Reducing dairy effluent treatment costs and environmental impacts
The dairy sector, like other parts of the food industry, is facing pressure to cut costs and to reduce its environmental footprint. Clearfleau's processes reduce costs and the environmental impact of dairy waste disposal by dealing more effectively with liquid effluents including:
- Waste water arising from dairy production
- Wash down residues and effluents
- Waste and reject dairy products
- Waste flows containing excess dairy fats
Clearfleau has been selected for an Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF) demonstration project with BV Dairy in Dorset. This plant will process the entire liquid waste stream from the site which is currently being discharged to sewer or hauled off site. The plant will process up to 60,000m3 per year and construction is under way. The civils have been completed and equipment is now being installed for commissioning later this year.
The plant will produce a significant proportion of the site’s energy needs (heat and power). A small scale trial unit was operated on the site as part of the final design phase and results have been very encouraging with excellent biogas production and reduction of feedstock COD from about 30,000 mg/l to less than 300 mg/l.
Liquid anaerobic treatment can be used for treating a range of liquid wastes from the dairy sector and can also be integrated into existing treatment systems. Additional options for effluent treatment, where the biogas potential of waste is lower, include the use of a thickening digester for recovered solids.
Detailed analysis of waste is required to evaluate biogas potential. You can assess effectiveness on your site with our mobile pilot unit. In addition to cutting disposal costs, other benefits include:
- Reduced discharge of effluent and haulage of waste off-site
- Generation of electricity and heat for use on-site
- Reduced environmental impact and lower carbon footprint
Clearfleau's effluent treatment expertise has been recognised by a number of UK dairy companies who are looking at ways of generating greater value from their waste. We have a number of plant design alternatives, which can be tailored to the specific circumstances on individual sites.
UK Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulations (IPPC) require companies to make continual improvements in environmental practices. ISO 14001 requires periodic environmental audits. The dairy sector is being encouraged to reduce net energy consumption and limit its overall carbon footprint. Generating energy from waste is eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs).
