Wastewater solution for the meat processing industry

Managing the high loads of fats, oils and grease (FOG) and suspended solids (SS) typically found in the food processing industry can be challenging. The high FOG and SS loads in meat processing wastewater, in particular, can have detrimental effects on local municipal treatment plants and the connecting pipelines.

Aerofloat’s patented dissolved air flotation (AeroDAF) technology has combined proven traditional dissolved air flotation principles with innovative design elements. The technology has been implemented successfully at many meat processing businesses around Australia, removing the high levels of FOG and SS in the processing effluent. Aerofloat is also able to offer solutions for food processing plants with wastewater high in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).

A compact solution

The AeroDAF provided a compact solution to Italia Smallgoods in Sydney.

Located in one of Sydney’s more densely populated inner suburbs, Italia Smallgoods needed a wastewater treatment solution that would fit within the tight space available and ensure it met Sydney Water’s strict regulations.

The company contracted Aerofloat to provide a wastewater treatment solution given the adaptability of its proprietary technology: one of the key features of Aerofloat’s patented AeroDAF 100 unit is its compact nature.

Aerofloat completed the design for Italia Smallgood’s wastewater treatment solution in-house at its Sydney factory. 3D models of the design gave Italia Smallgoods confidence that the system would fit the limited space, before installation commenced.

Sydney Water required Italia Smallgoods to treat its wastewater at the point source before discharging to sewer. As a producer of fine Italian meat products, Italia Smallgood’s wastewater was high in suspended solids (SS) and fats, oils and greases (FOG).

The compact AeroDAF 100 provided Italia Smallgoods with an effective solution that enabled it to meet Sydney Water’s trade waste requirements, without taking up valuable space.

The AeroDAF ensured Italia Smallgoods met Sydney Water’s regulations.

The AeroDAF’s unique mechanics ensured Sydney Water’s requirements were met.

“The wastewater treatment plant installed included an AeroDAF 100 as well as hydraulic balancing, pH correction, flow monitoring, a polymer make-up system, two pump stations and one waste tank. It fit all the criteria for treating Italia Smallgood’s effluent and ensured that it met Sydney Water’s strict requirements,” said Michael Anderson, Operations Manager at Aerofloat.

The AeroDAF uses a unique tank with a 60-degrees conical bottom and conical top and a patented hydraulic float removal system to funnel waste float material from the top of the tank. The waste material is removed from the enclosed tank by using the hydraulics on the incoming feed stream. Unlike a traditional DAF wastewater treatment system, mechanical scrapers are not required, resulting in a compact, mechanically simple and affordable solution.

The management team at Italia Smallgoods was highly satisfied with the system.

“Aerofloat’s AeroDAF fit our tight space and was installed on time and on budget,” said the Manager of Italia Smallgoods.

The AeroDAF also offered a reduced odour solution to Italia Smallgoods, ensuring a healthier and pleasant working environment for its staff.

“Health and safety are also very important to our food preparation, so a system that contained odours whilst ensuring we met Sydney Water’s strict wastewater requirements was an absolute win-win for us,” said Italia Smallgoods.

Aerofloat is an Australian-owned, family-run business that designs, manufactures and installs wastewater treatment systems across Australia. While the AeroDAF system forms the cornerstone of the DAF product range, Aerofloat has several dissolved air flotation products and other non-proprietary solutions.

Having a dependable and adaptable wastewater treatment system has never been more critical as Australia deals with the COVID-19 crisis. Aerofloat remains operational during the crisis, supporting Australian businesses to meet consumer demand.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/exclusive-design