Alfa Laval has showcased Optiwia which is changing the game in the brewing and beverage sectors by optimizing the efficient use of process water. This innovative solution was developed in response to our customers’ drive to lower the environmental impact of their operations. It can be easily retrofitted to separators, resulting in water savings of up to 70 percent.
Optiwia recirculates cooling water from the separator system into a collecting tank ready for reuse. The solution is robust, adjusting for changes in water pressure to ensure the centrifuge operates smoothly and maintains consistent uptime. What makes this unique is that no cooling agent or energy-consuming air-liquid chiller is needed.
Significant costs in the water-intensive brewing and beverage industries fall into two categories: The first is related to the withdrawal of the necessary volume of water for the process, and the second concerns sending wastewater down the drain. Optiwia significantly reduces the amount of water in both cases. Water savings of around 70 percent are already seen among customers using the product, which, for one beverage producer, equates to a savings of 458,000 liters annually.
“Beer and beverage producers have long been frontrunners in efforts to preserve and reuse water. With the rise in the effects of climate change and the growing pressure on water resources, the need for optimizing water management is simply on every customer’s mind in this sector. The Optiwia offers a very simple and smart way of reusing non-contaminated water while ensuring robust operation of the centrifuge.”
Filippa Kinderdal, Product and Portfolio Manager, High Speed Separators, Alfa Laval
The speed and simplicity with which the technology can be retrofitted is a benefit in existing installations, where time and space are at a premium. The installation of the Optiwia upgrade can easily be done at the customer site by operating personnel or by Alfa Laval service engineers. The Optiwia is linked to existing water connections and serves as a plug-and-play unit.
With the global focus sharpening on the importance of efficient water use in industrial operations, customers are looking for new technology that will give them a cutting edge and promote sustainability. Whether it is a craft brewer in France or a coffee producer in Spain, customers are proving to be very pleased with the benefits of installing Alfa Laval’s Optiwia.