Parma Cheese Factory

Proposal for treatment with AquaClean

Based on technical review, we have been advised…

This is a relatively short a retention time in the process area, but it is modeled like an activated sludge system where the System Retention Time (SRT) is typically 4 – 48 hours, depending on the strength of the waste. Cheese Plant waste is usually very strong, as indicated by the high BOD values. So while the time in the Aeration Tanks is a little short, it is workable if they can supply enough oxygen to keep the tanks Dissolved Oxygen (DO) over 2 mg/L.

We believe that it is a better idea to skip treating the entry grease trap and let it do its job, removing as much of the congealed grease as possible, lowering the soluble organic load to the aeration basins. Therefore we recommend treating the Aeration Tanks, and treating the Settling Tank before it goes to the wetlands since this is almost like a facultative lagoon.

Low pH is probably from lactic, propionic and other acids common in cheese production. If we can more effectively break these organic acids down, we can help keep the pH from dropping so much in the wetlands, where there are probably some additional acids generated anaerobically if the aeration basins aren’t removing enough of the BOD.

We have an excellent basis for success in removing the odors and lowering the BODs, but we must monitor the system to see what may be required to keep the pH from dropping. PH is harder to predict without more information, but I would not add soda or any alkaline salts to lower the pH. When using cheese waste as a fertilizer, one potential problem is binding of the soil due to the high sodium content of the cheese waste. Let’s wait and see what happens with AquaClean ACF-32 first, and modify treatment based on monitored results.

As such, we would apply the product as follows:

Day Aeration Tanks Effluent to Wetlands

1, 4 2 gal./day 5 gal./day

8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29 1 gal./day 2 gal./day

Maintenance 1 gal. 2x/week 1 gal. 2x/week

The first month would use 38 gallons, and the annual maintenance would require 192 gallons per year (4 gallons per week). It is possible that the dosage in the Aeration Tanks could be reduced to ½ gallon in maintenance, but this must be monitored.