Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by Daniela-Mihaela GRIGORE, Maria-Luiza MIRCEA, Jamila YEHMED, Ionuţ Nicolae RANGA, Elena Narcisa POGURSCHI
Brewery wastewater, a waste of the brewing process, presents significant environmental and operational challenges due to its high organic load, nutrient content, and volume. However, its valorisation offers a promising avenue for sustainable resource recovery, particularly in the food industry. This study explores innovative treatment technologies and circular economy strategies to transform brewery wastewater into valuable resources. Anaerobic digestion and membrane bioreactor systems enable the recovery of clean water for reuse in cleaning and cooling processes while generating biogas as a renewable energy source. Nutrient recovery technologies facilitate the extraction of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can serve as biofertilizers for agricultural use or as growth substrates in food-grade fermentation processes. The integration of brewery wastewater valorisation pathways mitigates environmental impacts while enhancing brewery industry profitability and contributing to food industry innovation. This study underscores the potential of brewery wastewater as a resource, highlighting the importance of technological advancements and interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving sustainable food systems.
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