Distillery Industry

Ecovation offers distillers and brewers sustainable wastewater treatment solutions to effectively manage the co-products from the fermentation, distilling and brewing process, while reducing operating costs and the processing facility’s carbon footprint. Our solution provides companies with greater flexibility and reduced reliance on markets and activities subject to increasing regulation and volatile prices, including:
- land spreading
- animal feed
- energy

A patent pending “total solution” for managing distillery wastewaters and co-products

Ecovation’s total solution was developed in partnership with several whisky distilleries. Our patent-pending process uses proven technologies in a unique system design that provides a sustainable alternative to traditional “dry house” or “dark grains plant” approach of managing distillery co-products - spent wash, stillage, pot ales, spent lees – as well as treats process CIP wastewaters.

Our process employs exclusive solids separation technology followed by proprietary high-rate anaerobic biological treatment. Biological treatment converts the soluble organics in the wastewater to biogas (methane and CO2), a renewable fuel source that can then be used in existing site boilers or a combined heat and power (CHP) plant to offset the use of fossil fuels for steam production and electricity generation. Very low retention times are achieved, resulting in a small footprint plant - particularly important for space-constrained sites.

Ecovation’s process scheme may also eliminate the need for the evaporation process typically used to concentrate the solubles (residual sugars, fats, and proteins) left in the liquid portion of the co-products, while still recovering the spent grains that have been traditionally used as animal feed (DWG or DDG). In large distillery or brewery applications, these spent grain solids may also be considered as a potential biomass fuel source to further offset the energy needs of the distillery or to provide excess energy back to the electrical grid as a valuable renewable energy source. This process was recently highlighted in an October 2006 article in The Brewer & Distiller titled “An Alternate Approach to Distillery Waste Management.”

Proven in the spirits market

Ecovation is currently constructing its first full-scale plant using this process for a major U.S. bourbon whisky distiller. In addition to this full-scale project, Ecovation has worked with several of the major grain distilleries in Scotland to evaluate our unique solids separation processes and high-rate anaerobic processes for treating spent wash. We are also conducting anaerobic treatability studies for major rum and tequila distilleries.

Can you benefit from an Ecovation system?

Evaluating your distillery or brewery as a candidate for such a solution starts with understanding the composition of the wastewater and co-products from your production processes. Begin by downloading Ecovation’s Wastewater Design Criteria spreadsheet for use in collecting the data needed to determine the most cost effective, sustainable treatment alternatives for your facility. In addition to analytical data, understanding the current costs for managing your wastewater is important in the decision-making process. For additional information, or to request a no cost review of your data to determine if you can benefit from an Ecovation solution, please contact us.

Understanding water use and the impact it has on your business can be an important part of your business strategy. The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) has developed a water sustainability tool that is available on its website.

As water is the main ingredient in any drinks business, we understand how critical the issue of water scarcity, quality, and cost are becoming. We are looking more and more at the possibility of recycling these wastewaters. Ecovation can evaluate water reuse opportunities, including the potential of cleaning distillery wastewaters as potential sources for boiler water or cooling tower make-up, chemical make-up water for plant cleaning, or irrigation uses.

There will hopefully come a day in the not to distant future when a zero discharge distillery or brewery, self sufficient in energy, will be possible and perhaps necessary.

Funding Sources

Public financial assistance may be available and Ecovation, in partnership with our clients, has been successful in obtaining funding for several of our projects. In the U.S., state-specific programs typically drive this funding, with some monies available through federal sources. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIREusa) is a great source of information. In the UK, support for renewable energy is provided through a number of schemes, notably Renewables Obligation Certificates, as described by The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR).