cellar

Management of fining and filter waste in wineries

WineLaod September 2012

Nwabisa Zingeiwa Masekwana - ARC lnfruitec-Nietvoorbij, Stellenbosch

Keywords: solid waste, disposal, storage, recycling.

Nwabisa Zingelwa Masekwana

Introduction

Wine production generates wastewater and solid waste. In addi-

tion to seeds, skins and stems, solid waste includes material

from wine clarification processes (Van Schoor, 2005). The latter

is composed of fining materials and filter waste (Walsdorff et al., 2004). Fining agents, the most common being bentonite, settle

particles in wine by gravity (Gibson, 2002). Other fining agents

include siliceous earths, protein fining agents and polyvinylpo-

lypyrrholidone (PVPP) (Ribereau-Gayon etal., 2003). The result-

ant wastes can be used in ethanol and tartrate recovery

(Walsdorif et al., 2004). Bentonite waste can be used in agricul-

ture as an additive to organic potting soil and organic fertilisers

due to its ability to suspend nutrients (EPA, 2001). Inappropriate

disposal of bentonite waste can cause problems such as oxygen

deficiency (anoxia) in the soil, destruction of the soil absorption

system and clogging of drainage systems (EPA, 2004).

Filtering involves the removal of undesirable materials using an

agent during the last stages of winemaking (Ribereau-Gayon et

al., 2003). Diatomaceaous earth (DE), a fine grained silica pow-

der, is commonly used in bulk filtration of red wines. Most DE

waste is disposed of in landfills or on site with no further use

(VIalsdorff et al., 2004). Perlite, another filtration agent, is a stone

with the same composition as glass and is used in drum filtration.

Cellulose, made from selected wood and reduced to produce a

soft dry powder, is used either as an additive or as filter sheets

(Ribereau-Gayon et al., 2003). Cellulose is a biodegradable

natural plant product, and is therefore considered environmen-

tally friendly. Cross-flow and vacuum filtration require no filter

agents, as wine is forced through a surface and is filtered from

the resultant pressure (Gibson, 2002). Filter waste is high in

organic matter and may consist of skins, leaves, stems, seeds, yeast cells, dirt and filtration media and can therefore be cam-

posted (VJalsdorff of al., 2004). Guidelines state that solid wastes

should be handled in such a manner that there is minimal envi-

ronmental risk (Van Schoor, 2005). Such guidelines also include

stringent rules on solid waste treatment, storage (containers and

locations), collection and disposal (Van Schoor & Rossouw,

2004), to promote environmentally safe practices. Seepage of

tartrates from wine into the soil, or water, can lead to changes in

soil pH, soil structure, and also pollution of ground water. If waste

is disposed of on land, it should first be analysed and monitored

to ensure that applications and application rates do not have

adverse effects on soil, plants and water resources (Hazell,

1998). Van Schoor (2005) further states that waste should also

be disposed of responsibly. The National Environmental Manage-

ment Act (NEMA) (1998), states that where waste production

cannot be avoided, the waste should be recycled or re-used.

Wineries are encouraged to follow these guidelines.

The aim of this study was to identify agents used during wine

fining and filtering, their handling, disposal and recycling of

waste, as well as potential environmental impacts and risks that

may arise.

Survey methodology Wineries were selected as representative of the industry on the

basis of region and production volumes. Three wine districts of the

Western Cape namely, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester were

included in the survey. Four large scale wineries, i.e. production>

2000 tons, as well as four small/medium scale wineries, i.e. pro-

duction between 20 and 1000 tons, were selected from each

district, totalling 24 wineries. The selected wineries were invited to

complete questionnaires. Two from the small/medium scale winer -

ies in the Stellenbosch district were not returned. Oral interviews

and on-site visits were done at all wineries in the Paarl and

Worcester districts. In Stellenbosch only the four large scale winer-

ies were visited. Data collected from the various wineries reported

on the following factors: (i) identifying fining and filtering materials

and processes, (ii) volumes of fining and filtering materials used (iii)

waste volumes and (iv) storage, disposal and recycling thereof.

