Excess phosphorus in wastewater is a common issue in food processing factories. The main reasons for phosphorus content in food wastewater are as follows:
Phosphorus in Raw Materials: Food ingredients like grains, vegetables, and meat naturally contain certain amounts of phosphorus, an essential element for biological growth. During the cleaning process before food processing, some of this phosphorus dissolves into the water, increasing the phosphorus content in the wastewater.
Food Additives and Processing Aids: Various additives are used in food processing to enhance color, flavor, and aroma, and to extend shelf life. These additives, such as preservatives, flavor enhancers, and stabilizers, may contain phosphorus compounds. The unabsorbed portion of these additives is discharged with the wastewater.
Use of Detergents: During the cleaning of raw materials and equipment, detergents are often used. Many detergents contain phosphorus, especially early formulations of phosphate-based detergents and industrial cleaners, which can significantly increase the phosphorus concentration in wastewater.
Decomposition of Animal and Plant Tissues: In the processing of meat and dairy products, the decomposition of animal tissues produces organic substances containing phosphorus, further increasing the phosphorus content in wastewater.
Microbial Activity: The growth and metabolism of microorganisms during food processing, especially in fermentation processes, generate phosphorus compounds, which also enter the wastewater.
Residual Feed Components: In the processing of animal products, such as dairy and meat products, unabsorbed phosphorus from animal feed can enter the wastewater system through animal excreta.
These sources collectively contribute to the high phosphorus content in food processing wastewater. If untreated wastewater is directly discharged, it can cause eutrophication of receiving water bodies, leading to excessive algal growth and ecological imbalance. Therefore, effective phosphorus removal measures are crucial for environmental protection.
Food processing wastewater is usually biologically treatable, and biochemical methods are often used to exploit the ability of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) to absorb and release phosphorus under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Meanwhile, phosphorus removal agents are widely used for advanced phosphorus removal in food wastewater. The primary mechanism of these agents is based on chemical precipitation, flocculation, and adsorption to remove phosphorus from the water.
Phosphorus removal agents for food factories have good flocculation properties and are rich in groups that can bind with phosphate ions, forming hydrophobic flocculent precipitates. These agents have high treatment efficiency and quick results, capable of reducing total phosphorus content to below 0.1 mg/L. Consequently, phosphorus removal agents are often used in conjunction with various phosphorus removal processes and are widely applied in advanced wastewater treatment.
When selecting an appropriate phosphorus removal agent, it is essential to consider the specific characteristics of the wastewater, the form of phosphorus present, treatment scale, and cost. Laboratory testing may be necessary to determine the most suitable agent type and dosage.
Phone : 86 153-6208-2716
Email : brian@san-mei.com
WhatsApp : 86-15362082716
Wechat : 86-15362082716
Address : No.163 Longhu Road, Tiantoujiao Village, Qiaotou Town, Dongguan city, Guangdong Province, 523000, China.
Copy ©right Guangdong Shanmei Environmental Technology Co.,Ltd.