Optimisation of the Ion exchange juice treatment plant at Ashton Cellars

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Recently concern has been raised regarding effluent from wine cellars, as it often doesnot comply with environmental legislation. It was with this in mind that the effluentproblem at Ashton Cellars was addressed.After carrying out a water audit of the plant, described in Chapter 3, it was concludedthat the ion exchange plant is a significant contributor to the low pH and highconductivity of the effluent dam. Decreasing the effluent from the ion exchange plantshould therefore help in improving the total effluent quality. During the water auditopportunities to improve the effluent by making small process changes in the cellarwere identified.The primary objective of this study was to provide guidelines to improve the qualityand decrease the volume of the effluent from the ion-exchange plant to moreenvironmentally acceptable levels, whilst maintaining product specifications andproduction rates. This was achieved by studying the operation of the plant (Chapter 4)and testing the characteristics of the current and alternative resins (Chapter 5).Auditing of the ion exchanges plant included a detailed analysis of the regenerationand loading of the ion exchange columns. It was concluded that the operation of theplant can only be optimised once pH and/or conductivity meters, and preferably anautomated control system, are installed on the plant. The results given in this thesiscan be used as a guide when setting up such a control system.Laboratory testing of the resins revealed that the cation resin currently being used onthe plant has been fouled and loads at a slow rate. When the resins are replaced, theuse of Purolite CISO and Purolite A103S should be considered as these resins gavethe most favourable results.Some alternative treatment methods for the processing of grape must, have beenmentioned in Chapter 6.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University