Environmental Technology

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Journal:

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Influence of Alkalinity and VFAs on the Performance of an

UASB Reactor with Recirculation for the treatment of
Tequila Vinasses

Environmental Technology

Manuscript ID:
Manuscript Type:

Original Article
31-Oct-2014

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Date Submitted by the Author:

TENT-TENT-2014-1472

Lpez-Lpez, Alberto; Centro de Tecnologa y Asistencia en Tecnologa y

Diseo del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Environmental Technology
Len-Becerril, Elizabeth; Centro de Tecnologa y Asistencia en Tecnologa y
Diseo del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Environmental Technology
Rosales-Contreras, Mara; Centro de Tecnologa y Asistencia en Tecnologa
y Diseo del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Environmental Technology
Villegas-Garca, Edgardo; Centro de Tecnologa y Asistencia en Tecnologa
y Diseo del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Environmental Technology

Keywords:

Tequila vinasse, volatile fatty acids, alkalinity, methane, anaerobic process

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Complete List of Authors:

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Page 1 of 21

Influence of Alkalinity and VFAs on the Performance of an UASB Reactor with

Recirculation for the treatment of Tequila Vinasses

Abstract
The main problem linked to the stability of UASB reactors during the treatment of Tequila
vinasse is the high acidity and the null alkalinity present in this effluent. This research evaluates

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the effect of alkalinity and volatile fatty acids concentration on the performance of an UASB
reactor with recirculation of the effluent for removing organic matter and biogas production
from Tequila vinasses. Recirculation of the effluent reduces the impact of volatile fatty acids
(VFAs) and organic matter concentration present in the influent and inducing the stability of the

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reactor. UASB reactor was operated during 235 days at an organic loading rate from 2.5 to 20.0

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kg m-3 d-1, attaining a removal efficiency of COD greater than 75% with a methane production
rate of 335 ml CH4 g-1 COD at SPT, maintaining a ratio of VFAs/Alk 0.5. Therefore, an
optimal ratio of VFAs/Alk was established for the system operating in stable conditions for the

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treatment of Tequila vinasses. Under these conditions, the alkalinity was recuperated by the

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system itself, without the addition of external alkalinity.

Keywords: Tequila vinasse; anaerobic process; volatile fatty acids; alkalinity; methane;
recirculation.

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Environmental Technology

Introduction
Tequila vinasses are the liquid residues generated after the distillation of the must of fermented
agave (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul) in the Tequila production. Tequila vinasse is a dark
brown liquid; it presents a pH of 3.5 and a high chemical oxygen demand (COD), which ranges
from 60 to 100 g l-1; generating potential risks to the environment if it is discharged without
treatment to water bodies [1-4]. Between the different treatments of vinasses, the anaerobic

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process stands out as the most viable; it has been used for the treatment of Tequila vinasse [2, 57] and for other distilled spirits [3, 8-10].

In Mexico, anaerobic processes for treating Tequila vinasses have been started in the 90s, using

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several configurations of anaerobic reactors such as packed bed reactors, up flow anaerobic
sludge blanket reactor (UASB) and filter bed reactors [11] reaching moderate chemical oxygen

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demand removal efficiencies, from 50 to 70%. Low COD removal efficiency is related
principally with lack of anaerobic biomass with a properly methanogen activity and with its

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slight adaptation to the low alkalinity of the substrate. Different reactor configurations such as

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the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor [12], continuous stirred tank reactor [13, 14] have been
used for the treatment of Tequila vinasse; however the UASB reactor offers advantages such as

removal efficiencies of COD greater than 80%, organic load rate (OLR) ranging from 5 to 20
kgCOD m-3 d-1 and methane production rate from 250 to 400 mlCH4 g-1COD [4, 5, 15-17].

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Start-up strategies of reactors used gradually increases of OLR until reaching average removal

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efficiencies of COD. Although, anaerobic reactors present stability problems on its

performance, due to the lack of alkalinity, low pH, accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs);
therefore, different control parameters have been defined [7, 13, 14, 16]. Nevertheless the main
problem of stability during treatment of vinasse is associated with high acidity that presents
these effluents, which is solved with the addition of external alkalinity.

