The long-duration test with the TORWASH® pilot plant was performed for 18 days, continuously operating for more than 300 hours. During the long-duration pilot test 8500 kg of TORWASH® effluent was produced with a very consistent and high dry matter content in the range of 57-60%.
Over 150 kg of TORWASH® press cake has been produced. This means that there is sufficient material for both the pelletizing of 100 TORWASH® pellets and for analysis by the consortium members.
Furthermore, throughout the entire long duration test the presence of oil in the TORWASH® effluent and on top of the membrane of Limburg Filter´s filter press was observed. Both the quantity and quality of this oil is being analysed. The presence of oil should influence the properties of the press cake and press water effluent which are also both currently under analysis.
The TORWASH® pilot plant was then dismounted and transported back to TNO´s biomass research facilities in Petten, Netherlands for maintenance prior to the next long-duration testing with orange peels at Delafruit in Spain for WP4.
The fantastic team of operators, members of TNO, LIMBURG FILTER, CA.RE. FOR. Engineering and APPO prepared for months for these activities and worked together to ensure a successful installation and operation.
Special thanks to WP3 leader Marco Ugolini from CA.RE FOR Engineering and to Gianvito Chimienti, the olive oil mill owner, for hosting and giving active support to the F-CUBED project.
(Photos and text courtesy of Marco Ugolini from CA.RE FOR Engineering).