Characterization and Potential Evaluation of Residues from the Sugarcane Industry of Rio Grande do Sul in Biorefinery Processes

Abstract

Brazil is the world largest producer of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) leading to a great generation of residues such as bagasse and straw, which represent two thirds of sugarcane energetic potential. Regarding these residues energetic potential, it is interesting to study their application in biorefinery processes. Thus, this work aimed at performing a chemical characterization of sugarcane straw and bagasse from RB867515 cultivar grown in Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil aiming at their use as feedstock in biorefinery processes. The obtained results were compared to data from other states and it was possible to conclude that edaphoclimatic conditions of Rio Grande do Sul have little influence in sugarcane residues chemical composition. Sugarcane bagasse presents larger potential for energetic use because of its volatiles content (74.82%) slightly higher than straw (68.90%), besides its high lignin content (21.85%) and higher calorific value (18.70 MJ/kg). Both sugarcane residues produced in Rio Grande do Sul have potential use as substrate in the obtainment of high value-added products from their cellulosic fractions (41.30% and 37.25%, respectively). The evaluation of energetic and chemical potential of sugarcane bagasse and straw produced in Rio Grande do Sul leads to the conclusion that these materials have high potential for use as feedstock in biorefineries.

An Assessment of Potential Resources for Biomass Energy in Nigeria

“…The leaves are also called sugarcane trash and are generally burnt in fields. This produces fly ash and severely damages soil microbial diversity and raises environmental concerns [200,201]. By-products of sugarcane have found application in medicine, pharmaceuticals, confectionary and beverages, electricity, and motor fuels [202].…”

“…Machado et al [200] noted that both the bagasse and leaves of sugarcane have potential to be used as substrates to obtain high value-added products from their cellulosic fractions, such as organic acids, biofuels, and biopolymers. Bispo et al [203] produced bio-oil through pyrolysis of sugarcane straw.…”

Compositional Analysis of Zimbabwean Sugarcane Bagasse Ash Towards Production of Nano Silicon for Solar Cell Application

“…SCB showed higher volatile matter of 58.54% compared to SCBBA and SCBFA with 5.46% and 4.89%, respectively, as these two are by-products from burning of bagasse in the boiler. High volatile matter and fixed carbon for SCB positively influence the biomass calorific value (CV) ( [5,13]). The CV for SCB, SCBBA and SCBFA were 17.…”

Sugarcane Bagasse: Analysis of Polyphenols, Compounds With Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

“…Data from Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento estimates that, for the 2016/17 harvest, Brazilian sugarcane production was 694.54 million tons, which makes Brazil the world largest producer of sugarcane [1][2]. The solid residue from sugarcane processing represents about 40.11% of dry matter [3], rendering a great opportunity for the waste valorization with the aim of managing waste in the most sustainable way.…”

“…In this scenario, Machado et al [2] observed that sugarcane bagasse has high potential for use as feedstock in biorefineries. Silveira et al [4] utilized the residue as substrate for Monascus purpureus for red pigment production in submerged cultivations.…”