Industrial effluents
Olive oil mills
As a result of their high content of polyphenol, fatty acids and organic substances, effluents from olive oil production are posing an increasing environmental problem. It is true that modern production processes now make a major contribution towards reducing the volume of effluent. Nevertheless, it is still the case that approximately 200 liters of water must be used for each ton of processed olives; this effluent contains oil and extremely fine particles. In order to ensure the environmentally-sound treatment of these effluents, GEA supports industry with innovative technologies which not only considerably reduce the volume of effluent but also enable all residues to be virtually fully recycled, thus creating economic as well as ecological added value.
Efficient process water treatment with GEA decanters
Concentrated to recycled sludge by means of settling or flotation processes, our powerful decanters treat the process water which is obtained in such a way that they reliably separate residual oil as well as micro-particles from the effluent so that high-quality olive oil can be produced and so that oil mills can considerably boost their yield. The process not only enables the volume of effluent to be reduced by 15 percent. It also reduces all parameters which are relevant for evaluating effluents; this means that effluent charges are also reduced.
Energy-efficient concentration using GEA concentration installations
As an environmentally-sound solution for the treatment of effluent from olive oil production, we also supply highly efficient concentration technology, with which the effluent can reliably be concentrated to 50% dry matter. The concentrate can subsequently be used as a fertilizer or, after the dry matter has been further increased, it can be incinerated and used for generating electrical energy. The evaporated water is condensed and can be reused as process water. GEA concentration installations can be entirely operated by way of using the waste heat of peripheral equipment and thus feature extremely energy-efficient operation.
- Environmentally-sound and added-value methods for treating effluents from olive oil production
- Processing with GEA decanters ensures a lower effluent load, reduced disposal costs and additional yield gains
- Energy-efficient concentration installations thanks to the use of waste heat for reliable concentration
Products & Technologies
Showing 2 of 2
Decanter Centrifuge
The decanter’s hour has come as soon as the solids content in the suspension to be processed is particularly high. These machines provide the benefits of high clarifying efficiency and maximum dewatering as well as the separation of liquids with the simultaneous removal of solids. The main requirements in this respect include a high bowl speed, a...
Jet pumps
Jet pumps, also referred to as ejectors, are devices for the conveyance, compression or mixing of gases, vapors, liquids or solids and for the production of vacuum in which a gaseous or liquid medium serves as the motive force.
Downloads
GEA Insights
From fossil fuels to future-ready: The rise of heat pumps
While the initial interest in heat pumps was to save on operating costs, reducing emissions is now the main driver for the technology. Learn more about how GEA is spearheading efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions through hidden champion heat pump technology for industrial and district heating sectors.
A new recipe for indulgence
What if your favorite chocolate didn’t require cocoa beans and your coffee was locally produced? As climate disruption, price hikes and ethical concerns hit two of our most beloved indulgences, scientists are reimagining how we produce them – using microbes, not monocultures. The goal: preserve the flavor and properties of coffee and chocolate while minimizing carbon emissions and improving food resilience.
Fueling the circular economy in shipping
Ports now compete not just on logistics, but on sustainability. At Greece’s Piraeus port, an advanced processing and recovery facility recycles ship waste oil into fuel. Equipped with GEA’s high-performance centrifuges, it sets a new benchmark for state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible port operations.
