricity Through Biogas Produced From Sugarcane Residues

Brazil is one of the largest producers of sugarcane in the world, and it is from this that the country’s main source of renewable energy comes. In addition to producing ethanol, plants use the residues from the sugarcane milling to produce electricity. Raízen is an integrated energy company of Brazilian origin with a presence in the sugar and ethanol production sectors, fuel distribution, and energy generation, and it was the first to produce electricity for commercial use in the Brazilian market.

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Electricity Production Using Biogas

First, sugarcane bagasse was used, which began to be burned to feed boilers, and soon after, biogas was used, obtained from straw, filter cake from sugarcane, and vinasse. In Guariba, São Paulo, a Raízen plant is producing electricity through biogas on a commercial scale, marking the first time in the country.

According to the chemical engineer from the University of São Paulo (USP), Marcelo Zaiat, this large-scale experience is a new milestone for Brazil. At Raízen’s plant, vinasse and filter cake are used, which in previous processes were only utilized as fertilizers. Vinasse is the liquid part that remains from the distillation of sugarcane juice. It is extracted from the plant via pipelines and returned to the fields due to its excess potassium. The filter cake is the solid part that comes from filtering the sugarcane juice; it is rich in phosphorus and is also reused in the fields.

Biogas Production at Raízen Plant

Vinasse and filter cake are taken to Raízen’s biodigesters before being sent to the fields. In this process, a large part of the organic matter from both residues is transformed into biogas through the action of bacteria.

The methane gas produced during the process rises to the surface of the biodigesters and is transported through pipes to the generators, where it is burned to generate electricity.

According to automation engineer Paulo Miranda, Filter Cake is a strategic waste for them because its storage can generate electricity throughout the year.

The Search for New Energies

One of the initiatives aimed at achieving more sustainability is at the laboratory of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), where a device is measuring the amount of methane released during the digestion of the residues.

According to UFSCar agronomist engineer, Otávio Valsechi, the focus is on removing methane from vinasse to separate carbon due to the presence of hydrogen. The world will move through electricity, and one of the largest sources of energy will be hydrogen.