Results and discussion Fining agents

Bentonite was predominantly used in wineries, with wineries in

this survey utilising approximately 1 .2 to 3.6 tons of bentonite to

produce 5.3 to 10.2 million L of wine (Table 1). In one small/

medium winery, egg white (25m1/1000L of wine) was used

instead of bentonite. In some wineries, combinations of silica,

bentonite and gelatine were used, whereas others used PVPP.

However, within the constraints of this survey, it was not possible

to determine the volumes of waste produced.

Filter materials

Bulk filtration with DE was most commonly used, with cellulose

powder added in some cases (Table 1). Drum filtration with per-

lite was used in some wineries for white wine production and,

depending on the volume of the filtered wine, approximately 3 to

4 tons of perlite were used per season. Some wineries used

cellulose sheets for filtration. Other methods identified were

gravitational, vacuum and cross-flow filtrations which produced

minimal or no waste, but were less popular. One small/medium

winery centrifuged wine which also produced minimal waste.

Storage and disposal of winery waste

Most wineries stored bentonite waste in closed plastic containers

technical yearbook 2012

TABLE 1. Fining and filter material use and solid waste handling practices of selected wineries in the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester districts of the Western Gape wine region.

Winery Fining Filtration Filter Waste collection, disposal and storage

District size material methods material

Fining waste Filter waste

Bulk, Gross-flow

Diatomaceous - Dumping site Large11) Bentonite Earth (DE), -Tartrate extraction - Municipality

Drum, Gellulose - Farmers for composting

Vacuum Stellenbosch

Bentonite: white Bulk, - Plastic tanks for

Small/medium (2) wine Gross-flow, DE, Gellulose collection for tartrate - Waste removal is outsourced Egg white: red

Sheet extraction wine

Bulk, - Waste is collected and stored on a Bentonite,

Gross-flow, Perlite, DE - Waste is collected for concrete slab Large PVPP

Drum, tartrate extraction - Gollection in tanks Protein agent

Sheet - No waste disposal on site Paarl ______________ _____________ _________ ____________ ___________________ ____________________________

Bulk, - Waste is collected for - Filter material is washed off, Small/medium Bentonite Sheet,

Perlite, tartrate extraction settled and dumped together with

Vacuum Gellulose, DE

- Municipal drainage stalks and skins

Bentonite; Perlite, Gelatine liquid

Bulk, PVPP: on white

Bentonite and PVPP - DE and Perlite for composting;

Large Protein agents &

Sheet. . wines,

waste is collected for - Waste removal is outsourced

PVPP Vacuum,

DE tartrate extraction

Worcester

Bentonite; Bulk, DE, Perlite; Bentonite waste

- Perlite waste is used in vineyards Small/medium

PVPP Drum, Organic - collection into tanks

- Rented dumping sites for DE Sheet powder for tartrate extraction

Wine production > 2 000 tons Wine production between 20 and 1 000 tons

to avoid bad odours and insects. Bentonite and PVPP wastes

were processed by a tartrate extracting plant. Most DE waste

was collected and consigned to landfills, or packed and stored

on site. The latter practice exerts more pressure on, and lowers

the storage capacity of such sites, as volumes of non-degradable

waste increase. Some wineries used inappropriate storage and

disposal methods such as disposal of solid waste into waste-

water pipelines. This may lead to blockage of pipes and

increased pollution of wastewater collection dams. Such

wastewater could pollute surrounding environments when

disposed of or used for irrigation purposes. A few wineries mixed

DE and perlite waste with skins, seeds, lime and manure to make

compost. Some wineries disposed of perlite waste onto

vegetable plots or even vineyards. However, this was done

without monitoring disposal volumes, or the waste composition

to quantify possible pollution hazards. Storing waste on bare soil

near wineries creates the risk of waste seepage into soil (Fig. 1).

Practices such as storage of waste on lined dump sites or

cemented slabs should be managed appropriately to prevent

run-off and seepage (Fig. 2). This practice is not properly done,

or is neglected by several wineries.

