Challenge
A locally-based QLD micro-brewery was looking for a cost-effective water-treatment system capable of treating its waste water to solve two challenges:
- Clean waste water for discharge according to EPA guidelines.
- Clean waste water safe for irrigation and livestock drinking.
Solution
Blue Quest ran a trial of the micro-brewery's waste water. Brewery waste water was pumped directly into Blue Quest's V1 prototype. The system performed well with no membrane degradation. Samples were periodically taken over three independent passes. Results through independent analysis showed Blue Quest's system removed bacteria and suspended solids to a point where filtrate samples met both industry standards and the customer's secondary-use guidelines.
✓ INDEPENDENTLY VALIDATED BY ALS LABORATORIES · THREE-PASS SAMPLING ON V1 PROTOTYPE
Benefits
Discharge water becomes a usable resource
Brewery discharge water can be repurposed elsewhere within the plant — including potential recycling and re-use in the fermentation process — reducing fresh-water usage costs.
Disposal cost line removed
Cost associated with shipping waste water from site weekly is eliminated. For small brewery organisations the monthly savings opportunity is upwards of $25k per month.
Retrofits without disrupting brewing
Blue Quest's low-footprint, low-power system is capable of being retrofitted to small plants without interrupting current configurations or brewing processes.
What this proves
For any food or beverage producer paying to ship waste water off-site — micro-breweries, distilleries, dairies, food processors — the economics carry directly. Treated water that meets discharge spec is a free-on-site resource; treated water that meets livestock-drinking spec is a saleable one.