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Page 3 of 21

lvarez et al. [15] reported COD removal efficiencies about 80% in an UASBR operated for
150 days, OLR was increased gradually from 5 to 20 kgCOD m-3 d-1, alkalinity ratio () defined
as bicarbonate alkalinity between total alkalinity was taken as a control parameter of the reactor,
the desired value being below 0.4. For OLR over 15 kgCOD m-3 d-1, overshoot 0.4 control
value because of the high concentration of VFAs, this effect could be decreased when the
effluent is recirculated.

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Another operation parameter evaluated to reduce the effect of acidification in the treatment of
vinasses is the effluent recirculation. Ilangovan et al. [5] used two UASB reactors, one with
effluent recirculation and the other without recirculation; both reactors operated with an OLR of

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7 kgCOD m-3 d-1 reaching a removal efficiency of COD of 80%. The reactor with recirculation

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reached an OLR of 25 kgCOD m-3 d-1 and a COD removal of about 80%; however the reactor
without recirculation was affected drastically when OLR was increased to 20 kgCOD m-3 d-1.
With recirculation, the concentration of VFAs at the inlet diminished, reducing the effect of

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acidification in the reactor. Indeed, external alkalinity was not necessary to be added to the

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reactor, however an effect in the sludge was observed, granular sludge became a mixed sludge
(granular and flocculent) [18].

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Another important aspect to assess the effect of acidity and alkalinity in the anaerobic treatment
of vinasse is the automatic control of reactors [7, 13, 19]. Mendez-Acosta et al. [13] operated a
CSTR with automated operation parameters to treat Tequila vinasses, removing organic matter

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with an efficiency of 90%, with a biogas production of about 537 l kg-1COD removed, with a
60% of methane. Anaerobic sludge was capable to tolerate changes in OLR from 1 to 6 kgCOD
m-3 d-1, even with an unbalance of COD/N/P proportion. The automatic control of alkalinity
ratio parameter was maintained below 0.3 with continuous addition of NaOH, maintaining a
stable performance of the reactor. Alcaraz-Gonzlez et al. [7] proposed a robust multivariable

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Environmental Technology

control model to guarantee the operation stability of the anaerobic process. Authors
demonstrated that regulation of VFAs and the strong ionic concentration permit that the
functional stability percentages in terms of intermediate and total alkalinity could be satisfied
for any perturbation of the system.

Therefore, the high acidity of vinasses is associated to the VFAs concentration, especially

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propionic and butyric acids which can affect the performance of the acetogenic and
methanogenic bacterium in the anaerobic digestion process [5, 7, 11, 13, 20]. Therefore, the
Tequila vinasse treatment by anaerobic processes requires an adequate control of operation
parameters to avoid the VFAs accumulation and to profit the internal alkalinity generated by the

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anaerobic process itself to guarantee the stability of the reactor.

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One of the main problems linked to the stability of the UASB reactors for the treatment of
Tequila vinasse is the high acidity and the null alkalinity present in the vinasse, therefore a

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strategy of recirculation of the effluent for reducing the impact of acidity present in vinasse at

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the inlet of the reactor. The objective of this research is orientated to evaluate the effect of the
alkalinity and VFAs on the performance of an UASB reactor with recirculation for removing

organic matter and biogas production from treatment of Tequila vinasses.

Material and Methods

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Tequila Vinasse

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Vinasse was collected after distillation stage from a Tequila factory; it was characterized and
maintained at 4 C until it was used for the experiments. Tequila vinasses were pre-treated to
eliminate settleable solids, vinasses were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 30 minutes in a centrifuge
DAMON/IEC DIVISION CU-5000. In order to achieve a stable performance of the UASB
reactor, vinasses pH was adjusted at 7, solutions of NaOH and NaHCO3 at 1.0 N were used. The

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necessary doses of these solutions to be added to the reactor were determined for a volume
sample of 100 ml of centrifuged vinasse.

