Client Case Study: Gilbert Orchards
Location: Yakima, WA
Application: Apple processing in flume water
Unit Type: Neo 150 with oxygen & ozone
Trial Dates: April to July 2023
Key Results
- 60% better suspended solids removal
- 30% water clarity improvement
- 50% reduced water usage
Yakima, Washington, renowned for its rich agricultural heritage—particularly in apple cultivation—has long been at the forefront of adopting innovative technologies to improve crop quality and sustainability. Moleaer successfully integrated nanobubble technology into apple flume washing processes at Gilbert Orchards, resulting in improved water usage efficiency, product quality, and overall sustainability.
Traditional apple-washing uses large amounts of water to remove dirt, debris, and pesticides before packing. This process is water-intensive and can lead to product shrinkage from bruising and abrasion. Suspended solids in the water affect clarity, which is crucial for product quality and food safety assessment.
Nanobubbles—tiny oxygen or ozone bubbles (~100nm in diameter)—offer a groundbreaking solution. Their long-lasting stability and cleaning capabilities make them ideal for improving apple flume washing.
Gilbert Orchards collaborated with Moleaer to inject ozone and oxygen nanobubbles into their flume water supply, creating robust processing water.
Benefits of Nanobubble-Enriched Flume Water
Removal of Suspended Solids (Turbidity)
Nanobubbles removed suspended solids from flume water with unparalleled efficiency. The pilot trial achieved 60% better removal compared to traditional methods, significantly reducing turbidity and improving clarity.
Improved Water Clarity
Nanobubbles enhanced water clarity by 30%, extending the life of processing water and visibly improving water quality.
Water Usage Reduction
Nanobubbles reduced water usage by 50%, conserving resources, saving costs, and enhancing sustainability.
“Moleaer is playing an integral part in helping us to meet compliance standards by reducing water usage, and improving biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) discharge levels,”
— Craig Anderson, Project Manager, Gilbert Orchards
The successful integration of nanobubble technology into apple flume-washing exemplifies how innovation can revolutionize agricultural practices. Nanobubbles addressed challenges related to suspended solids and water clarity, while significantly contributing to water conservation and sustainability in apple production.
Clarity, measured by turbidity, was 30% cleaner with Moleaer oxygen and ozone nanobubbles compared to before.
Flume water before and after enriching with oxygen and ozone nanobubbles shows clarity improvements.
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Rev. 08302023