Nitrogen Sparging for Phenol Enrichment in Olive Mill Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enriching phenol and polyphenol compounds in olive mill waste waters are complex and costly, failing to achieve high concentrations efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the delivery of nitrogen gas or liquid to olive mill waste waters, maintaining contact for at least 7 days, which increases the concentration of total phenols and polyphenols, particularly hydroxytyrosol, through controlled oxygen levels and optional addition of lactic bacteria and residual solid materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional enrichment methods are used to increase phenol and polyphenol concentration in olive mill waste waters, then phenol concentration is improved, but process complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nitrogen gas sparging to create an inert atmosphere in the olive mill waste water treatment system. This inert environment prevents oxidation of phenolic compounds while promoting their concentration through controlled biological activity, thereby achieving high phenol enrichment without requiring complex processing equipment or multiple treatment stages
2Quantity of substance
If conventional enrichment methods are used to increase phenol and polyphenol concentration in olive mill waste waters, then phenol concentration is improved, but treatment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes indigenous lactic acid bacteria already present in the olive mill waste water to naturally produce the desired phenolic enrichment. By providing the right conditions (inert nitrogen atmosphere, proper pH, temperature control), the system allows these microorganisms to perform the enrichment function autonomously, eliminating the need for expensive external enzymes, chemicals, or complex processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes key parameters including maintaining pH between 4-6, controlling temperature between 20-40°C, and adjusting nitrogen flow rate to achieve optimal phenol concentration. These parameter optimizations enable cost-effective treatment by operating within ranges that maximize natural biological activity without requiring additional energy input or expensive additives
3Quantity of substance
If oxygen levels are increased to promote biological activity, then phenol concentration improves, but oxidation of phenolic compounds occurs reducing their stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nitrogen gas to displace oxygen in the treatment system, creating an inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation of phenolic compounds. This allows biological activity to proceed at controlled levels while maintaining the stability and integrity of the phenolic substances, achieving both concentration enhancement and compositional stability simultaneously
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process achieves higher concentrations of phenols and polyphenols compared to existing methods, is cost-effective, and enhances the environmental value of olive mill waste waters by converting them into a reusable product.
Implementation Method 1
The pH oscillations are attributable to the variety, the ripening period and the storage duration of olives... the organic fraction contains sugars, tannins, phenolic compounds, polyalcohols, pectins, lipids and nitrogenous substances... oleuropein, one of the main polyphenols contained in OMWW, is hydrolyzed into elenolic acid and hydroxytyrosol
Implementation Method 2
The pH value, typically between 4-6, is determined by the content of organic acids such as malic, citric, tartaric, succinic and oxalic acid... in the presence of organic acids (mainly malic and citric), olive mill waste waters undergo a pH reduction up to values around 4-4.5, at which the hydrolysis of polyphenols of high molecular weight to those of low molecular weight is promoted
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for enriching the concentration in at least one phenol and/or polyphenol in olive mill waste waters, comprising the steps of: (a) delivering at least one nitrogen flux, in the form of liquid or gas, in said oil olive mill waste waters; b) keeping said oil olive mill waste waters and said delivered nitrogen in contact for at least 7 days; and (c) obtaining olive mill waste waters enriched in the concentration in at least one phenol and/or polyphenol. Preferably, said at least one phenol is hydroxytyrosol.