UASB Reactor
UASB reactor consisted of a Pyrex glass column with 8 cm of diameter and 50 cm of height,
with a total volume of 2.25 l; the reactor was fed at the bottom and the effluent was recuperated

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at the top of the column. Temperature was maintained at 35 C by a thermocirculator LabTech

D2010. The biogas (methane and carbon dioxide) generated during anaerobic process passed
through a solution of 3M NaOH in order to capture and convert the CO2 present in the biogas to
Na2CO3, then methane gas could be measured by displacement of water in a column; methyl

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orange was used as indicator of the saturation of NaOH solution (Figure 1). Methane production
rate was determined by linear regression analysis from the experimental data, CH4 generated

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(ml d-1) and COD removed (mg d-1), adjusted by the method of least squares.
[Here Figure 1]

Start-up of the UASB Reactor

Inoculation

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For the inoculation of the UASB reactor, granular sludge (granules about 2.5 mm) from an

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anaerobic treatment plant of vinasses was used. A sludge volume of 20 % v/v with respect to the
operation volume of the UASB reactor was fed, with a volatile suspended solids concentration
of 18,750 mg l-1, at pH = 7.0 and temperature of 35 C. The specific methanogenic activity was
ranging from 0.15 to 0.89 gCOD (gVSS)-1 d-1 using acetate as substrate.

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Operating Conditions of the UASB Reactor

Hydraulic retention time was established from preliminary tests and results from literature in 48
h [4, 5, 17], with smaller HRT values, efficiencies of the UASB reactor decreased drastically.
Temperature was fixed at 35 C.

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Environmental Technology

The UASB reactor was started-up at OLR= 2.5 kg m3 d-1 equivalent to a 10% of the total COD
concentration of Tequila vinasse; demineralized water was used for the dilutions of the vinasse.
OLR was increasing gradually until 20 kg m3 d-1 equivalent to 100% of the COD concentration
of vinasse, changes in OLR were made when the reactor was assumed stable, considering that
the degradation rate of COD and production rate of methane were constant, and pH was next to
7.

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Three times a week, physicochemical parameters such as COD, volatile suspended solids
(VSS), VFAs, pH, alkalinity and methane production were measured, in order to know if the

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reactor was operating within the optimal conditions of an anaerobic treatment process.

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A very important factor to be monitored was pH, if it dropped below 6, then NaHCO3 solution
was added. For reducing the addition of NaHCO3 solution, a strategy of recirculation of the

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effluent was established from day 10 to 50; it consisted on an initial recirculation ratio of 1:1,

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defined as Qr/Qo = recirculation volumetric flow/outlet volumetric flow. Consequently, this ratio
was increasing every 72 hours, in one unity, until 10:1, at this value; it was no necessary the

addition of NaHCO3. Effluent recirculation reduces the impact of organic matter present in the

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influent, recovers the internal alkalinity and increases the upflow velocity [5, 20].

Analytical Methods

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Standard Methods were used to determine physicochemical parameters of vinasses [21].

Samples were taken at the outlet of the reactor after the recirculation flow (at the top) for be
analyzed, determining physicochemical parameters and VFAs. Concentrations of the main
VFAs such as acetic, propionic and butyric acids were identified by a gas chromatographer
equipped with a flame ionization detector (Agilent Technologies G1530A) with a capillary
column DB-FAP (0.25 mm x 30 m), using helium as the carrier gas. Samples were prepared and

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conserved according to the methodology proposed by Park et al. [22]. A sample volume of 0.5
l was injected at a gas flow rate of 1 ml min-1 and a split ratio of 20:1. Initial temperature was
80 C maintained for a minute, then it was increased at a rate of 20 C per minute, until 120 C;
then temperature was increased for 6 C per minute, until it reached 205 C. VFAs were
identified in a retention time range of 5 to 11 min. Injector temperature was 210 C and detector
temperature was 240 C.

