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Wastewater solution for Deeside Cereals

09 October 2023

Investment in new wastewater treatment equipment has enabled Deeside Cereals, a producer of cereals and cereal bars, to overcome a problematical effluent issue.

Deeside Cereals had first introduced a new Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) from Watermark to separate suspended solids and for the thickening of sludge.

However, the Fats Oils and Greases (FOG) caused by ingredients used in its processes, such as chocolate, rape seed oil and lecithin had at one point sent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) up to 78,000.

“The DAF unit from Watermark has proved successful, bringing COD down to 6,000 initially, but with very strict compliance levels to meet for Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, we wanted to make further improvements to our treatment regime,” explained Karl Johnson, Safety, Heath & Environment Manager at Deeside Cereals. “Working closely with Watermark, we agreed that the introduction of a high-quality aeration system would be best. Based on previous good experiences, Watermark recommended the AirJet from Landia and we decided to take one on trial for our new 60m3 wastewater treatment tank.”

Watermark had previously teamed up with Landia to help introduce a mixing system to handle wastewater at an expanding organic poultry producer in South Wales. Here, the AirJet eliminated the need for compressors, bottom-mounted diffusers and advanced controls.

To suspend the solids from effluent, the solution was soon put into operation on the site. Comprising a 5.5kW chopper pump and a venturi nozzle, the low-energy AirJet can mix and aerate down to a water depth of approximately 7.5, without the need for a compressed air supply.

Traditional challenges
“In the past, when our sugary water became entrained, it was very challenging to treat and fulfil our compliance obligations,” continued Karl. “It took a while for the AirJet and the DAF to harmonise, with some minor adjustments needing to be made around the length of time to aerate the trade effluent. We have also found that it is easier to control the COD by only half filling the tank, but we always test it before discharge – and, if necessary, we can aerate the effluent a little longer until it is below our compliance threshold. The Landia pump needs nothing more from us than a quick visual inspection each day to check on oil. We are now looking at setting up a service agreement for a twice-yearly maintenance check.”


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