Biogas generation from distillery spent wash by using an OPUR western biotechnology process: a case study

• Published in: Desalination and water treatment 2018-06, Vol.118, p.241-248
• Main Authors: Wagh, Manoj Pandurang, Nemade, Pravin Dinkar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerobic; Anaerobic digestion; Biogas; Distillery spent wash; Fermentation; OPUR process
• ISSN: 1944-3986
• DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2018.22404

In India, sugar molasses are used on a large scale to manufacture ethanol. Global ethanol production in 2015 was around 224 crore L. While manufacturing ethanol, distillery wastewater generated is around 2,688 crore L, which affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem very badly. In the present paper, an OPUR treatment process is studied to treat the distillery industry wastewater specially implemented for Indian climatic condition. Distillery wastewaters treated by anaerobic digestion produces biogas as a nonconventional energy source and controls the pollution; OPUR process reduces the COD around from 140,000 to 38,500 mg L–1 (65%–72%), BOD reduction from 70,000 to 13,000 mg L–1 (80%–85%), total dissolved solids reduction from 100,000 to 25,000 (75%), and biogas generation from 0.45 to 0.55 Nm3 kg–1 COD degraded. Calorific value is 4,500 kcal Nm–3, saving bagasse costs with biogas as fuel, €4,891.5 per day, and total revenue generated €911,250 per year.