Wastewater surveys were performed at several Gulf shrimp canneries over a period of three canning seasons. Water used for each process within the plant was metered and the wastewater was tested for biological, chemical and physical characteristics. Pilot screening tests were made over two canning seasons. Tangential, rotary and vibrating screens were evaluated. A 272 cu m/day (50 gpm) dissolved air flotation pilot plant with chemical addition and pH control was tested at the study plant over two canning seasons. A pilot basket centrifuge was evaluated for sludge dewatering. The study demonstrated that: (1) The waste poundage discharged per pound of raw shrimp processed is similar in most Gulf shrimp canning plants; (2) screening removal of heads and shells can be performed efficiently and with few operational problems; and (3) air flotation showed promise as a wastewater treatment method. When performing properly, treatment efficiencies were good, however, the operation was sensitive and treatment efficiencies that can be expected on a plant scale remain to be demonstrated.

Report prepared by Domingue, Szabo & Associates, Inc., Consulting Engineers, Lafayette, Louisiana. "Program element 1BB037, Roap/task 21 ALG-33, project S 800904." Includes bibliographical references (pages 108-109).