Cost-effective granular sludge-based process for distillery wastewater treatment and reuse

The distillery industry represents one of the most water-intensive and polluting industries in the world. There is a need for cost-effective and energy-efficient treatment processes for distillery wastewater (DWW). The purpose of this study was to optimize and demonstrate a cost-effective and resource recovery-based distillery wastewater treatment process at the pilot-scale. Integrated two-stage granular sludge-based bioreactors were used to achieve energy recovery, nutrient reduction, and water reuse. Control strategies were developed to optimize energy, nutrient, and water recovery. The project outcomes may have significant implications for the distillery industry and other industries facing similar wastewater treatment challenges.