Wastewater management in a cane molasses distillery involving bioresource recovery

Waste management involving bioresource recovery in a cane molasses-based distillery engaged in the manufacture of rectified spirit (alcohol) is described. The spentwash generated from the distillation of fermenter wash is highly acidic (pH 4.0-4-3) with high rates of biochemical and chemical oxygen demand (BOD: 52-58, COD: 92-100 kg/m(3)) and suspended solids (2.0-2.5 kg/m(3)). Biogas is recovered from high strength raw spentwash through the full-scale application of a biomethanation system as pretreatment option, comprising anaerobic fixed film reactors. This, combined with subsequent concentration through multiple effect evaporators (MEE), and utilization of concentrated effluent for biocomposting of pressmud (another by-product of the industry) for production of biomanure contributes to the elimination of effluent discharges. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.