One option for the management of wastewater from tofu production: Freeze concentration in a falling-film system

Tofu whey is a liquid by-product from tofu production. Although it contains oligosaccharides, proteins and isoflavones, which could be isolated and used as ingredients for functional products, it is currently not utilized but disposed as a waste stream. However, when disposed directly to the environment tofu whey can cause bad odours and pollution of the surface and ground water, so that treatment is necessary. The wastewater treatment of industrial tofu production by current technologies is problematic, because of the high expenses and the lack of knowledge about their efficient operation. Hence the need to use alternative technologies such as freeze concentrations. Falling-film freeze concentration tests of tofu whey were carried out on pilot-scale equipment in three stages. The increase in soluble solids content of the tofu whey and the amount and purity of the ice formed were analysed. It was observed that the concentration could be increased by a factor of 8 (from an initial concentration of 1.9°Brix to a final concentration of 15.5°Brix). The electrical conductivity of the tofu whey at the last stage was 6.48 mS/cm and the pH was 5.22. The process efficiency was 82.9% at the first stage but dropped to lower values at later stages. Falling film freeze concentration is a promising alternative to recover the solutes retained in the effluent from the tofu industry, reducing its volume and improving environmental management.