Spanish Scientists Convert Wine Waste into Clean Energy and Valuable Chemicals

Researchers at the University of Cádiz, Spain, in collaboration with the University of Castilla-La Mancha, have developed a method to transform organic waste into clean energy and useful industrial compounds. The process combines sewage sludge with waste from wine distillation (vinasse) to produce renewable hydrogen and volatile fatty acids.

The innovation involves pre-treating the waste with ozone before dark fermentation. Dark fermentation is a biological process where bacteria break down organic matter without light or oxygen. Applying ozone to the sludge before mixing it with vinasse significantly boosts clean hydrogen production.

According to José Luis García, a researcher at the University of Cádiz, this ozone treatment breaks down large organic molecules into smaller, soluble fractions. This facilitates bacterial action during fermentation. The resulting hydrogen can be used in fuel cells for electricity generation or injected into gas networks.

The volatile fatty acids can serve as raw materials in chemical, cosmetic, and food industries. This approach aligns with circular economy principles, valorizing local waste streams and reducing environmental impact. An economic analysis demonstrates the profitability of this innovation, showing a positive economic margin after covering treatment and energy costs.