ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study aimed to present an index (IEP) to evaluate the environmental performance of the sugar-energy industrial process based on the waste generated in manufacturing operations. The residues considered in this study were: vinasse, filter cake, ash and soot, residual waters, and sewage sludge. Methods: The index created was developed to take into account, and to be directly proportional to the environmental impact of each residue generated by the sugar-energy production, to the relative spatial dispersion that each waste can reach, and to the environmental fragility of the hydrographic basin where the plant under evaluation is inserted and works. The lower IEP, the better the company valuation. Results: The index was tested in a real company and exhibited an IEP Total = 1,4.1013 km2.p/yr, which shows weak waste management by the enterprise. Vinasse was responsible for 50% of the IEP Total, while filter cake contributed 45% to it. Ash and soot, residual waters, and sewage sludge were together responsible for 5% of the IEP Total. Conclusion: The theoretical conception used in this study is inspiring for the development of new studies on environmental assessment measurement. The study showed that vinasse is the most problematic waste in environmental terms, a conclusion that is in line with academic studies. Nevertheless, the waste with the greatest potential impact on the environment is filter cake. Despite this, filter cake presented a lower IEP(i) than vinasse, given that its negative impact on the basin is smaller. Both wastes contributed 95% of the IEP Total, which places them among the residues to be managed with greater attention.
ABSTRACT
RESUMO Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar o desempenho ambiental das usinas sucroenergéticas pertencentes à Bacia do Rio Mogi Guaçu. Com a identificação dos resíduos e subprodutos gerados em cada etapa do processo produtivo do açúcar e do etanol, identificaramse seus impactos potenciais e realizouse, por meio do método Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), uma ponderação quantitativa do impacto ambiental relativo de cada resíduo/subproduto considerando o despejo desses poluentes nas águas, no solo e na atmosfera. A partir disso, avaliaramse, por intermédio de pesquisa em campo, as usinas da bacia com base na destinação dada a 27 diferentes resíduos/subprodutos. Concluise que produção industrial sucroenergética apresentou maior impacto ambiental relativo nas águas (67,4%), seguida por solo (22,6%) e atmosfera (10,07%). Com base nos conhecimentos científicos atestados até o presente momento sobre os impactos ambientais de cada despejo, também foi possível concluir que as destinações dos resíduos/subprodutos das usinas são, em média, 95% adequadas.
ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the environmental performance of the plants belonging to sugar energy plants of the River Mogi Guaçu Basin. With the identification of waste and byproducts generated at each stage of sugar and ethanol production process, were identified the potential impacts and carried out a quantitative estimation of the relative environmental impact of each waste/byproduct considering the dumping of these pollutants in water, soil and atmosphere. From this, it was evaluated through field research, the plants of the basin based on the destination given to twentyseven different waste/byproducts. It was concluded that industrial sugar energy production presents greater environmental impact on waters (67.4%), followed by sand (22.6%) and air (10.7%). Based on scientific knowledge attested to date on the environmental impacts of each dump, also was concluded that the allocations of waste/byproducts of plants are on average 95% adequate.
