Simulation and technoeconomic assessment of vinasse‐to‐energy treatments for pollution mitigation: A biorefinery approach

Abstract Vinasse is a major organic industrial effluent with significant polluting effects. Its management and valorization are essential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of ethanol production. This study used Aspen HYSYS v11 to simulate and conduct a technoeconomic evaluation of two vinasse‐to‐energy treatment alternatives: A1 – incineration and electricity generation using concentrated vinasse (60 °Bx), and A2 – anaerobic digestion of diluted vinasse (7 °Bx) with electricity generation. Property prediction and evaluation employed the Lee–Kesler–Plöcker (LKP) and NBS Steam packages for A1, and the Peng–Robinson–Stryjek–Vera (PRSV) and NBS Steam packages for A2. Model validation produced results consistent with the literature. In A1, 198.6 kg h −1 of fertilizer ash was produced, and surplus energy was generated, whereas A2 generated 472.5 kWh of electricity from biogas, with 77.52% removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Both alternatives reduced vinasse pollution significantly while valorizing the waste into energy and value‐added products. Economic analysis confirmed the feasibility of both with positive net present values (NPVs) and internal rates of return (IRRs) exceeding the 12% discount rate. Alternative A1 was superior, yielding an NPV of USD 1.29 million, an IRR of 25.5%, and a payback period (PBP) of 1.8 years.