Essence, principle, and technique in utilization and converting vinasse waste to bio-organic fertilizer

Abstract

Abstract The increased need for energy resources that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases triggers ethanol demand has increased. Production of ethanol from biomass produces by-product waste (vinasse). Vinasse waste management could be a great opportunity. It is about 6 trillion liters of these materials will need to be managed in 2023 since each liter of bioethanol produced around 9-14 liters of vinasse. Converting vinasse to bio-organic fertilizer needs proper waste management. This study aims to describe the essence, fundamentals, importance, benefits, and challenges together with the principles, stages, and techniques required to convert vinasse waste into bio-organic fertilizer. The fundamental of converting vinasse waste into bio-organic fertilizer includes 1) taming the toxic elements and other contaminants and 2) enriching and elevating its organic and nutrient contents to fulfill its function as an excellent fertilizer. The data from the laboratory analysis result showed that vinasse waste contains: 1) heavy metals As, Hg, Pb, Cr, and Ni that are still lower than the permissible threshold index, 2) high organic and N-organic ingredients, 3) high main macronutrients (N-P-K), 4) low level of main micronutrients of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mo and a moderate level of Mn and B. The proposed ultimate steps required to covert vinasse waste to bio-organic fertilizer are: 1) physical detoxication/decontamination by soaking in zeolite rock fraction, 2) preparation of techniques and formulas to tame the toxic and contaminants and enhancing macronutrients and micronutrients, 3) testing the effect of the produced bio-organic fertilizer on soil and plants on a greenhouse scale, 4) testing the effect of the produced bio-organic fertilizers on soil and plants on a field scale, 5) evaluating and improving the bio-organic fertilizer formulas.