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Results and Discussion

Physicochemical Characteristics of Vinasse

Table 1 presents the physicochemical characteristics of raw vinasse; pH value is about 3.5;

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organic matter measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD) is about 49,000 and 27,500 mg l-1, respectively; near of the 56 % of the organic matter is

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biodegradable and the 88% is soluble. Setteable solids (SetS) are in the order of 175 ml l-1;
concentration of total solids (TS) is 30,506 mgl-1; about 86 % of them are dissolved solids

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(TDS) and the remainder are total suspended solids (TSS); these values are congruent with the
soluble organic matter percentage. Acidity is about 3,096 mg l-1 and alkalinity is practically

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null; therefore pH has an acid value. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium and potassium are

in order of hundreds of mgl-1. Nitrogen and phosphates are near 78 and 15 mg l-1, respectively,

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vinasse presents smaller concentrations of copper, iron, zinc and sulphates (SO4=). Similar
results for Tequila vinasses were found by Espaa-Gamboa et al. [3].
[Here Table 1]
Pretreatment of Vinasse

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Physicochemical Characteristics of Centrifuged Vinasses

Centrifuged vinasse was characterised again, results are also shown in Table 1; SetS were
almost completely reduced, also TSS were reduced to 90%; although TDS were only reduced
about 10%. As a consequence of SetS and TSS reduction, approximately a 25% reduction of

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COD and BOD is observed, both total and soluble. Total acidity decreased from 10 to 20%,
such as magnesium, potassium, copper, iron and zinc concentrations are lessen in 10%. It is
important to note that about 87% of organic matter in vinasse is soluble. A centrifugation
pretreatment to eliminate solid suspended solids of Tequila vinasses is considered a viable
alternative, because at the same hydraulic conditions, the OLR is reduced provoking the
stability and greater efficiency of the UASB reactor [20].

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Neutralisation Stage

Solutions of NaOH and NaHCO3 at 1.0 N were used for the neutralisation of a volume sample
of 100 ml of centrifuged vinasse. Figures 2a and 2b show that vinasse needs a more volume of

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NaOH and NaHCO3 solution to increase pH. When NaOH was used, an inflexion point was
observed at pH=5.5, in this point it is possible to increase or decrease exponentially pH;

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however, when NaHCO3 was used, pH behaviour was practically linear. In order to avoid abrupt
changes in pH, firstly it is convenient to add NaOH until a value of pH=5.5 and then neutralise

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with NaHCO3; ensuring a more stable system.

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[Here Figures 2a, b]

Influence of the recirculation ratio

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Drastic drop of pH was observed during the operation of the UASB reactor; for the first 50 days
addition of NaHCO3, according to Figures 2a, b, was imperative for maintenance of pH next to 7
and for keeping the stability of the system. At the same time, for day 10 to 50, a strategy of

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recirculation of the effluent was established. The optimal ratio obtained was 10:1, at this value,
upflow velocity in the reactor was increased and in consequence, the mixing between the
vinasse and the biomass. Also, recirculation can recover alkalinity generated from the anaerobic
process, this is, the carbon dioxide (CO2) reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3);
H2CO3 is a diprotic acid and dissociates in two steps-first to bicarbonate (HCO3-) and then to
carbonate (HCO3-) [20], therefore, addition of NaHCO3 solution was not more necessary.

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Influence of alkalinity
Figure 3a. shows the influence of pH and alkalinity on the performance of the UASB reactor in
function of time and OLR, pH is directly related with alkalinity, and in consequence with
removal efficiencies of COD. During the first 50 days of the UASB reactor operation, the
addition of NaHCO3 was necessary to assure the alkalinity and stability of the reactor; from day

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50, due to the recirculation, there was not necessary the NaHCO3 addition, the reactor recovered
the alkalinity and was stable. A descent of pH below 6.5 in several points during the reactor
performance period can be observed; it was provoked basically when the OLR was increased, in
consequence, removal efficiencies of COD dropped (Figure 3b). This decreasing on COD

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removal efficiency is due to the alkalinity in the reactor, it was not sufficient to neutralize the
acidity present in the inlet of the reactor. In these cases, only the addition of NaHCO3 allowed to

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reach the stability of the UASB reactor operation. Smaller increments of OLR and a
recirculation ratio of effluent 10:1 are suggested to assure the stabilization of the UASB reactor.

