Hydroxsys solves dairy wastewater dilema
Dairy wastewater management is one of the more challenging issues for dairy processors here in New Zealand and around the world. The nature of dairy waste means the wastewater generated from within the manufacturing and cleaning processes is highly variable. Wastewater content can range from relatively clean condensate water to harsh CIP (clean-in-place) cleaning fluids (caustic, acid and chlorine based), high levels of fats, oils and grease, proteins and residual carbohydrates from lactose and other ingredients.
High levels of BOD and COD are present as are various salts from nitrates, sulphates and chlorates. All of this combined leads to wastewater streams that are highly complex and challenging to resolve.
Dairy is an essential and substantial component of New Zealand’s economy. The dairy industry provides an efficient and healthy source of nutrition for billions of people. But how do we ensure dairy processing adheres to sustainable environmental practices that customers demand while protecting the value this industry brings? It is a complex issue that deserves an answer.
The Hydroxsys system approaches these issues differently. Where incumbent technology has dealt with one or two of wastewater issues, a system that caters to the wider needs of dairy wastewater management did not exist. Until now.
The Hydroxsys turn-key filtration plant may look the same as many other systems from the outside, but it is what is on the inside that really matters. Our patented membrane system is unique in that it can cope with the full spectrum of wastewater components that dairy can throw at it, and deliver a highly effective, clean-water solution enabling non-hygienic reuse of water, substantially reducing wastewater solids volumes, leading to substantial economic benefits for processors.
In all the trials we have undertaken within dairy processing sites, the results have been truly outstanding. Below are some of the test results and examples of pre- and post-filtration wastewater discharge. A rejection rate is the same as reduction, i.e., 99.5% rejection of total suspended solids means the amount of solids residual in the clean permeate water is only 0.5% of what was measured in the incoming raw feed.
By way of visual examples, here are two pre- and post-filtration examples of dairy processing waste. The results are (pun intended) very CLEAR!
So where do the solids go? Good question. Ninety five percent of the dairy wastewater volume is issued as clear, clean water. That means only FIVE percent of the original wastewater volume is retained as a solids waste concentrate. All those solids are now captured, contained, and sent to a separate holding tank for managed disposal.
We can’t make the solids magically disappear (not yet anyway), but we can significantly reduce the management and cost of managing those solids. In fact, by increasing the solids content we can open new options for how the solids are handled, and even support new value streams being created by redirecting wastewater solids for alternative use.
The impact is positive, but it doesn’t stop at the factory gate. The improvement in the quality of the wastewater also transfers to municipal treatment facilities with a direct positive impact on those systems too. This reduces the loading on municipal plants, increases the net capacity of those plants (by addressing the wastewater solids at source) and creates a resource of clean water that can be redeployed, reducing stress on natural water. That creates opportunities for processors to work with their councils to enhance the operation of municipal treatment plants and reduce the cost of their waste discharge.
No matter which way we look at it, the Hydroxsys system is ideal for dairy processing wastewater.
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