Closed-loop wastewater reuse system for carcase washing in an australian export beef processing plant

摘要

The washing of meat products during processing is becoming more common owing to the concerns regarding food safety risks. The use of hot water washing for eliminating bacteria from carcases has proven effective, although large quantities of potable water are required. The work presented here outlines a novel water recycling system which has the potential to purify the spent wash water to levels recommended by the Austrialian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) as well as the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS). The need for large quantities of potable wash water is thereby eliminated. Already operating at the plant is a physical process comprising three solid/liquid separation processes in series (hydrocyclone, screening and settling). Results from this process are outlined, along with a fourth option whereby flocculation of the treated wastewater to further purify the recycled water is investigated at the laboratory scale.