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It is important to remark that if alkalinity and pH descend, then removal efficiency of COD
dropped below 50% (see Figure 3b).

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[Here Figure 3a, b, c]

COD performance

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Figure 3b shows the behaviour of COD concentration at the outlet of the reactor and the COD
removal efficiency in function of time and OLR, during the period of operation. In general,

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when the OLR increased, COD removal efficiency also increased; in the same way, when the
OLR augmented, perturbations were provoked in the performance of the UASB reactor,
affecting the stability and in consequence the efficiency of the reactor diminished. The most
important instabilities were observed at days 48, 155 and 175 days. This phenomenon is
associated with the alkalinity decompensation due to an increment in the acidity for the feeding
of UASB reactor. After 50 day, with the optimal recirculation ratio, the average efficiencies of

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Environmental Technology

removal of organic matter were 75%, obtained when the pH and alkalinity of UASB reactor
effluent were about 7 and 6,900 mgl-1 respectively.

Despite the high COD removal efficiencies achieved from 75 to 80%, a significant fraction of
organic matter is still present in the effluent. Therefore, a post-treatment of aerobic type needs
to be considered to remove the residual COD, which could be an extended aeration process with

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operating parameters that allow not only to remove the organic matter but also the nutrients; in
order to meet the standards for discharge and/or agricultural reuse [2].

Methane production rate

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Methane production increased when OLR augmented in the reactor (Figure 3c), so it was
directly proportional to the amount of organic matter removed in the UASB reactor; therefore, if

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organic matter removal efficiency diminishes, methane production also decreases; contrary, if
the efficiency increases then the gas production also increases.

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Methane production was not significant when the UASB reactor was unstable during the first 50
days of operation; after this period, when the OLR changed from 7.5 to 15 kg m-3 d-1, methane

production increased considerably and removal efficiencies from 70 to 80 % were achieved.

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These indicators of stability of the UASB reactor are basically associated with the amount of
alkalinity present in the system.

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Methane production rate was determined graphically (Figure 4) from values of removal of
organic matter and methane production. Methane production rate obtained was 452 mlCH4 g-1
COD at normal conditions, equivalent to 335 ml CH4 g-1 COD at STP, methane production
obtained is very similar to the theoretic value of 350 mlCH4 g-1COD at STP [20].
[Here Figure 4]

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VFAs production
Concentration profiles of VFAs are presented in Figure 5a. In the first fifty days of the UASB
reactor operation, it can be observed an important accumulation of VFAs, this fate provoked the
drop of alkalinity; after this period when the optimal recirculation ratio was applied, the VFAs
concentration diminished and the reactor recovered the stability Also, an important
accumulation of VFAs was observed in 100, 155, 175 and 215 days, directly related with a

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change in the OLR; at the same time, a descent in alkalinity and pH is observed, thus removal
efficiency of COD was reduced, with an exception at day 215 where removal efficiency of COD
kept constant.

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Butyric acid concentration was in the range from 0 to 1,300 mgl-1 in the first 50 days of
operation and subsequently concentration was practically zero. Propionic acid concentration

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was in the range from 0 to 1,400 mgl-1 during the first one hundred days, on day 130 dropped
drastically and progressively increased to reach values about 2500, 3000 and 350 mgl-1 on days

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155, 175 and 215 respectively. Only acetic acid was accumulated reaching values close to 5000
mgl-1 in the 50 day, then, average values remained on 650 mgl-1. The accumulation of VFAs in

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different periods could be associated with an overload supply of VFAs in the feed, or with a

possible inhibition of methanogenic bacteria by environmental factors. A high accumulation of

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VFAs in the reactor could provoke the acidification of the media and produce a failure in the
digestion process.

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Stability of the UASB reactor can also be analysed considering the VFAs/Alk ratio behaviour in
function of time (Figure 5b) [22]. When the VFAs/Alk ratio was in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, the
performance of the reactor was stable without the risk of acidification, this period coincides
with the consideration of the effluent recirculation. Nevertheless, for VFAs/Alk 0.8, the reactor
was unstable therefore it is associated with a recirculation ratio smaller than 10:1 of the effluent

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and the changes of OLR, in both cases, the addition of NaHCO3 was necessary. These results
are similar with values reported for anaerobic processes with VFAs/Alk=0.1-0.4 [20].

