Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6454-570X
Date Available
8-12-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (MSBiosyAgE)
College
Agriculture; Engineering
Department/School/Program
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Faculty
Dr. Tyler Barzee
Faculty
Dr. Michael Sama
Abstract
This thesis addresses the feasibility of reusing reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) in the bourbon whiskey fermentation processes. Initial work compared laboratory-scale mashing and fermentation methods, demonstrating that simultaneous saccharification and fermentation reliably reflects industrial-scale processes, with lower complexity and process time. Building upon this, laboratory and distillery-scale experiments demonstrated that reusing ROC in the mashing and fermentation steps does not negatively impact ethanol yields. ROC produced by systems with a water softener was found to significantly increase mash rheology, suggesting a need for potential process adjustments. Softened ROC also altered the production of flavor-influencing volatile congeners. Under worst case conditions, severe scale formation on equipment, due to high Ca and Mg levels, was identified as a challenge for using unsoftened ROC. While implementation of ROC reuse requires consideration of ROC impacts on mash properties, equipment scaling, and flavor profiles, this research demonstrates that ROC reuse is a feasible water conservation strategy. ROC reuse was found to offer a significant reduction in freshwater consumption, estimated at 18-34% for a representative distillery. This work provides a foundation for the whiskey industry to adopt ROC reuse, improve water sustainability, enhance resilience to water scarcity, and realize potential economic benefits.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.301
Funding Information
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. 2239063 in 2023.
Recommended Citation
Sarhan, Ryan C., "IMPACTS OF UTILIZING REVERSE OSMOSIS CONCENTRATE ON MASHING, FERMENTATION, AND WATER USE IN BOURBON WHISKEY PRODUCTION" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. 120.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/bae_etds/120
