The Influence of Transmembrane Pressure on Flux and Ethanol Rejection during Nanofiltration of Mavrud Red Wines from Harmanli and Asenovgrad

Authors

  • Alex Georgiev Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Viktor Prodanov Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Maria Lyudmilova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Maria Dencheva-Zarkova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Julia Genova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7546/CRABS.2026.07.02

Keywords:

nanofiltration, flux, transmembrane pressures, ethanol rejection, red wine

Abstract

Nanofiltration technology is an effective technique for reducing alcohol content in wine. This study examines nanofiltration experiments conducted with Bulgarian Mavrud red dry wines sourced from the Harmanli and Asenovgrad regions, utilizing a MaxiMem – PS Prozesstechnik GmbH membrane filtration system equipped with an Alfa Laval NF99HF polyester membrane (MWCO 300 Da). The experiments were carried out in concentration mode of the filtration system, utilizing a Lauda Alpha RA8 thermostat cooling bath for temperature management. The operational parameters consisted of transmembrane pressures of 10--50 bars, along with a cross-flow rate of 1.2 l/min. The objective of the study is to explore how pressure affects alcohol concentration and flux behaviour in both wines and to compare the results. The experimental results confirm that Alfa Laval NF99HF membrane delivers consistently high permeate flux and effective ethanol retention throughout the nanofiltration process.

Author Biographies

Alex Georgiev, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Georgi Nadjakov Institute of Solid State Physics,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
72 Tsarigradsko Shosse Blvd,
1784 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: alex.georgiev@issp.bas.bg

Viktor Prodanov, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Georgi Nadjakov Institute of Solid State Physics,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
72 Tsarigradsko Shosse Blvd,
1784 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: viktor.prodanov@issp.bas.bg

Maria Lyudmilova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Georgi Nadjakov Institute of Solid State Physics,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
72 Tsarigradsko Shosse Blvd,
1784 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: maria.todorova@issp.bas.bg

Maria Dencheva-Zarkova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Georgi Nadjakov Institute of Solid State Physics,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
72 Tsarigradsko Shosse Blvd,
1784 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: biolayer@issp.bas.bg

Julia Genova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Georgi Nadjakov Institute of Solid State Physics,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
72 Tsarigradsko Shosse Blvd,
1784 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: julia.genova@issp.bg

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Published

27-07-2026

How to Cite

[1]
A. Georgiev, V. Prodanov, M. Lyudmilova, M. Dencheva-Zarkova, and J. Genova, “The Influence of Transmembrane Pressure on Flux and Ethanol Rejection during Nanofiltration of Mavrud Red Wines from Harmanli and Asenovgrad”, C. R. Acad. Bulg. Sci., vol. 79, no. 7, pp. 862–870, Jul. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 79 No. 7 (2026)

Section

Chemistry

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