CONCLUSIONS
In order to reach the best performance and stability of the UASB reactor during the treatment of
Tequila vinasses, a strategy based on the recirculation ratio 10:1 of the effluent was established,

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therefore the alkalinity was recuperated from the self-anaerobic process, keeping VFAs/Alk
ratio about 0.5. Accumulation of VFAs in the UASB reactor was determinant in the drop of pH
and in consequence in maintaining a COD removal efficiency greater than 75%, reaching a
methane production rate of 335 ml CH4g-1COD at SPT; representing an opportunity to generate

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energy and later an exploitation of source of energy in the anaerobic treatment of Tequila
vinasses.

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REFERENCES

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[1] M. Cedeo-Cruz, Tequila Production, Critical Reviews in Biotechnology 15 (1995), pp. 111.

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[2] A. Lpez-Lpez, G. Davila-Vazquez, E. Len-Becerril, E. Villegas-Garca, and J.

Gallardo-Valdez, Tequila Vinasses: Generation and Full Scale Treatment Processes, Rev
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[3] E. Espaa-Gamboa, J. Mijangos-Cortes, L. Barahona-Perez, J. Dominguez-Maldonado, G.

Hernandez-Zarate, and L. Alzate-Gaviria, Vinasses: Characterization and Treatments, Waste
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[5] K. Ilangovan, J. Linerio, and A. Noyola, Treatment of Tequila Distillery Waste Using Uasb
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Clean Soil, Air, Water (2013), pp. 1-8.

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[8] I.S. Arvanitoyannis, D. Ladas, and A. Mavromatis, Wine Waste Treatment Methodology,
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[9] R. Moletta, Winery and Distillery Wastewater Treatment by Anaerobic Digestion, Water
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[10] Y. Satyawali, and M. Balakrishnan, Wastewater Treatment in Molasses-Based Alcohol
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[11] A. Noyola, Treatment of Distillery Wastewaters, Proceedings of the Thrid International
Symposium of Waste Managment Problems in Agro-Industries, Mexico, 1995.
[12] G. Buitron, and C. Carvajal, Biohydrogen Production Form Tequila Vinasses in an
Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor: Effect of Initial Substrate Concentration, Temperature
and Hydraulic Retention Time, Bioresour Technol 101 (2010), pp. 9071-9077.

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[13] H.O. Mendez-Acosta, R. Snell-Castro, V. Alcaraz-Gonzlez, V. Gonzalez-Alvarez, and C.

Pelayo-Ortiz, Anaerobic Treatment of Tequila Vinasses in a Cstr-Type Digester, Biodegradation
21 (2010), pp. 357-363.
[14] F.M. Espinoza-Escalante, C. Pelayo-Ortiz, J. Navarro-Corona, Y. Gonzlez-Garca, A.
Bories, and H. Gutierrez-Pulido, Anaerobic Digestion of Vinasses from the Fermentation of
Agave Tequilana Weber to Tequila: The Effect of Ph, Temperature and Hydraulic Retention
Time on the Production of Hydrogen and Methane, Biomass Bioenergy 33 (2009), pp. 14-20.

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[15] E. lvarez, J. Linerio, A. Espinosa, R. Briones, K. Ilangovan, and A. Noyola, Tratamiento

Anaerobio de Vinazas Tequileras de Lecho de Lodos y Flujo Ascedente (UASB), Memorias del
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and J.A. Juregui-Juregui, Regulation of the Organic Pollution Level in Anaerobic Digesters
Using Off-Line Cod Measurements, Bioresour Technol 102 (2011), pp. 7666-7672.

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[17] P. Kaparaju, M. Serrano, and I. Angelidaki, Optimization of Biogas Production from

Wheat Straw Stillage in Uasb Reactor, Applied Energy 87 (2010), pp. 3779-3783.

