Methane emissions from sugarcane vinasse storage and transportation systems: Comparison between open channels and tanks

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 159; pp. 135 - 146
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Bruna Gonçalves, Carvalho, João Luís Nunes, Chagas, Mateus Ferreira, Cerri, Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino, Cerri, Carlos Clemente, Feigl, Brigitte Josefine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2017
• Subjects: Effluents; Greenhouse gas emission; Methanogenesis; Sedimentation; Greenhouse gas emission; Sedimentation; Effluents; Methanogenesis
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.04.005

Over the last few years the brazilian sugarcane sector has produced an average of 23.5 million liters of ethanol annually. This scale of production generates large amounts of vinasse, which depending on the manner that is disposed, can result significant greenhouse gas emissions. This study aimed to quantify the methane (CH4) emissions associated with the two most widespread systems of vinasse storage and transportation used in Brazil; open channel and those comprising of tanks and pipes. Additionally, a laboratory incubation study was performed with the aim of isolating the effects of vinasse, sediment and the interaction between these factors on CH4 emissions. We observed significant differences in CH4 emissions between the sampling points along the channels during both years of evaluation (2012–2013). In the channel system, around 80% of CH4 emissions were recorded from uncoated sections. Overall, the average CH4 emission intensity was 1.36 kg CO2eq m−3 of vinasse transported in open channels, which was 620 times higher than vinasse transported through a system of tanks and closed pipes. The laboratory incubation corroborated field results, suggesting that vinasse alone does not contribute significant emissions of CH4. Higher CH4 emissions were observed when vinasse and sediment were incubated together. In summary, our findings demonstrate that CH4 emissions originate through the anaerobic decomposition of organic material deposited on the bottom of channels and tanks. The adoption of coated channels as a substitute to uncoated channels offers the potential for an effective and affordable means of reducing CH4 emissions. Ultimately, the modernization of vinasse storage and transportation systems through the adoption of tank and closed pipe systems will provide an effective strategy for mitigating CH4 emissions generated during the disposal phase of the sugarcane ethanol production process. •Vinasse is the main residue of sugarcane ethanol production.•We quantified CH4 emissions in the main systems of vinasse storage and transportation.•Higher CH4 emissions are associated with open channel systems.•We estimated an emission of 1.36 kg CO2 eq m−3 of vinasse in open channels.•Tanks and pipes is a good strategy to mitigate CH4 emission.