VWT UK Optimises Water Treatment For AB World Foods
Environmental

VWT UK Optimises Water Treatment For AB World Foods

Photo of NSI Mobile Water Solutions NSI Mobile Water Solutions Send an email 06/01/2022
266 3 minutes read
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Veolia Water Technologies UK (VWT UK) has supplied organic-based water treatment chemicals from its Hydrex range to help food manufacturer, AB World Foods optimise its effluent treatment. The innovative VWT solution has helped the production facility in Leigh, Lancashire to reduce costs by approximately 50% or £1000 per month, streamline process management and ensure compliance with the conditions of its trade effluent discharge permit.

AB World Foods is an international food producer with a portfolio of brands that includes Patak’s, Blue Dragon, Levi Roots, Al’Fez and TABASCO®. It operates across eight sites worldwide, including two based in the UK.

Due to the nature of the products manufactured at the Leigh site, the water discharged from the production line contains significant levels of suspended solids as well as fat, oil and grease (FOG) content. Like many similar factories, AB World Foods operates a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) water treatment process to remove the contamination from the water before it is discharged. This process is aided by the use of a chemical coagulant to help separate the particles more effectively.

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VWT UK Optimises Water Treatment For AB World Foods

Brian Jones, Business Development Manager at VWT UK explained: “When I first visited AB World Foods in 2019, the site was using a tannin-based coagulant, similar to the type we produce, but it was not performing consistently. The process had become too complex to manage and chemical usage was unpredictable. These issues meant the water quality had, at times, fallen out of the limits specified by the wastewater discharge consent issued by United Utilities.”

In consultation with the site facilities team, VWT UK analysed the requirements and recommended a combination of its Hydrex 6861 organic coagulant and Hydrex 6521 anionic liquid polymer, which consolidates the flocs for easy removal. The new solution was then trialled to demonstrate the effectiveness before it was fully implemented. VWT UK also provided full training for the plant operators so they could understand the chemistry of the products and manage the process in the most effective way.

Hydrex 6861 is a vegetable-based organic coagulant made from renewable Black Acacia tree bark. It provides a more efficient, cost-effective and simpler alternative to traditional metal-based coagulants such as ferric chloride or polyaluminium chloride (PAC). It does not require the use of caustic chemicals, has lower dosing requirements compared to other products and, when compared with metal-based options, it produces a lower volume of sludge for the same level of performance. Also, its organic composition means it is biodegradable to ensure a minimal environmental impact and allow a wider range of sludge disposal options.

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Chris Sanders, Site Facilities Manager at AB World Foods commented: “The VWT solution has been in place for more than two years and we have seen very impressive results. Chemical usage is now far more consistent and predictable, and the quantity used has been reduced by around 50%, saving the business approximately £1,000 per month.”

“The demand on the team has also been reduced, allowing us to focus on other areas of the site. Previously, we needed to check the treatment system regularly throughout the day to ensure it was operating correctly. We are now able to perform a check about once a day.”

Furthermore, the site has been able to achieve a more consistent level of quality for the treated water with no chemical issues causing breaches in the trade effluent consent limits. Improvements in the quality of the discharged water has also meant a reduction in trade effluent (Mogden) charges. The average cost in 2019-20 and 2020-21 (year to date) was £1.78 and £2.07 per m3 of effluent discharged respectively, down from £2.24 before the VWT chemicals were introduced – a reduction of 20.5% and 7.6% respectively.

Due to this success, the partnership has been extended with VWT UK recently awarded the service and maintenance contract for the water treatment plant and chemical dosing system.

For more information about Veolia Water Technologies UK and its range of chemical water treatments, please visit www.veoliawatertechnologies.co.uk.

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Mobile Water Services is a leading provider of temporary water treatment solutions. Our services allow plant operators to have a reliable and secure source of treated water 24/7, 365 days a year, to maintain continuity of supply to core operations.

Mobile Water Services offers an effective and efficient alternative to fixed plants in a wide range of industrial situations and circumstances. Ideal for emergency situations where an existing plant has failed, they can also be used when carrying out planned commissioning, refurbishment or maintenance projects or for multi-year requirements, when the need for temporary but continuous water supply is critical to operations.

We provide a full-service offering with flow rates ranging from 5 m3/hr to 1000 m3/hr. Our solutions include high-quality assets to rent, consumables, spare parts, chemicals, and services. Our vast range of technologies, such as filtration, ultrafiltration deionisation, reverse osmosis, degasing, softening and clarification, are available as pre-packaged solutions on a trailer, skid or container for maximum mobility and rapid response. All pre-engineered with ‘plug and play’ connections for ease of use. The offer comprises a range of containerised tanks, pumps, and accessories to provide a complete end-to-end solution. We also provide transport and logistics, process knowledge, training, and ongoing support during commissioning and operation. Our services enable clients to be as hand-on or hands-off as they need.

Mobile Water Services’ proven track record for rapid response and delivering service excellence is unrivalled and enables our customers to maintain production operations.

Where we supply to

UK Ireland, Europe

Industries we supply to

Chemicals, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Metals and Minerals, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries

Photo of NSI Mobile Water Solutions NSI Mobile Water Solutions Send an email 06/01/2022
266 3 minutes read
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