Produção de ácido succínico a partir da fermentação do bagaço da cana-de-açúcar

Abstract

Succinic acid is widely used in various industries, such as food, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. The commercial production of this acid is still largely carried out by chemical synthesis using petroleum. However, the concern for the availability of nonrenewable resources and environmental problems associated with these processes arouses interest in the production of chemicals from biological processes. Thus, the objective of this work is the commercial production of Succinic Acid by fermentative route using sugarcane bagasse and the investigation of the best conditions for the conversion of residual biomass into the product of interest. The stages of production are reception of the raw material, acid hydrolysis, filtration, enzymatic hydrolysis, sterilization, fermentation, centrifugation, acidification, distillation, recovery and, finally, the crystallization, drying and filling of Succinic Acid. The annual expected production for the industrial unit is 12.220,00 tons of Succinic Acid, with 99,62% purity, sold at a price of R$ 27,28/kg, mostly for export. The industrial unit will be located in Guatapará, São Paulo, Brazil, requiring an initial investment of R$ 161.199.965,93 to build the plant and structure the process. According to the economic feasibility analysis, the project is economically viable and the return on investment will take place in 6 years.