Food Industry
Effluent Plants
Waste water leaving a food processing factory generally requires treatment before it can be returned to the drains / sewers. Trade effluent must meet legislatory requirements. The producer of the waste is legally responsible from the date the waste is generated until it is fully recycled.
The process can involve physical, chemical and biological treatments. In broad terms the following stages are generally employed but this will be specific to the waste being processed.
Pre-treatment – the removal or breakdown of coarse solids.
Primary Treatment – removal of large solids by settling or filtration. Usually results in the removal of 50-60% of solids
Secondary Treatment – removal of solids and residual organic matter via aerobic and anaerobic processes. The most common method is activated sludge
Tertiary Treatment - remove remaining contaminants and disinfection process – chlorine, uv light or ozone.
There are four types of chemical process often employed in water treatment:
- pH neutralisers – to return the wastewater to a safe pH (ideally pH 7 neutral). More often it is acidic to basic adjustment that is required so Sodium Hydroxide is often deployed. For reactions in the other direction ,Sulphuric Acid or Hydrochloric Acid are commonly used.
- Antifoaming chemicals
- Flocculants
- Coagulants – typically Ferric Chloride, Aluminium Chloride or Aluminium Sulphate.
pH regulators and coagulants are typically corrosive and pose a risk to operatives during delivery, handling, decanting and maintenance procedures. These chemicals are often delivered and held in bulk quantities.
Contact with these chemicals will likely cause cellular destruction and the formation of a chemical lesion. Whilst the use of COSHH principles to reduce chemical risk and the hierarchy of controls will seek to limit incidents, we must have effective systems in place to manage a chemical splash to the skin or eyes. The bulk delivery of chemicals and large volumes held do introduce a full body splash risk – including during maintenance procedures.
Best practice indicates the provision of Diphoterine® solution to quickly and effectively decontaminate chemical splashes. The Amphoteric solution will flush the chemical whilst also binding the chemical aggressor preventing cellular destruction and promoting a quick return to the tissue to a safe physiological pH. The hypertonic nature of the solution creates a gentle osmotic draw thereby limiting chemical penetration.
Diphoterine® (DAPD) portable, maintenance free showers provide flexibility for the first aid management of chemical splashes. For example, the shower can be taken to the off-load point for the duration of a bulk delivery providing protection during the process. It can be located close by during planned maintenance operations – even if these are in confined spaces or on mezzanine floors, providing an effective emergency response.