Tackling the sludge 

• Strategic use of organic chemical cleaners saves UK dairy € 50 000 annually
• Reduced need for harardous chemicals and water savings as a direct result

Treating wastewater onsite can be a costly exercise.  A large British dairy set out to cut costs associated with wastewater treatment (150 m3 capacity) by implementing a new chemical treatment approach using a dissolved air flotation (DAF) unit, which reduces sludge generation. In addition to saving on operating expenses, the dairy also reduced its use of hazardous chemicals and associated corrosion of metals in its processes.

Key benefits

The cost of the previous chemical treatment regime included the purchase of such chemicals as sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and caustic and anionic polymer, as well as fees for sludge removal and landfilling of € 84 404 annually.

By changing sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and polymers to an organic coagulant, the company was able to reduce the cost of the chemical treatment by € 50 000 per year. And the volume of sludge produced by the treatment process was cut by 50 %, which had a positive effect on the cost of wastewater treatment.