Managing Effluent from the Food Processing Industry

摘要

Wastes generated by the food processing industry, like chemical plant wastes, generally are composed of complex mixtures of organic and inorganic compounds. Moreover, as in the case of chemical processors; the food industry usually relies on the ability of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) to accept its waste-water. But because of the acidic or basic nature of many food processing wastes, POTWs enforce limits on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and pH levels. This column examines waste-water effluent from an orange juice processing operation, and compares two approaches to treating such effluent.