The Role of DAF and MBBR Systems in Wastewater Treatment in the Food Industry

For commercial meat processing systems and facilities, there are a variety of wastewater treatment methods available that ensure compliance with health and safety standards. However, as some of these processes employ the use of chemicals that are potentially harmful to the environment and difficult for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) to remove, it is important to consider the overall effects of the chosen treatment plan. Throughout the years, more economically and environmentally sustainable treatment alternatives have been developed as an answer to these problems. In particular, DAF and MBBR systems have proven useful for the meat industry.

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is a process that removes solid waste, dissolved oxygen, and oils from wastewater through the high-speed injection of an air and water solution. Tiny bubbles of oxygen attach to the waste materials in the water and rise to the surface, where a skimmer removes them for additional treatment. Compared to traditional gravity clarification used in wastewater facilities, DAF is more effective in reducing solids in wastewater.

Moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) systems use specially engineered plastic carriers with large surface areas to collect oxygen and bacteria and distribute them throughout the wastewater. Constant aeration keeps the carriers in motion within the wastewater, allowing the bacteria on the carriers to break down organic materials continuously. The greater surface areas of the carriers reduce the amount of internal tank area necessary for thorough biological decontamination, thereby increasing overall water treatment efficiency.

Both DAF and MBBR systems are ideal for use in the treatment of wastewater in meat processing facilities, due to their ability to efficiently and effectively remove a wide range of organic particles from wastewater without the use of harmful chemicals. Each system offers its own unique advantages, which makes it better suited than other treatment methods for specific situations. For example:

• DAF systemsare highly efficient and cost-effective at managing bulk and biological solids in wastewater. Their use of water and air solutions for solids removal makes them an environmentally friendly treatment solution.
• MBBR systemsserve as complete solids removal solutions for high-volume loads and/or limited space environments. Their lower process complexity minimizes the need for operator involvement and maintenance.

In the meat industry, DAF and MBBR systems are highly useful for the following applications:

• Animal holding and slaughtering operations
• Hide processing
• Meat preparation, processing, and production
• Inedible waste material handling

While these two systems are used separately in the above processes, they can be—and often are—used together for more effective water treatment.

Deciding on whether DAF, MBBR, or a combination of both systems suits a meat processing facility’s needs can be difficult, but the team at MacDermid Envio is here to help. At MacDermid Envio, we understand that each facility carries its own requirements and restrictions. For this reason, we offer a range of personalized services to ensure that each customer has the best system for their needs.

MacDermid Envio is a premier supplier of cutting-edge wastewater treatment solutions, including DAF and MBBR systems for meat processing and packaging facilities. Although we do not fabricate DAF systems, we are experts at sourcing high-quality DAF systems and integrating them into our customers’ new and existing facilities. Our top-of-the-line MBBR systems are designed and manufactured in-house for better automation and more efficient treatment.

By partnering with us for their wastewater treatment needs, meat industry customers benefit from our:

• 45 years of experience designing and developing industrial wastewater treatment solutions, including for high profile clients
• Highly knowledgeable team consisting of engineers, chemists, and fabricators
• Broad range of full-service capabilities, including equipment design, build, and installation, chemical optimization, automation and controls integration, after-sales service and support, and system upgrades

For additional information about our wastewater treatment solutions or how we serve the meat industry, contact us today.