REUSE - The demonstrator for the Life ZEUS project enters its operational phase
The Water Plan, launched in March 2023, aims to massively increase the recovery of so-called ‘ non-conventional ’ water, with the objective of developing reuse projects throughout France by 2027 and multiplying by ten the volume of treated wastewater reused for other purposes by 2030. Within this framework, 51 industrial sites have committed to reducing their water use by at least 10% by 2030.
The ZEUS project - for ZEro liquid discharge water reUSe - initiated in 2019 by the INSA (Institut National des Sciences Appliquées) in Toulouse, OiEau (Office International de l'Eau) and Chemdoc Water Technologies, a specialist in membrane filtration technologies and water chemistry, is a step in this direction, with the aim of reducing total water consumption by almost 70% at the MONIN plant in Bourges, which produces syrups, fruit purées and concentrates for professionals.
The originality of the ZEUS process lies in the dual objective of reducing the plant's water consumption and recovering the effluent after treatment, via methanisation, from local players.
The innovation is based on a combination of techniques developed under real conditions. The Life ZEUS demonstrator, consisting of two membrane filtration prototypes integrated into the MONIN plant's process installations for both streams, will reduce total water consumption by 68%. Of the 45,000 m3 of process water consumed per year, 100% of the waste water will eventually be treated and reused, i.e. 40,500 m3 reinjected on site, and 5,000 m3 of waste recovered.
The Life ZEUS zero discharge process is intended to be replicated in the agri-food industries in France and Europe.
After the tests carried out throughout the project (lab, pilot, size 1/1 demonstrator), which will be completed in 2025, the ZEUS solution will be transferred to other MONIN Group plants, as well as to various agri-food industries, with a view to dissemination.