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[18] K. Ilangovan, J. Lineiro, R. Briones, and A. Noyola, Anaerobic Treatment of Tequila

Vinasse, in Environmental Biotechnology and Cleaner Bioprocesses, E. Olguin, G. Sanchez and
E. Hernandez eds., Taylor & Francis, London, 1996, pp. 101-106.

[19] E. Hernandez-Martinez, H. Puebla, H.O. Mendez-Acosta, and J. Alvarez-Ramirez,

Fractality in Ph Time Series of Continuous Anaerobic Bioreactors for Tequila Vinasses
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[20] S.K. Khanal, Anaerobic Biotechnology for Bioenergy Production: Principles and
Applications, Iowa, USA, 2008.

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[21] APHA-AWWA-WEF, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
L. S. Clesceri, A. E. Greenberg and A. D. Eaton eds., American Public Health Assn-American
Waste Works Assn-Water Environment Federation, Washington DC, 1998.
[22] W. Park, S.H. Hyun, S.E. Oh, B.E. Logan, and K. I.S., Removal of Headspace CO2
Increases Biological Hydrogen Production, Environ Sci Technol 39 (2005), pp. 4416-4420.

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Table 1. Physicochemical characteristics of Tequila vinasse

Parameter

Centrifuged
Vinasse

Vinasse

(U.P)
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
ml l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
% w/w
% w/w
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1
mg l-1

3.500.06
106.0018.19
48,991.335,548.30
43,658.331,854.78
27,471.722,029.47
24,251.33276.23
30,505.673,956.18
4,383.335,581.74
177.80207.92
4205.535,374.89
26,152.331,658.08
175.00108.97
1.500.71
3,096.50398.10
2,298.79176.36
797.71574.46

3.65
97.44
35,648.00
31,250.00
21,040.00
18,375.00

323.0364.11
185.8737.83
312.6750.06
14.870.70
78.0312.20
5.230.64
72.8011.57
1.341.02
0.450.21
1,100380.8
1.180.28
20.1715.55
0.900.64

97.38
213.80
335.47
ND
76.80
65.20
11.60
ND
ND
ND

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Unit

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24,275.00
136.00
11.00
112.00
25,784.00
1.00
<1.00
2,815.00
2,174.09
640.91

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pH
Grease and oils
COD total
COD soluble
BOD total
BOD soluble
Total Solids
Total suspended solids
Fixed suspended solids
Volatile suspended solids
Total dissolved solids
Settleable solids
Total alkalinity
Total acidity
Fixed acidity
Volatile acidity
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Total phosphates
Total nitrogen
Organic nitrogen
Ammonia nitrogen
Reducing sugars
Direct sugars
Total sulphates
Copper
Iron
Zinc

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ND
ND
ND

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Figure captions

Figure 1. Schema of the experimental system.

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Figures 2. Neutralisation of vinasse a) with NaOH; b) with NaHCO3.

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Figure 3. Profiles in the UASB reactor: a) pH and alkalinity; b) COD at the outlet and COD
removal efficiency; c) Methane production rate.

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a)

b)

pH,

alkalinity

COD at the outlet;

COD removal efficiency

Figure 4. Graphical determination of methane production rate.

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Figures 5. a) VFAs profiles in the UASB reactor; b) VFAs/Alk ratio behaviour in function of

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Figure 1. Schema of the experimental system

78x92mm (150 x 150 DPI)

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Figures 2. Neutralisation of vinasse a) with NaOH; b) with NaHCO3.
127x88mm (150 x 150 DPI)

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Figures 2. Neutralisation of vinasse a) with NaOH; b) with NaHCO3.
126x90mm (150 x 150 DPI)

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Figure 3. Profiles in the UASB reactor: a) pH and alkalinity; b) COD at the outlet and COD removal
efficiency; c) Methane production rate.
171x187mm (150 x 150 DPI)

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Figure 4. Graphical determination of methane production rate.
168x96mm (150 x 150 DPI)

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Figures 5. a) VFAs profiles in the UASB reactor; b) VFAs/Alk ratio behaviour in function of time.
153x122mm (150 x 150 DPI)

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