A review of biogas production from sugarcane vinasse

Vinasse is considered as the largest source of contamination in the ethanol production industry from sugarcane. Vinasse can be used to produce suitable fertilizer; however, it contains low macronutrients and micronutrients. On the other hand, it is one of the resources with a high potential for biogas production. The biogas production from vinasse has both economical and environmental benefits. Nevertheless, vinasse has a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio; thus, complementary substances, e.g., animal manure, organic industrial waste, and lime fertilizers, should be added to improve the biogas yield. Currently, 22.4 gigalitres of vinasse are produced throughout the world, which have the potential for producing 407.68 gigalitres of biogas. This potential can be considered as a significant source of renewable energy. This paper gives a general summary of the properties of vinasse and the production of biogas from vinasse. Furthermore, a review of the optimal conditions for biogas production, the potential of biogas production, and the advantages of biogas production from vinasse are provided.