Practical justification of the method for regenerating alkaline cleaning solution for brewing production using flocculants

The article is devoted to the development of a resource-saving method for the regeneration of alkaline cleaning solutions (ACS) for mini-breweries. The main focus is on flocculation treatment as a cost-effective alternative to disposal. The aim of the study was to select reagents and parameters for integrating the technology into existing CIP systems. The efficiency of cationic flocculants (Magnafloc 380, Greenlife K45) in a highly alkaline environment was experimentally studied. Optimum conditions were established: dosage of 3.6–4 g/kg of contaminants, energy consumption of 0.04–0.1 W/kg, processing time of 240–450 s. Greenlife K45 showed the best result. The method ensures the removal of 90–95% of suspended solids within 30 minutes of sedimentation and a 95% reduction in turbidity, allowing to extend the ACS use cycle by 4–6 times. Based on the obtained data, the authors proposed a practical hardware and technological scheme for regeneration. It involves retrofitting a standard mobile CIP station with a mixer for adding flocculant, a settling tank, and a self-cleaning filter for final sediment separation. The regenerated solution is recycled, with the ability to adjust its concentration. The system provides visual control, requires no complex equipment, and can be implemented in existing production facilities. Thus, the study demonstrates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of implementing flocculation-based AMR regeneration in minibreweries. Key benefits include direct savings on water and reagents, a reduction in the volume of highly alkaline wastewater, and a reduced load on local treatment facilities.