13/May

Problems in oil processing industry

Problems in oil processing industry

One of the developments of KEIKEN R&D consists in the improvement of the technologies used of the current oil mills with a clear objective: to OBTAIN ADDITIONAL WATER FOR IRRIGATION and TO REDUCE THE ENERGY COSTS, OBTAINING AN INCREASE OF THE PRODUCTION OF OLIVE and A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN ELECTRICAL COSTS.

This development gives solution to the problem of the oil mills, which is summarized in 4 main points:

  • Restriction of the use of water per m2 of plot.
  • Very polluting wastewater generation
  • Lack of energy utilization of by-products
  • Lack of comprehensive and efficient management of water and energy

1. Restriction of the use of water per m2 of plot.

There is a limit to the use of water in a mill depending on the M2 of plot, therefore, you can not dispose of all the water that is needed or required at any time, generating an important climatic dependence. It would be necessary to implement a system that allows independent climate and uninterrupted access to water to increase production when the expected precipitations are not produced.
 

2. Very polluting wastewater generation

In the process of production of olive oil in the mill, a series of wastewater is generated with the following characteristics:

  • Highly polluting of high organic load
  • They are characterized by having an unpleasant smell
  • With content in fats and miscellaneous waste

Due to this composition, it is usually used a treatment with significant energy consumption in which waste water is not used, no profit is obtained and the by-products are not revalued. This treatment is fundamental, because if these compounds reach the municipal WWTPs can generate problems due to their antibacterial behavior and varied composition
 
A solution is needed that allows to take advantage of the water in the most efficient and competitive way possible and that of the possibility of its reuse like irrigation water, at the same time that the generated compounds are revalued.

3. Lack of energy utilization of by-products

If they are not given an additional valorization of these by-products, such as the branches and trunks of the pruning or the bones of the olives, they become a problem since they would have to hire an additional external service for their withdrawal.
 Being a very remarkable point to improve, since the residues generated in the pruning and the same with the olive bones that can be reused as biofuel with a remarkable calorific value, between 2,500 – 3,860 kcal/kg (Source: IDAE).

4. Lack of comprehensive and efficient management of water and energy

This is a point that must be deepened since this sector has not been able to implement a comprehensive and efficient solution of water and energy. At KEIKEN we have our experience and versatility to be able to offer the best service and ensure a proper implementation of the most innovative and efficient technologies in the market to optimize the operation and competitiveness of your business. We join the company expert in biomass harvesting plants, BIOLIZA, with presence in Andalucía and several cases of success in energy utilization.
 
In the next chapter of the blog will discuss the solutions proposed to this problem and will be analyzed in order to achieve a comprehensive and efficient management of water and energy.

Para solicitar nuestros servicios de Tratamiento de Agua o más información, pueden contactar por email en info@keiken.es.