Online SAC₂₅₄ Measurement Provides Rapid Detection Of Load Changes In Dairy Processing Discharge

The waste water outlets from milk processing facilities are subject to requlatory requirements. A dairy discharging into the municipal sewer must meet its discharge permit limits. Similarly, a pre-treatment facility or the receiving public works facility must continually monitor the loading profile for efficient and effective operation. Continuous monitoring at any facility allows early detection of load peaks beyond rated limits and the proper reaction that eliminates operational upsets in subsequent treatment. Loading variations are detected easily by monitoring the stream SAC, or Spectral Absorption Coefficient.

During the processing of milk and dairy products, heavily loaded process wastewater can be discharged from the processing facility, feeding the influent to the wastewater treatment plant. Loading peaks can occur rapidly and, undetected, create performance problems for the receiving treatment plant.

For practical purposes, only random samples or mixed samples can be collected and measured in the laboratory to determine Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Continuous measurement of stream SAC, however, detects all peak loads without gaps or delay (Figure 1) and allows immediate and targeted process adjustment.