The brewing process involves a number of ingredients that are totally natural, and likely seem completely harmless. This isn’t quite the case, as high levels of TSS, BOD, and COD are present in the wastewater byproduct. These substances can be costly and difficult to treat, which can impede the entire brewery’s efficiency.
The bottom line: While breweries may mostly use just natural hops and barley, they can still wind up with waste that requires a complex process to purify. And yet, this wastewater treatment process is essential to render those byproducts safe for disposal or release.
A Closer Look at Brewery Wastewater
To understand what makes brewery wastewater so difficult to treat, it may be helpful to take a closer look at what’s actually in this effluent.
Characteristics of brewery wastewater effluent include:
- Very high levels of alcohol and sugar
- Solids that very easily congeal into sludge
- Average COD of over 5000 mg/L
- Average BOD of over 3000 mg/L
- Total Suspended Solids (TSS) that average 1800 mg/L
Brewery Wastewater Hazards
Simply put, the wastewater effluents created by breweries do not meet regulatory standards for release, which is why breweries must invest in effective wastewater treatment processes.
The problem is, these processes can often be time-consuming and expensive, particularly because high levels of oxygen are required in order to clarify and aerate the wastewater.
Additionally, brewery wastewater typically has a high acidity level, which brings with it a risk of corrosion. Specifically, brewery wastewater often generates hydrogen sulfide gas. This can create sulfuric acid as it mixes with water vapor. This all results in damage to the brewery’s containers. Improper wastewater treatment may lead to significant equipment failure over time.
Finally, brewery wastewater levels fluctuate depending on the brewery’s current activity level, and on what specifically is being brewed. At certain points, the risk of solid sludge may be particularly high, requiring removal during the wastewater treatment process.
How is Brewery Wastewater Treated?
Aeration is required to effectively treat the wastewater produced by a brewery. By pumping oxygen into their effluent, breweries can produce helpful bacteria, which can break down and eliminate some of the excess sugar and alcohol that’s left behind. This process results in treated and environmentally friendly water, safe for release or disposal.
There are some obstacles to this wastewater treatment process, and breweries should be aware of them. For example, producing high levels of oxygen requires a lot of power, which can cause electricity costs to increase. Ultimately, though, these costs are usually minor when compared to the costs associated with handling impure, untreated wastewater.
Learn More About Wastewater Treatment
Effective wastewater treatment requires the very best technology. That’s where PHS comes in. For decades, we have been a national leader in wastewater treatment technology, and we’re thrilled to provide a range of options for breweries. We’d love to tell you more about some of the technologies we can offer. Reach out to PHS at your next convenience.