Winery effluent treatment by electrocoagulation / electroflotation and use of biofilters
Loading...
Date
2026-02-26
Authors
Κάκκου, Μαρία
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The degradation of water quality, largely driven by industrialization and rapid population growth, represents a major global challenge with direct consequences for both natural ecosystems and human societies. Although Greece is not highly industrialized, it still faces significant issues related to the pollution of its water resources. Therefore, the development and implementation of effective pollution control technologies is essential in order to ensure environmental sustainability.
Within this context, the present diploma thesis investigates the treatment of winery wastewater through the combined application of electrocoagulation/electroflotation processes and biological filtration systems. Winery effluents are characterized by high organic load, suspended solids, intense coloration, and seasonal variability, which pose considerable environmental challenges when discharged untreated into receiving water bodies.
Electrocoagulation experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions to evaluate the efficiency of electrochemical treatment as a primary remediation method. The process promotes the in situ generation of coagulant species, destabilization of colloidal particles, flotation of
suspended matter, and reduction of organic pollutants. Key performance indicators included chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, suspended solids, and color removal efficiency.
Following electrochemical treatment, biofilters were applied as a polishing step to further reduce residual organic matter and enhance effluent quality. The integration of physicochemical and biological treatment mechanisms was assessed in terms of treatment efficiency and environmental sustain
ability.
The results demonstrated that electrocoagulation/electroflotation achieved significant pollutant removal, including COD reductions exceeding 30-35%, turbidity removal above 90% in certain cases, while in others, the percentages are lower, and substantial color reduction. Subsequent biofiltration further improved effluent stabilization, leading to overall organic load removal approaching 90-95%. The combined treatment approach proved to be an effective and environmentally friendly alternative for winery wastewater management, with no chemical use and improved treatment performance compared to conventional methods.
Overall, the study highlights the potential of hybrid electrochemical-biological systems as sustainable solutions for agro-industrial wastewater treatment, contributing to improved environmental protection and more efficient resource management within the wine production sector.
Description
Keywords
Electrocoagulation, Winery, Biofilters, Winery wastewater, Electroflotation