Estimation of "Wash-and-Rinse" Wastewater Quantity from Food Processing Industry

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What are the best methods for estimating the quantity and quality of "wash-and-rinse wastewater" generated from the Food Processing Industry? Is there a method to estimate the quantity of this water generated from Small, Medium and large scale agro/food industries separately? 

Can it be reused in food/agro-processing industries or should it be disposed?

We are currently doing research on "wash-and-rinse wastewater collection, treatment and reuse in food and agro-processing micro/small, medium and large scale industries.
If you know some case studies please share them. 

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14 Answers

  2. I have several case studies available for this specific application.  From treating activated sludge from soybean processing to lye water treatment from a corn and bean processing facility.  Feel free to contact me to discuss in further detail - gabe@imexconsultinggroup.com.  I will be happy to look at your application and advise from that point.

  3. If you know the amount of water required (used) this should approximately equal what comes out. Different processes require different amounts of water. I suggest on a site by site basis as there can be considerable variation.

    I don't know of any studies.

  4. Hello Dear Engr.Chinenye Justin Nwaogwugwu. 

    May I know the location for this?

     

    You may find interesting here 

    http://www.lenntech.com/water_reuse_food_industry.htm

    http://www.foodmanufacturing.com/article/2014/08/reusing-water-food-beverage-facilities

    http://www.waterworld.com/articles/iww/print/volume-12/issue-04/feature-editorial/challenges-opportunities-for-water-reuse-in-the-food-beverage-industry.html

     

  5. Hello Mr. Nwaogwugwu,

    With the food industry’s growing interest in minimizing water use, our company has been involved in analyzing the wash and rinse wastewater generated from potato and carrot processing plants.  Using the PeCOD® COD Analyzer, wash and rinse wastewater is sampled and analyzed for COD on the same day.  Since the analysis time for COD takes approximately 15 minutes per sample, it has the potential to be a useful tool for predicting BOD concentrations.  By continuously monitoring COD, the potato industry can optimize the washing and processing of potatoes to minimize water use and washwater treatment requirements by active control of the production process.  The PeCOD® COD Analyzer does not use harmful dichromate or mercury, making it a fast, green, and safe method for analyzing COD. 

    Please let me know if you are interested in learning more about our involvement in optimizing water use in the food production process.

    Maggie 

    1 Comment

  6. Wastewater generated from food processing plants represent a significant sustainable opportunity if viewed from the proper perspective. 

    In food product(s) production; raw materials, labor and energy are utilized as inputs.  In conversion processing not all the inputs yield finished product. 

    Some inputs are underutilized in processing and cleaning operations.  These lost inputs have value and can provide revenue if optimally recovered, processed and re-purposed. 

    Point source processing of high strength waste water streams is an economically viable solution to address environmental regulatory obligations. 

    If this is of further interest I can facilitate the specific devlopment of and define the applications.

    Jeff

     

  7. have a processing tank (any size) oxidation cycle,(Large paddle with electrical power.  Add microbes to breakdown all compounds into elemental form. Now ready for reuse as mineralized irrigation water. Less fertilizer needed. Healthy crops. high brix. If in a drought area water is potable for drinking.  Less than one penny per gallon. Much less.

  8. For the volume of waste water measurement you can install a flow meter (http://www.flowmeters.com/) connected to a PLC that calculates the volume continuously and stores the data in an archive via a SCADA application. As for its purity the same setup equipped for measurement of clarity, chemical content, conductivity. Again storing the data in an archive via SCADA application. Automation can prove to be  a very accurate and cost effective solution ( simple to maintain too) to these kinds of applications. -Albert Blanco

  9. For the volume of waste water measurement you can install a flow meter (http://www.flowmeters.com/) connected to a PLC that calculates the volume continuously and stores the data in an archive via a SCADA application. As for its purity the same setup equipped for measurement of clarity, chemical content, conductivity. Again storing the data in an archive via SCADA application. Automation can prove to be  a very accurate and cost effective solution ( simple to maintain too) to these kinds of applications. -Albert Blanco

  10. I will suggest no generalised solution but specific trials with respect to each item required to be washed. If raw product is having too much foreign items required to be washed (Potatoes) , then multi-stage washing can be tried and water requirements can be ascertained for each washing.

    Method of applying water shall also vary wrt items to be washed.. jet spray, gentle sprinkling or immersion with mild agitation or closed loop circulation can be tried. The system can be designed specific to available space.

  11. According to the Food Safety & Standards Authority of INDIA(Ministry of Health &Family Welfare)  Adequate facilities for washing of raw food should be provided. All basins (or other facilities) for washing food items must have an adequate supply of hot and/or cold water. The water shall at least be of potable in nature. These facilities must be kept clean and, where necessary, disinfected. Sinks which are used for washing raw foods shall be kept separate and that should not be used for washing utensils or any other purposes.

    www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/Portals/.../UNEP_PRE_SME_ITH_Chapter_4.pdf

    provisioncoalition.com/.../A%20review%20of%20 Wastewater %20Management%20a...

    U can also follow above links .......

                                               

  12. For potato industry

    a) transport and washing 2.5 - 6 m3/t - recyclable

    b)peeling and cutting 2 0 3m3/t

    For fruit, vegetables frozen food

    a) washing and peeling 15 - 30 m3/t

    For fish 

    a) washing and cooking 15 - 30 m3/t

    Cane sugar

    a) washing 5 - 10 m3/t

  13. It is in function of the type of food but I have follow records:

    1-Brewing is 4-6 liter water/liter of brewing

    2-Dairy is  800-1200 liter water/1000 liter milk

    3-Canning is 2,5-4,2 liter water/liter product

    4-Beet sugar is 10-20 liter water/kg sucrose