Project number
UWC BB 20-01
Project leader
Bladergroen, B J
Institution
South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry Energy Storage and Fluid Treatment Centre, University of the Western Cape
Project completed
2024
Co-funding
Project is co-funded by The Department of Science and Innovation.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Objectives and Rationale
Wineries generate large volumes of wastewater throughout the year that cannot be disposed of in natural systems without pre-treatment. Shear enhanced flotation separation (SEFS) technology is envisaged to treat winery wastewater to a reusable standard and to generate a concentrated solid waste, which potentially could be used as fertilizer.
Methods
A SEFS system was designed, fabricated and commissioned to treat real winery wastewater. Winery wastewater has been collected from Winery X, located on the West Coast of South Africa during the harvest season. The results obtained at pilot scale have been compared to that obtained in the lab.
Key Results
Based on both laboratory and pilot plant optimized conditions, the SEFS technology has demonstrated greater effectiveness compared to the study conducted in previous years. This heightened efficacy can be primarily attributed to a significantly enhanced comprehension and mastery over the reactions occurring throughout the pilot plant treatment process.
Key Conclusion of Discussion
The results of this study concluded that the incorporation of a rotor stator high shear mixer enhances the treatment of winery wastewater. The SEFS treatment produces water that can be either used as grey water or can be further biologically treated to obtain better quality treated wastewater for crops.
Take Home message for Industry
Through our research we conducted a thorough evaluation of winery wastewater treatment constraints across the South African wine industry. This has provided insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sector using shear to enhance treatment efficiency.