Keeping it cheap and simple. This is the goal of a group of CPUT researchers who are developing cost-effective methods to treat winery wastewater.

Wineries in the Western Cape produce huge amounts of wastewater; however, small-scale farmers cannot afford to implement sophisticated and costly wastewater treatment systems.

The researchers hope to provide small-scale wineries with a simple method to deal effectively with winery wastewater in order to comply with legislative and ecological requirements, says scientist Pamela Welz, from the Biocatalysis and Technical Biology (BTB) research group.

Together with researchers at the University of the Western Cape, the BTB group is experimenting with a winery wastewater treatment system that relies on microorganisms to degrade organic molecules, a process known as biodegradation.

To treat the wastewater, researchers have set up several biological sand filter systems that contain locally-available sand types and are fed with synthetic winery wastewater on a weekly basis. A range of tests are conducted weekly to monitor the biodegradation process. To date, the results are promising.

Welz says the system is simple to operate and requires little maintenance.

“Currently, commercially available polyethylene tanks (1 m x 2 m) containing locally-available sand comprise the experimental systems at CPUT. Installation of similar full-scale systems is a feasible and extremely cost-efficient option,” she says

The team, which comprises of scientists and engineers, is now looking at finalizing the design of a pilot-scale system that will be installed and tested at a local wine farm in 2014.

*The project is funded by the Water Research Commission of South Africa and CPUT.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

The Biocatalysis and Technical Biology (BTB) research group has set up a state-of-the-art regional research facility.

Thanks to a substantial donation from the National Research Foundation and CPUT, the BTB research group has purchased and set up a Liquid Chromatograph - Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) machine at their Bellville-based unit.

This specialised machine is used to identify and analyse small organic compounds that are found in a number of substances, ranging from water to packaging material.

The machine is highly sought after in industry, with only a few universities in South Africa housing such facilities.

Head of the BTB research group, Dr Marilize Le Roes-Hill, says the machine along with other research equipment, has been set up as a regional research facility, providing researchers from across South Africa access to this specialised equipment.

“A decade ago this machine was very scarce. Researchers had to send their samples overseas. This was an expensive exercise and took a very long time. As a result, research in many areas was limited,” she says.

Researchers have the option to come to the facility and learn how to operate the machine and conduct their own tests. Alternatively, they can send their samples to the facility, where CPUT researchers will conduct the necessary tests and analyses.

Dr Le Roes-Hill says this facility will open up doors for new research collaborations and will also allow CPUT researchers to broaden their scope of research.

The unit has already met with representatives from several universities, who are looking at possible collaborations with CPUT researchers.

For further information on this facility and charge rates contact Dr Tukayi Kudanga at 021 953 8497.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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