Ceramic membranes for winery wastewater management: feasibility study and water reuse potential

Abstract

The wine industry faces growing water management challenges due to climate change-induced droughts worldwide. Winery wastewater, with varying organic loads across vintage periods, acidity, phenolic compounds, and trace pesticides, present significant environmental and operational challenges for producers. This study explores winery wastewater reclamation as a sustainable strategy, with ceramic membrane filtration offering a robust and scalable solution. Ultrafiltration (10 nm) was identified at bench-scale as the most effective, reducing chemical oxygen demand by 76 % (from an initial 20–56 mg L⁻¹) and eliminating E. coli, meeting Portuguese reuse standards. For small to medium wineries, a compact unit (2.3 m² of membrane filtration area) can supply 500 L h⁻¹ of treated water, meeting daily needs for cleaning operations or irrigating up to 3.4 ha of vineyard or green spaces. By reducing freshwater demand, ceramic membranes contribute to enhanced climate resilience and sustainable water management in the wine sector.