| abstract |
The present invention discloses a technical solution whereby liquid and solid residues from sugarcane processing are subjected to material and energy exploitation, avoiding environmental pollution. To this end, proven steps in the biotechnological process are used, so that the energy potential of the biogenic carbon present in the waste is harnessed to a large extent and the inorganic plant nutrients present in the waste are preserved predominantly in a form available to plants. To this end, during sugarcane processing, mixtures of the liquid, finely divided and crushed solid waste are produced, partially used directly during the processing season and, for use outside the processing season, are ensiled in a storage region (8) with a low loss level. ensiled waste mixtures are subjected to biotechnological exploitation in the same way as fresh waste mixtures. According to the multistage biotechnological process of the invention, residues that are rich in crude fiber and carbohydrates are initially treated in a hydrolysis station (11). The obtained hydrolysates are successively fermented physically separated from each other in different anaerobic environments in a plurality of fermenting stations (12, 13), in which case adapted microcultures are employed and known devices are used to ensure continuous culture. |