The Davco Dissolved Air Flotation unit agglomerates the emulsified FOG for removal by skimmers.
Click here to enlarge imageThe biological phase of treatment is a Davco field-erected "complete-mix" activated sludge system, using circular steel tankage. In 1997, to meet the immediate 40,000 gpd capacity level, the process was designed into a single tank. In 2001, as part of a second phase, pretreatment capacity was elevated to the 80,000 gpd level through the addition of a second tank.
"Originally, we envisioned the addition of a second tank that was a mirror image of the first tank, but as we — the Davco design engineers, Dave Muskopf, and myself — were doing the process engineering on the second tank it became clear that other options would serve the process in a more efficient manner," Higginson said.
"In the end, we decided that rather than having equalization, aeration, sludge digestion, and clarification in each tank, it would be better if we divided the tasks between the tanks. Ultimately, equalization and sludge digestion was segregated to the first tank, and aeration and clarification was designated for the second tank."
It should be noted that the use of steel tankage — with bulkheads that can be altered and relocated — adds significantly to the overall process flexibility. This can be extremely important over the long-term, as needs evolve or change.
"To add operational flexibility, an auxiliary clarifier was added to process filtrate from the sludge-pressing operation. This gave us the added flexibility of pressing and treating at the same time," Higginson said.
Conclusion
Today, the demand for Ken's Foods' products continues to grow. Production is at peak levels at McDonough, and the Las Vegas facility will be coming on-line soon. This kind of growth is only possible when you consistently produce a great product and take specific steps to be a good corporate citizen and — thanks in part to the pretreatment of its wastewater — a good neighbor.
About the Author: Julian Pauwels is Product Line Manager, Filtration, USFilter Davco Products, Thomasville, GA. He received his BSME from the Institute for Higher Technical Studies of Antwerp, Belgium, and has been actively involved in the industry for more than 30 years. Contact Pauwels at: USFilter's Davco Products, 1828 Metcalf Avenue, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-227-8742, Fax: 229-228-0312, E-mail: [email protected].