EUBCE 2026 - Sureewan SITTIJUNDA - Valorization of Vinasse for Bioenergy Production: Investigating Microplastics Influence on Two-Stage and One-Stage Anaerobic Digestion for Hydrogen and Methane

Valorization of Vinasse for Bioenergy Production: Investigating Microplastics Influence on Two-Stage and One-Stage Anaerobic Digestion for Hydrogen and Methane

Short Introductive summary

This study investigates the valorization of vinasse, a high-strength industrial wastewater from bioethanol production, into hydrogen and methane through optimized anaerobic digestion while assessing the impact of HDPE microplastic contamination. Using batch fermentation experiments with varying vinasse concentrations (5-20 g-COD/L), microplastic levels (0-168 mg/L), and inoculum concentrations (5-15 g-VS/L), the research compares two-stage versus one-stage anaerobic digestion processes. Results demonstrate that two-stage digestion achieves 84% higher energy yields (18.75 kJ/L-substrate) than one-stage processes (10.17 kJ/L-substrate). Optimal conditions were identified at 20 g-COD/L vinasse, 84 mg/L HDPE-MPs, and 15 g-VS/L inoculum. Moderate microplastic concentrations enhanced biogas production through increased microbial attachment surfaces, while excessive levels showed inhibitory effects. This research provides evidence-based operational parameters for industrial waste-to-energy systems supporting circular bioeconomy development and climate change mitigation.

S. Sittijunda, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, THAILAND
C. Ponuansri, Khon Kaen University, THAILAND
S. Aimampiy, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, THAILAND
A. Reungsang, Khon Kaen University, THAILAND