An extensive research project was set up by PCFRUIT of Belgium and our company in 2011. The purpose of this project was to study the efficiency of the small filter unit PERKEO 5 in water treatment of fruit grading units. Scientists of PCFRUIT and technicians of ECORECYCLING have developed a program involving 5 fruit growers that have their own fruit grading units emptying fruit in water channels. The emptyers are middle sized STAS units containing 5-8 m³ of water.

The filter unit is mobile so that it was possible to shift it without difficulties from one warehousekeeper to the other. Warehouskeepers were instructed and informed about the technical peculiarities of the filter.

Water and fruit samples were taken by the staff of PCFRUIT and analyzed. The standing time on each site was app. 1 month. Afterward the filter was demounted and placed in the next warehouse.

Sampling frequency: every 2 days

Sampling points:

• water samples in the channels
• water samples after the filtering unit
• fruit samples after grading

Samples were collected in sterile bottles and sent to the analysis laboratory.