Winery Wastewater Treatment
Biological Treatment: Anaerobic Systems in the Winery
Aerobic treatment of wastewater has been traditionally used for decades for high concentration winery wastewater. However, sludge disposal is becoming increasingly difficult due to stringent laws and aerobic processes producing a large amount of sludge. Moreover, aerobic processes require large amounts of energy to ensure proper aeration and hence are not only expensive to install, but also costly to operate. Anaerobic systems are smaller than aerobic systems and therefore require a smaller area of land in which to be installed. Further, they require a smaller power supply, cost less to run and produce less sludge which can be preserved for a number of months, reducing the need for sludge disposal.
Low-Rate Anaerobic Option
A conceptual low-rate anaerobic process for a large winery may consist of a lined, covered reactor lagoon constructed of native or imported earth fill. The reactor would have an influent and effluent distribution system and mixers; supernatant recycling and sludge systems; process instrumentation and controls; a compressed air system; biogas handling system, including an enclosed biogas flare with flame arrestor; a high density polyethylene (HDPE) liner with leak monitoring and collection capabilities to protect groundwater (any leakage that accrues is pumped back into the reactor); and a flexible, insulated geomembrane cover.
High-Rate Anaerobic Option
A conceptual high-rate anaerobic system for a large winery may consist of covered concrete reactors or tanks that treat winery wastewater biologically at a relatively high rate using what is known as a high-rate anaerobic reactor. Highrate anaerobic reactors include the anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR), the anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB), and the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR).
BioGas Handling and Energy Recovery
A by-product of anaerobic digestion of winery wastewater is biogas containing methane. Biogas can be captured and recovered for potential reuse as a supplemental fuel source for the winery, or if necessary, used to power hot water heaters/exchangers that raise the temperature of wastewater entering the anaerobic reactor(s) to optimize the treatment process.
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