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PROTEIN RECOVERY FROM BEEF PACKING EFFLUENT
Citation:
Ward, J., W. Adams, AND H. Isaksen. PROTEIN RECOVERY FROM BEEF PACKING EFFLUENT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-81/112 (NTIS PB81224362), 1981.
Description:
The wastewater from a beef packing plant contained 4,600 mg/1 COD and 2,500 mg/1 of suspended solids. A physiochemical wastewater treatment process that recovers protein removed 80% of the oxygen demand and suspended solids, and 94% of the fat, oil, and grease. Total cost was $3 per 1,000 gallons (44% capital costs). About 2 pounds of protein were recovered per head. A price of 42 cents per pound of protein would pay all costs. The discharge of BOD was reduced to less than 3 pounds per head. For every pound of BOD entering the wastewater treatment plant, 0.77 pounds of product was recovered with a composition of 38% protein, 11% grease and oil, 27% inorganic solids, and 24% other solids (dry weight basis). This wastewater treatment process can be used as a pretreatment process for beef packing effluent prior to discharge to a conventional sewage treatment plant. A literature survey covering 7 different beef packing wastewater treatment processes was developed from 87 papers and reports. The cost figures given above were observed in a full scale plant and should not change significantly with different size wastewater treatment plants.