Poultry renderer recognized for wastewater reclamation

Tyson Foods’ River Valley Animal Foods (RVAF), Scranton, Arkansas, is a model of environmental stewardship, converting the offal, feather and blood received from the surrounding area’s poultry processing plants into usable feed and oil ingredients.

The modified 4-stage Bardenpho process reactor basin where River Valley Animal Foods treats 800,000 gallons of wastewater daily. | River Valley Animal Foods
The modified 4-stage Bardenpho process reactor basin where River Valley Animal Foods treats 800,000 gallons of wastewater daily. | River Valley Animal Foods

Tyson Foods’ River Valley Animal Foods (RVAF), Scranton, Arkansas, is a model of environmental stewardship, converting the offal, feather and blood received from the surrounding area’s poultry processing plants into usable feed and oil ingredients.

RVAF received an unprecedented third consecutive year of recognition in the Clean Water Awards in 2016 because of its protection of the environment with processes and practices such as the following:

  • Diverting out-of-specification production from the landfill to a recycler for conversion to valuable compost
  • Capturing the oils and solids in the dissolved air flotation (DAF) sludge from the wastewater treatment process for return to wastewater treatment process
  • Recycling the facility’s cardboard, pallets, shredded paper, the truck shop’s used engine oil and filters, batteries, lightbulbs and computer components
  • Consistently exceeding permit requirements for wastewater discharges

The Scranton poultry wastewater treatment facility, which received a full treatment category honorable mention in the 2016 U.S Poultry and Egg Clean Water Awards, treats a daily average of 800,000 gallons of wastewater generated from by-product recovery processes.

RVAF-wastewater-treatment-capacity

The wastewater treatment system has significant additional capacity available based on permitted flow and monitored parameter requirements.

The Clean Water Award recognizes outstanding poultry company and allied industry wastewater facilities. The full treatment facilities reclaim all wastewater prior to discharge into the environment.

The Scranton facility’s reclaimed water easily exceeds the RVAF permitted concentrations for discharging water to the Arkansas River.

Reclaimed water easily exceeds permit requirements

RVAF uses a modified oxidation ditch system upgraded to a four-stage nutrient removal process, a choice that saved on new tanks. The challenge became balancing and controlling aeration and mixing zones. But with highly trained operators, the upgrades have yielded reclaimed water that easily exceeds the RVAF permitted concentrations for discharging water to the Arkansas River.

Dana Pierce, Tyson Foods area environmental manager, noted, “I encourage operators to get a municipal operator’s license since it is for more advanced treatment compared to most other industrial systems.”

Karalea-Wells-and-Dana-Pierce

Karalea Wells, wastewater treatment manager at Scranton, and Dana Pierce, area environmental manager

In fact, ample treatment capacity remains. No significant non-compliances or notices of violations or any other type of enforcement action has occurred during the past four years.

Water capture and reuse

Daily paved area washdowns use about 200,000 gallons of reclaimed water with another 100,000 gallons of city water replaced for a new blood dryer. The facility is studying complete capture of its storm water in a man-made wetland previously developed with a local university.

RVAF supports many local charitable organizations, but it also provides an economic boost to the local community. Roughly 1 million pounds of off-spec product has been diverted from landfilling to a local composting business. A local farmer purchases, cuts and bales hay from RVAF grounds with the proceeds aiding the school district FFA program.

RVAF was recognized for consistently exemplifying clean water and environmental stewardship in the poultry industry. The awards criteria include achievement in water quality including treatment processes, reuse and technological innovations. Other factors include community involvement, broader natural resource conservation initiatives, and how well the facility exemplifies environmental stewardship.

The Clean Water Awards are sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

 

 

Learn more about wastewater treatment at Tyson Foods:

Tyson Foods plants wetlands for stormwater, http://video.wattagnet.com/2bdF

 

 

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