Effluent Background
The Kerry Foods site in Anneyron produces a range of premium fruit-based purées, compotes, and frozen goods for local and wider European distribution. Effluent generated from cleaning and processing operations is treated at an onsite food effluent treatment plant, constructed in 2003. The plant employs activated sludge technology and comprises screening, a balance tank, and an aeration tank. Treated effluent is discharged directly into a storage lagoon where it then flows into the SNCF canal.
Scope
MSA undertook a detailed Effluent Strategy Review in 2021 for the site to validate proposed strategies would deliver the expected benefits. This included a detailed assessment of the crude effluent and Effluent treatment plant performance data. This inital work included the following:
- Review of the current effluent treatment plant volumes and loadings
- Review of plant performance and compliance levels
- Calculation of the key volumetric and loading treatment capacities for each unit stage
- Assessment of the current volumetric and loading capacity of the overall effluent treatment plant (ETP)
- Highlight major deficiencies in system design that would potentially lead to poor performance and unstable operation
- Review of short-term options to improve ETP performance/reliability
- All options costed and briefly reviewed in terms of advantages and disadvantages (e.g. budget costs (OPEX and CAPEX), space requirements, flexibility, etc)
- Guidance to Kerry on the cost effectiveness / value for money of the proposed solution based on our experience
- Recommended strategy plan for the site
This work culminated in helping Kerry to develop a suitable User Requirement Specification for upgrading the plant using a phased approach. This involved upgrades to the existing plant to help improve compliance including a new pH correction system, aerator, tertiary cloth filter and screw press for sludge dewatering. This was competitively tendered with the installation works successfully concluded by the end of 2021.
Ongoing Effluent Plans
In 2022, MSA will be working closely with the site to look at the long term upgrade options to the food effluent treatment plant, in line with Kerry’s continued success and growth.
