Water and wastewater minimisation study of a citrus plant

Water is used in most process industries for a wide range of applications. Processes and systems using water today are being subjected to increasingly stringent environmental regulations on effluents and there is growing demand for fresh water. These changes have increased the need for better water management and wastewater minimisation. Water minimisation techniques can effectively reduce overall fresh water demand and the overall effluent generated. Thus, resulting in lower costs of fresh water and effluent treatment costs. Water pinch analysis embedded in wastewater minimisation techniques offers simple methods and beneficial results when applied to water using industries. This paper describes a water and wastewater minimisation study carried out for a citrus plant located in Argentina. Citrus juice processing plants utilise large quantities of fresh water. As part of this process, significant quantities of wastewater are produced when it comes into contact with the water using operations. The objective of this study is primarily based on reducing the overall fresh water consumption and wastewater produced in this plant, utilising water pinch technology. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.