In a context where sustainability and the circular economy are becoming increasingly important elements among the business fabric and consumers, the company Aceitunas Cazorla, based in Alicante and supplier to major supermarket chains such as Carrefour or Lidl, a project aiming to extract methane and hydrogen gas from brine. The Valencia Innovation Agency (AVI), together with the Ainia Technology Center and the Ceramics Technology Institute (ITC), is doing this in an initiative that also aims to provide a solution to the treatment of waste that poses environmental risks.
Traditionally, brines are managed in open ponds by accelerated evaporation processes, which can be natural or require a significant energy cost. Also in the first case, pools should not only cover a large area, but also be completely waterproof and subject to frequent checks. avoid seepage that puts aquifers at risk.
Considering these disadvantages, the project more sustainable treatment of these wastesTo achieve a clean discharge with low salinity and convert organic matter and salt into recoverable products and energy carriers such as biogas, biomethane or biohydrogen. This strategic project, called Green Brine, is supported by Aceitunas Cazorla company and two technology institutes and is supported by AVI, which donated 490,000 euros in the last call for help.
Alicante company has been producing products such as olives filled with anchovy paste, lemon and natural pepper, seedless and all kinds of sauces in the sector for more than 60 years. Moreover It produces the white brands of Carrefour and Lid.I. According to the latest published data, it has a turnover of close to 150 million euros. Gumer Marín, who is responsible for the project at the company, explains that it is “the comprehensive recovery of different types of brine produced in conservation and cladding activities through integrated systems that respect the environment, at low cost”. time produces products of industrial interest’.
To achieve this goal, Green Brine partners are committed to combining different technical procedures that improve current results. That is why Jorge García, director of product technologies and processes at Ainia, emphasizes: brine streams will go through a filtering process It will allow the recovery of cellulosic materials and polyphenols that may be of interest to other industrial sectors. Similarly, fuel cells containing bacteria will be applied to convert the remaining organic matter into more valuable products for energy purposes.
“For example, polyphenols, can be used as an additive by the cosmetic industry. On the other hand, other emerging elements such as soda or acid will be designed for reuse by pickle companies as well as energy carriers for both machines and boilers. The goal is to ultimately impact sustainability and the circular economy,” García emphasizes.
To achieve these goals, Institute of Ceramic Technology, clay based membranes for salt water filtrationMuch cheaper than those on the market today and more durable than those designed with polymeric materials.
On behalf of Aceitunas Cazorla, the consortium running this project integrates industrial experience in the olive and pickle sub-sector, ITC’s knowledge of materials and ceramic processing systems, and Ainia’s extensive skills. in the development of electrochemical systems for the integrated water cycle and the treatment of residual liquids. Although the initiative initially focused on this sub-sector, predictable to any other activity companies that generate such waste, such as water cycle companies or companies that wash and recycle plastics.