MBR AND THE WINE INDUSTRY

In the wine industry, proper wastewater management is a key challenge, especially in wineries that experience significant seasonal variations between the off-season and harvest. In this context, MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) technology has become a robust, compact, and highly effective solution for ensuring advanced water treatment.

At PROSIMED, we have years of experience developing, installing, and improving MBR systems specifically tailored to the industry.

Below, we present a real-world case study that illustrates the results achieved.

Detalle compartimento de homogenización

MBR Wastewater Treatment Plant at a Winery in Aragon

Several years ago, we installed an MBR wastewater treatment plant at a winery in Aragon. The plant was designed, manufactured, and commissioned by PROSIMED, and we also provide regular maintenance services.

Design and capacity

The plant is sized to treat 25 m³/h and features a complete treatment line:

Raw water pumping
Preliminary screening using a rotary filter
Homogenization with aeration
Neutralization, nutrient dosing, and defoaming
MBR (activated sludge + ultrafiltration using 0.1 µm PVDF membranes)
Treated water storage tank
SCADA control with remote connection

The MBR module consists of flat PVDF plates mounted on a removable stainless steel frame, with permeate and aeration manifolds made of ABS. This facilitates maintenance and ensures uniform filtration.

Analytical results: purification efficiency of over 99%

During operation, the analyses show outstanding performance:

Parameter	Raw Water	Treated Water	Performance
COD	8,500 mg/L	31 mg/L	> 99%
BOD₅	3,500 mg/L	11 mg/L	> 99%
Suspended solids (SS)	450 mg/L	5 mg/L	99%

Furthermore, these results confirm that the quality of the treated water comfortably meets the discharge limits required for public waterways, even during periods of peak pollutant load.

CONCLUSION

As a result, the case of the Aragonese winery demonstrates that MBR technology is a mature and effective solution for wastewater treatment in wineries:

Removal efficiencies exceeding 99% for COD, BOD₅, and suspended solids
Stability in the face of seasonal variations
High-quality effluent, suitable for discharge or reuse
Compact installation, easy to operate and maintain

Consequently, thanks to this project, the winery has consistently met discharge limits. Furthermore, it has optimized its water treatment processes. This demonstrates that MBR is a safe and sustainable investment.