Author: Karen Chambers

By Vaughn Mullet

Meat processing facilities, such as the poultry industry, produce wastewater with heavy loads of fats, oils, grease and solids. Before sending that water down the sewer drain, pre-treatment is required to remove as much of these solids and oils as possible. Removing these contaminants is simple with the proper designed DAF system. Yamada Pumps have been able to fill a “niche” in these systems, enabling better handling of the waste.

What is a DAF system?

Dissolved Air Flotation Systems (DAF) is a water treatment process that clarifies wastewater through the removal of suspended matter, such as, oil, greases or solids. The removal is achieved by dissolving air in the water or wastewater under pressure and then releasing the air at atmospheric pressure in a flotation tank or basin. The released air forms tiny bubbles which adhere to the suspended matter, casing the suspended matter to float to the surface of the water, where it may then be removed by a skimming device.

Pumps for handling DAF sludge.

A multitude of positive displacement pumps have been used to transfer the DAF sludge; however, recently AODD (Air-Operated Double Diaphragm) pumps have become an option. Their ability to handle the viscous sludge and the ability to run dry without damage enables the pump to continue to run as the hopper empties. Conventional ball valve design AODD pumps (with bottom suction, top discharge) constructed in Aluminum with TPO or Buna N elastomers, were previously used. In poultry fresh (kill) plants, pieces of debris from the wash down would hang up the ball check valves, requiring regular tear down for cleaning. This would require the conventional AODD pump to be removed from service and completely tore down in order to clean out the ball check areas.

Step in SolidPRO Pump!

Because the SolidPRO pump is designed to handle solids up to 2-inches and easy clean-out ports, it has quickly gained recognition as the preferred solids pump for DAF sludge.

Easy Clean-out Ports!

The SolidPRO clean-out cover plates enable access to the flapper check valves for easy flushing or cleaning.

Waste sludge from the DAF system that does not have suspended solids can be transferred to a “plate and frame” filter press. The Yamada pump is another perfect fit when compressing solids with minimal energy usage.

Yamada has quickly become the pump of choice within the poultry and meat processing industry. Either handling the sludge off the dissolved air flotation unit, compressing sludge in the filter press, or transferring solid laden sludges to be a transport carrier, there’s a Yamada pump to fit into any waste water DAF system.