Análise de tecnologias de processamento de vinhaça no Brasil considerando aspectos ambientais

Abstract

The economic valuation of environmental aspects of vinasse processing presented as the necessary methodology combined with the proposition of government policies in search of the best use in Brazil.Vinasse is an organic material rich in potassium, and its inadequate disposal in the soil can contaminate groundwater, as well as pollution heat generation and release temperature causing damage to the environment. Fertigation, concentration, and aerobic or anaerobic digestion are the leading technologies for the use of vinasse. These alternatives have different impacts on the environment; however, the weight of the environmental aspect in the decision remains under discussion. Firstly, questionnaires drawn, consulting experts on the environmental and economic aspects of the decision to move to more sustainable technologies. The answers show that the decisions of the companies motivated mainly by the economic question, and the current technological change would make only if the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is at the level of 25% to 30%. Next, this work proposed the quantification of environmental aspects in the economic evaluation of the technologies. The environmental valuation realized considering the carbon credit, the economy with mineral fertilizers, and the avoided cost with environmental fines. Because of the above, environmental fines applied to sugarcane plants in Brazil were analyzed by environmental agencies and judicial processes to map the economic and legal risk of not treating and proper disposal of vinasse. Then, an environmental analysis study carried out using Simpro and Openlca computational systems to quantify what are the main aspects that influence the environment pollution using the most feasible technologies for processing vinasse. However, it mapped which environmental impacts are present in the legal framework and whether there is an objective form of punishment and fines for each environmental impact. Finally, considering the proposed modeling applied and was writing law proposal seeking the best use of vinasse in Brazil.