Bruna Da Nóbrega Germano,Márcia Maria Guedes Alcoforado de Moraes, UFPE, Economia, nobrega.bruna@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to create a platform to measure the net social gain of adopting a new economic use of vinasse by the bioethanol industry in the first section of the Pirapama river basin. An integrated economic-hydrologic model previously developed for that purpose was used. This model maximizes bioethanol producers' benefits aggregated to the benefits of the other water consumers of that portion of the river (which are subject to restrictions on water availability and quality) and analyzes two different scenarios (with and without biogas production). The results showed that the net gains received by users are greater when the biogas production alternative is considered. Additionally, viable terms for returns on the investment in anaerobic biodigestion technology can be obtained by two of the three agribusinesses analyzed when considering the potential benefits of adopting this technology.
Keywords: fertirrigation, anaerobic digestion, social benefit.