Company ProfileCase Study: Cork Processing—Santa Maria de Lamas, Portugal
The Problem
The cork processing industry produces a chemically complex and highly polluting effluent which was being discharged, mainly into streams. The industry had to comply with Decree Law 236/98 by the end of 1999, reducing pollutant levels to meet European Union standards Under traditional chemical/physical treatment, a cost-effective and environmentally acceptable solution proved unobtainable.
The EversTech Solution
EversTech was approached to solve this waste problem in November 1997.
The problem was solved using our unique technology to combine physical/chemical processes with bio-augmentation. A pilot plant was constructed in December 1997 at a cork processing plant in Santa Maria de Lamas By March 1998, the problem was solved. The first full-scale plant was built later that year. It has been fully operational since then and produces a final effluent discharge well within the permissible limits. Operating costs have been approximately 80-120 escudos/m3 (0.4-0.6 Euros/m3), which is considerably lower than predicted. Since 1998, several more plants have been installed, and are working just as successfully.
The EversTech process had generated a considerable degree of interest in the industry because of the unrivaled efficiency of the process.
View showing chemical dosing system into concrete chemical treatment tanks and final effluent discharge to Sand Filter. (Photo forthcoming) |
View showing biological stage with concrete homogenization tank beneath and chemical pre-treatment to the right. (Photo forthcoming) |
Results Obtained (Information forthcoming)
Analysis of the Effluent (Information forthcoming)
Parameters obtained in the Treatment Plant
| Parameter | Raw Effluent mg/l |
Final Effluent mg/l |
Consent Limit Decree Law 236/98 |
| Aluminium | 2.0 | <0.01 | 10.0 |
| Total Nitrogen | 85.0 | 14.0 | 50.0 |
| BOD5 | 1200 | <5.0 | 40.0 |
| COD | 12000 | 40.0 | 150.0 |
| Colour | Dark Brown | NIL | Not Visible |
| Free Chlorine | 25.0 | NIL | 0.5 |
| Total Iron | 12.0 | NIL | 2.0 |
| pH Value | 5–8 | 7.6 | 6–9 |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | – | <5.0 | – |
| Suspended Solids | 2000 | 10.0 | 60.0 |
| Sulphates | 5.0 | NIL | 1.0 |
| Tannins | 2500 | 0.4 | – |
| Phenols | >1000 | NIL | 0.5 |