Characterization and Treatment of Brine Wastewaters from the Cucumber Pickle Industry,

摘要

Industrial water and wastes surveys were conducted at two pickle companies. Water usage and waste characteristics were determined on major unit operations,including tankyard brining,desalting and processing,slicing and cutting operations,and pasteurization. Laboratory and pilot scale studies were performed to evaluate potential for recycling concentrated tankyard brines. Both a high pH coagulation-precipitation procedure and an ultrafiltration procedure were investigated. A 'desk-top'evaluation of various brine treatment processes compared their cost-effectiveness. The study indicated that in-plant water and salt usage could be substantially reduced by closer management and better housekeeping;that tankyard brines could be treated and reused at least once with no sacrifice of product quality;and that existing wastewater treatment facilities (aerated lagoons) could be upgraded to improve BOD and solids removal. Additionally,the results of the study provide a detailed characterization of the types and concentration of components of waste streams from unit operations in cucumber pickle production.