Over the past several years, global temperatures have significantly increased; extreme whether has affected all continents; climate related disasters have become a common factor in many countries leaving vulnerable communities in despair. As a result, access to food and fresh water has also become a huge challenge for many, as key cities in Africa, America and Asia making ‘no water’ headlines in the recent times. Manufacturers are one of the biggest affected segments when it comes to water for production and used water within their processes.
Environmentally-concerned companies are increasingly looking out for setting up sustainable production units in this backdrop.
When Arla Foods in Denmark faced the challenges of an increase in RO (Reverse Osmosis) water from their dairy processes they turned to Grundfos BioBooster for a solution. Arla is a co-operative owned by more than 11,200 farmers in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
The dairy was extending their production of Mozzarella cheese, resulting also in a substantial increase RO water increase introduced uncertainty into the planned production increase, due to time constraints and limiting their ability to operate. Searching for a solution within a short time frame, Arla Foods got Grundfos support.
To solve the issue with the increased RO water, the dairy had three choices-discharging the RO water for treatment at the local municipal wastewater treatment plant, expanding the existing wastewater treatment plant at the dairy and construction of a decentralised water treatment for RO water, making water reuse at the dairy a possibility.
The economic assessment showed that a decentralised water treatment for RO water was the most beneficial solution. Applying this solution allowed for water reuse, providing peace of mind for future expansion.
With a patented solution from Grundfos BioBooster installed, the processing of RO water in a biological process followed by ceramic ultrafiltration membranes was possible. The biological treatment avoids the creation of biofilm and removes nitrogen, while ultrafiltration removes bacteria and particles. The treated water complies with both strict discharge water limits and water reuse quality.
Elements used in the treatment process are modular and easily extended, ensuring future growth of the dairy.
The Grundfos BioBooster installation is currently processing 450 cubic metres a day and is designed for 650 cubic metres a day, preparing the dairy for further production increases.
Now the solution delivers on all three – economic, social and environmental – dimensions of sustainability in the cheese production.
With the new system, the company has been able to reduce energy cost, operation cost and lifecycle costs significantly. The company can also rely on unmanned operation in a robust and durable solution resulting in reduced downtime and improved performance.
Other benefits include – stable water quality which meets requirements for discharge to a very sensitive inland receiving waters, drinking water standards, increase in water reuse possibilities, enable swift increase in cheese production and improve the environmental performance of the dairy.
According to Segment Director, Grundfos Bio Booster, Denmark, Soren Nohr Bak increasingly dairies and food and beverage industries need to focus on water reuse.”
BioBoosters help companies reduce the amount of water entering and exiting their plants.”
The Denmark-based co-operative, which can trace its roots back to one formed in Sweden in 1881, owns brands such as Lurpak and Anchor and has UK sites in Devon, Leeds and Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. It usually only pays part of its annual profit to farmers, according to a recent article in the Guardian. - CJ
