The requirements for wastewater treatment in the food and beverage industry can vary greatly depending on the production and load, as well as seasonal or campaign operations. There is not only very special production water from the respective industry, but mostly also cooling, cleaning and sanitary waste water from the factories. The partial flows can be very different in terms of volume flow and contamination parameters. In addition, specific optimization approaches with regard to water circuits and process requirements or the type of discharge flow into the planning and dimensioning of industrial wastewater treatment.
Food and beverage industry
INVENT solutions for
Food and beverage industry
The following sectors belong to the field of waste water treatment in the food industry:
- sugar and starch factories
- Vegetable and fruit processing industry
- milk processing industry
- Slaughterhouses and meat or fish processing industry
- Edible oil and fat production
- Beverage production, breweries, winemaking
- distilleries and yeast industry
Challenges for machine technology
The wastewater composition depends on the branch and the individual production line. Usually, a biological stage for waste water treatment is used after the individually required preliminary treatment. The choice of the appropriate procedure, aerobic, anaerobic or a combination of both process stages, depends heavily on the wastewater composition, temperature, load and also volume flows.
For example, in the case of waste water containing fat, such as in oil, milk and meat processing plants, a fat separation before the biological process makes sense. Fats and oils, just like surfactants from rinsing and washing water, have a negative effect on the substance transport during aeration in waste water and can damage membrane aerators. Another challenge lies in the favored formation of bulking sludge or sludge that is difficult to settle. These can be decisively positively influenced by the choice of process and operating parameters, also by choosing the right stirring and aeration system.
In addition to other ingredients, an increased process temperature must be taken into account when choosing the machine technology in order to ensure a long-term and operationally stable process.
Regardless of whether wastewater contains corrosive, abrasive or greasy/oily components or has high temperatures, INVENT can offer a tailor-made, robust and efficient solution thanks to the wide range of machine technology and many years of experience in various industrial applications.
Our diagram gives a general overview of typical process steps in the wastewater treatment of beverage and food processing plants.
INVENT offers you mixing technology as well as mixing and aeration systems optimized for the respective mixing task and the process. Contact us here.
- Grit Removal
- Neutralization
- Precipitation and Coagulation
- Flocculation
- Emergency Tank
- Storage and Equalization
- Hydrolysis
- Pre-Acidification
- Anaerobic Treatment
- Selector
- Denitrification
- Nitrification
iCBA®-Aeration System
Settling contaminants such as sand not only impair the cleaning performance of a sewage treatment plant, but also cause serious damage to the equipment. The aeration of the sand trap accelerates and improves the settling behavior of mineral solids and thus prevents operational disruptions.
The robust iCBA®-Aeration System has been specially developed for harsh operating conditions. The durable stainless steel construction ensures long-term reliable gassing performance.
CYBERPITCH®-Mixer
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
To discharge wastewater into the public sewer system or an in-house biological treatment plant, the pH value must be within the permissible range of 6.5 to 9. To adjust the pH value, acids or bases are specifically added to achieve neutralization.
The CYBERPITCH®-Mixer is ideally suited for this purpose. Thanks to its robust design made of high-quality stainless steel and its flow-optimized blade design, it ensures effective and uniform mixing. The construction is specifically designed for turbulent flows, thus efficiently supporting the neutralization of wastewater.
The HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer is also used for neutralization and stands out due to its high energy efficiency during tank content mixing. It is the preferred choice when effective neutralization and economical use of energy are both required.
CYBERPITCH®-Mixer
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
In addition to adjusting an optimal pH value, the selection of a suitable mixer is essential for a successful precipitation reaction. For destabilizing the colloidal state, high energy input and extended contact time between the precipitant and the colloid are required to form microflocs.
The CYBERPITCH®-Mixer combines these aspects through its flow-optimized mixing blade and high-speed design.
The GRF-Mixer also unites these aspects with its proven blade shape and application.
In cases where a less gravity-intensive mixing design is required, the HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer is an excellent choice.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Flocculator
The success of macrofloc formation relies on gentle mixing that simultaneously ensures complete recirculation of the entire tank content and the flocculation aids within the retention time.
The HYPERCLASSIC®-Flocculator, with its hyperboloid-shaped mixing body and low rotational speeds, minimizes shear forces while ensuring complete tank mixing. This promotes frequent particle interactions, enabling maximum floc growth.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
In emergency tanks, wastewater resulting from unforeseen leaks is collected and then either directed to a wastewater treatment plant or properly disposed of. To prevent build-up and sedimentation, the wastewater must be continuously mixed.
The HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer is excellent for this purpose, as it provides particularly high circulation capacity, ensuring smooth operation.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixing and Aeration System
In mixing and equalization basins, wastewater from various areas is collected and homogenized. This effectively prevents peak loads on the biological part of the treatment plant. In some cases, a mixing and equalization basin even serves as the sole treatment stage for wastewater directly on the company premises. Here, the wastewater is collected during the day and discharged into the municipal wastewater treatment plant at night when its load is at its lowest.
For this application, the HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer is particularly suitable due to its high circulation capacity.
In some cases, mixing and equalization basins are aerated to prevent anaerobic conditions and enable the degradation of pollutants in advance. For these requirements, the HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixing and Aeration System offers an optimal solution, as it ensures both effective aeration and reliable mixing.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
During hydrolysis, complex macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down into shorter organic compounds with the help of enzymes, which act as biological catalysts.
The HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer is distinguished by its particularly low-shear energy input while ensuring optimal homogenization of the tank content. Additionally, it significantly reduces the flow velocity at the water surface, completely preventing undesirable oxygen ingress.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
A sufficient initial acidification of the dissolved polymers to form short-chain organic acids is decisive for a stable and efficient process in anaerobic wastewater treatment and ultimately a high methane yield.
Since this process is carried out by anaerobic bacteria, it is essential to avoid oxygenation, for example via the water surface.
The HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer is installed near the bottom and generates a strong radial bottom flow. Since the speed at the water surface has reduced to such an extent that oxygen entry is effectively prevented, the HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer is particularly suitable for this agitating task. In addition, thanks to the high pumping capacity, it ensures that all of the wastewater is thoroughly mixed, thereby ensuring efficient utilization of the entire reactor.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
Anaerobic processes play an important role in many industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants. In the process, organic compounds are fermented in the absence of oxygen and, via intermediate stages, methane, among other things, is produced as the end product.
If mechanical mixing is required for these processes, the HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer represents an optimal solution. The agitator body is installed close to the ground and generates a strong radial bottom flow. In addition, thanks to its high pumping capacity, it ensures that the entire contents of the tank are thoroughly mixed and thus that the entire reactor is used efficiently.
Numerical flow simulation (CFD) is an important and reliable tool for checking the interaction of the building geometry (inlet and outlet situations, baffle plates, overflows, etc.) with the existing or planned installations. This allows the efficiency of the entire system to be evaluated under different load conditions. Possible weaknesses in the design, such as additional turbulence, which can generate an unplanned oxygen input, can be identified and optimized in good time.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixing and Aeration System
In a selector, conditions are optimized to promote the growth of desired microorganisms over undesired ones. The selector is placed upstream of the biological treatment stage, where the return sludge is intensively mixed with fresh wastewater. A selector can be operated either aerated or non-aerated, with intensive mixing required in both cases.
For this reason, HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixers are particularly suitable for non-aerated selectors, while HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixing and Aeration Systems are ideal for aerated selectors.
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
In denitrification it is crucial that the activated sludge is homogenized with the recirculation and feed stream. Oxygen entry at the water surface must be effectively avoided.
The HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer was specially developed for this. It generates both a high pump volume flow and a strong, radially outward bottom flow. Activated sludge is transported upwards along the tank wall. At the water surface, the speed has reduced to such an extent that no oxygen can be introduced.
E-FLEX®-Aeration System
TEX-FLEX®-Aeration System
iDISC®-Aeration System
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixing and Aeration System
HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer
The ammonium in the wastewater is oxidized to nitrate by bacteria using dissolved oxygen. This requires an energy-efficient ventilation system.
The modular E-FLEX®-Aeration System has a flat design close to the ground. An oscillating movement of the EPDM membranes results in a high bubble separation frequency and thus creates very small bubble sizes with a long residence time. For installation and maintenance work in filled tanks, the E-FLEX®-Aeration System can also be supplied as a liftable solution.
The iDISC®-Aeration System is predestined for this. It is a highly efficient, fine-bubble membrane aeration system that is suitable for a wide variety of pool geometries due to its modular design.
The E-FLEX®– and the iDISC®-Aeration System can be combined with the HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixer and is suitable for intermittent processes.
The TEX-FLEX®-Aeration System with its robust stainless steel construction and textile membrane is the right choice for aggressive media.
The HYPERCLASSIC®-Mixing and Aeration System offers real advantages, especially for industrial use. The purely mechanical ventilation system reliably ensures an efficient supply of oxygen with a constantly low pressure drop. In stirring mode, it ensures optimal mixing of the tank contents.
