How PAA affects poultry wastewater treatment systems

New research from the Georgia Institute of Technology evaluated the long-term impacts of residual Peracetic Acid (PAA) on biological wastewater treatment systems in poultry processing facilities.

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Anton Mislawsky I shutterstock.com
Anton Mislawsky I shutterstock.com

New research from the Georgia Institute of Technology evaluated the long-term impacts of residual Peracetic Acid (PAA) on biological wastewater treatment systems in poultry processing facilities.

“Such information enhances our understanding relative to the fate and effect of PAA solutions in poultry processing wastewater treatment systems, information crucial for the rational design and operation of biological treatment processes, especially those related to biological nutrient removal and anaerobic wastewater treatment,” explained Spyros Pavlostathis, Ph.D., professor of environmental engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

PAA is an antimicrobial agent used in processing to reduce the pathogen load on poultry and poultry products in chillers, in a dip or in a spray.

How the research was conducted

The project assessed the long-term effects of PAA and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on a variety of poultry processing biological removal and anaerobic treatment processes currently in use in the poultry industry.

“Although very high PAA concentrations are maintained in poultry chillers, during the normal operation of poultry processing plants, PAA was not detected in dissolved air flotation influent and effluent. This is the direct result of PAA decomposition to acetic acid and oxygen,” Pavlostathis said.

However, when wastewater with high residual PAA concentrations is present at the end of a shift – due to the emptying of chiller tanks or in the case of an accidental PAA solution spill – nitrification, denitrification and anaerobic degradation are affected.

“The outcome of the present study provides systematic information to the poultry processing industry to develop a sound methodology and employ measures that will ensure the continuous use of PAA solutions to achieve pathogen-free products, while avoiding upsets of biological wastewater treatment processes by PAA-bearing wastewater,” Pavlostathis concluded.

The project received funding from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

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