Beer industry wastewater

Beer industry wastewater refers to wastewater generated in the beer production process, mainly including wastewater generated by malt preparation, saccharification, fermentation, filtration, filling and other links. This type of wastewater has the characteristics of high organic concentration, high suspended matter, rich nitrogen and phosphorus content, large pH changes, etc. Improper treatment will have a serious impact on the environment. The following is an introduction to the source, characteristics, treatment methods and treatment equipment of beer industry wastewater: Wastewater Source and Characteristics: 1. Malt preparation wastewater: Mainly derived from malt soaking, germination, drying and other processes, containing a high concentration of soluble organic matter, sugars, amino acids, enzymes, etc., as well as a certain amount of suspended matter such as wheat husks and wheat grain fragments. 2. Saccharification wastewater: During the saccharification process, malt is mixed with hot water to form wort. The wastewater generated in the process contains a large amount of sugars, proteins, cellulose, minerals, etc., with a high organic concentration and an acidic pH value. 3. Fermentation wastewater: including fermentation tank washing water, yeast discharge water, etc., containing incompletely fermented sugars, amino acids, yeast cells, alcohol, organic acids, etc., with moderate organic concentration and pH value close to neutral. 4. Filtration and filling wastewater: including filter medium washing water, filling line flushing water, etc., with low organic concentration, but may contain chemicals such as detergents and disinfectants, as well as trace amounts of beer residues. 5. Cooling wastewater: During the beer cooling process, the heat exchanger will have some leakage or drainage. Although the organic concentration is low, heavy metals, microorganisms, etc. may accumulate due to the recycling of cooling water. Treatment methods and equipment: 1. Pretreatment: - Screen: intercept large particles of suspended matter to protect subsequent equipment. - Sedimentation tank (such as primary sedimentation tank): use gravity sedimentation to separate suspended matter and reduce organic matter load. - Flotation: combine microbubbles with suspended flocs to make them float and separate. - Regulating tank: balance water quality and water volume to ensure stable operation of subsequent treatment facilities. 2. Biological treatment: - Anaerobic biological treatment (such as UASB, EGSB, etc.): Under anaerobic conditions, anaerobic microorganisms are used to decompose organic matter to produce biogas (recyclable) and biogas residue (further treatment). - Aerobic biological treatment (such as activated sludge method, biofilm method, etc.): Under aerobic conditions, aerobic microorganisms oxidize and decompose organic matter to reduce the content of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen, and produce sludge (need further treatment). 3. Deep treatment: - Coagulation and sedimentation: Add coagulants (such as PAC, PAM) to flocculate suspended matter and colloidal substances, and remove them by sedimentation or flotation. - Filtration (such as sand filtration, activated carbon filtration, etc.): Further remove fine suspended matter and dissolved organic matter to improve the effluent quality. - Disinfection (such as ultraviolet disinfection, sodium hypochlorite disinfection, etc.): Kill pathogenic microorganisms to ensure that the effluent is harmless. 4. Sludge treatment: - Concentration (such as concentration tank, belt concentrator, etc.): Reduce sludge volume and increase solid content. - Dehydration (such as belt filter press, plate and frame filter press, etc.): further reduce the moisture content of sludge to form mud cake for subsequent disposal. - Stabilization (such as anaerobic digestion, aerobic composting, etc.): reduce the content of organic matter and reduce potential environmental pollution risks through biodegradation or thermochemical reaction. Resource recovery and utilization: - Biogas utilization: Biogas produced during anaerobic digestion can be used as energy for power generation or heating. - Nutrient recovery: recover nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen in wastewater through chemical precipitation or biological adsorption, and use them for agricultural fertilization or as chemical raw materials. - Recycled water reuse: wastewater that has been deeply treated can be reused as non-drinking water sources such as cooling water and flushing water to save water resources. In summary, the treatment of beer industry wastewater needs to combine pretreatment, biological treatment, deep treatment and sludge treatment and other multi-stage processes to ensure that the wastewater meets the discharge standards, while actively recycling resources to achieve wastewater reduction, harmlessness and resource utilization. The selection and combination of various treatment equipment should be customized according to the characteristics of the wastewater and the treatment objectives.