Conclusions Bentonite waste did not pose an environmental problem in the

cellar surveys, as it is not disposed of into soil. However, care

should be taken that storage and disposal do not pose environ-

mental threats. Diatomaceous earth and perlite waste consti-

f. .. .. - .

• q._ .,

-.- , -. :-

•

4. -. . ,:

2V .......

I . . 1.". - ..

FIGURE 1. Filter waste disposal onto a bare soil surface.

1161

v

FIGURE 2. Cement slabs should prevent seepage or runoff (note leaking on the sides of the slabs).

tuted the bulk of the waste material. Most wineries stored and

disposed of solid waste on land, vineyards and municipal land-

fills. Some solid waste was mixed with wastewater. Composting

as a form of recycling was rarely practiced.

Recommendations • Large quantities of fining and filter materials are currently used

for wine clarification purposes. This leads to the generation of

substantial amounts of waste. Methods producing less waste

need to be developed and utilised.

• Most of the solid waste generated is high in organic matter.

This can be composted if handled properly, i.e. not lead to

pollution of land or water.

• Composting of solid waste will not only allow wineries to use

in-house facilities, equipment and organic waste material, but

will also minimise the use and costs of chemical fertilisers. The

cellar

conversion of fining and filter wastes into compost products

is therefore highly recommended.

Acknowledgements Winetech for partial funding, wineries that took part in the survey,

and the Soil and Water Science staff at ARC lnfruitec-Nietvoorbij

for technical support.

This article originates from research funded by Winetech and the

final report of project WAI 19-12 (The environmental impacts and

benefits of winery solid waste: filter materials and fining agents)

can be downloaded from http://www.sawislibrary.co.zaldbtexti-

mages/finalreporti 44.pdf

References EPA (Environmental Protection Authority), 2001. Review of the opportu-nities of the re-use of winery industry solid wastes. Report: ABN 80078004798, Australia.

EPA (victoria), 2004. Hints for reducing solid waste. Winemaker's Envi-ronmental Management Kit, viewed at Report 863, Victoria.

Gibson, G., 2002. The changing nature of the clarification challenge. The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Wine Maker. Viewed at http://www.grapeandwine.com.au/apri102/020407.htm on 19/07/2009.

Hazell, P., 1998, Environmental code of practice for wineries and distil-leries in South Australia. Proceedings of International specialised con-ference on winery waste waters, Bordeaux, pp 53 - 60.

NEMA Act: Waste Bill 1998. Department of Environmental Affairs. Viewed at www.environment.gov.za on 12/07/2009.

Ribereau-Gayon, P., Glories, Y. Maujean, A. & Dubourdieu, B., 2003. Handbook of Enology, Volume 2. The chemistry of wine, stabilization and treatments, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, England.

Van Schoor, L., 2005. Guidelines for the management of wastewater and solid waste at existing wineries. Viewed at http://www.winetech.co.za on 19/07/2009.

Van Schoor, L. & Rossouw, J., 2004. Winery wastewater and solid waste management. WineLand, March 2004, pp 5.

Walsdorff, A., van Kraayenburg, M. & Barnardt, C. A., 2004. A multi-site approach towards integrating environmental management in the wine production industry. Water SA 30, 82 - 86.

Summary A survey has been carried out to identify the environmental risks associated with solid waste generated during wine fining and

filtration. Bentonite was the major fining agent used in wineries. Waste from this process was mostly collected for tartrate extrac-

tion. Diatomaceous earth and perlite were the most popular filter agents and resultant wastes were commonly spread on bare

soil, dumped in municipal landfills, or flushed down wastewater pipes. Some wineries spread waste on agricultural land and

vineyards. These practices aggravate environmental problems when unmonitored, or proper procedures are not followed. Inap-

propriate storage, disposal and recycling methods can result in contaminated soils and polluted water. Where possible, methods

such as cross-flow, vacuum and sheet filtration which produce negligible volumes of solid waste should be promoted. Clearly,

solid waste must be stored and disposed of safely, or recycled using methods such as composting.

For further information contact Nwabisa Masekwana at masekwanan@arc.agric.za

technical yearbook 2012