|
Summary
Fan press screw separator
Traditional approach
Cleaner production initiatives
Benefits
Where to find additional information
|
|
January 2001
Summary
The installation of a press screw separator has greatly helped
Myora Farm to manage the effluent from its piggery operations
by reducing the moisture content to a much lower and consistent
level. The solid component generated is now much easier to handle
and requires a fraction of the maintenance time and cost. Total
savings have been achieved of $40,000 per annum, with a payback
period of 10 months.
Business Profile
Myora Farm is an Australian, family-owned company employing
30 staff. The company began as a 120-sow semi-intensive piggery
in the Adelaide Hills. In 1995 the operation was shifted to the
outskirts of Mt Gambier, and has since developed into an 1100-sow
intensive piggery producing approximately 450 pigs for slaughter
each week and supplying piggeries throughout Australia with quality
breeding stock.
Financial assistance provided
An interest-free loan of $17,500 was provided by the EPA's
Pollution Prevention Fund.
Technology implemented
Installation of a FAN press screw separator for the separation
of solids from the liquid effluent.
Cleaner production motivators
To reduce the potential for a negative environmental impact,
reduce labour inputs, and increase the production of a viable
alternative to artificial fertiliser.
 |
| Fan Press
Screw Separator |
Fan press screw separator
The liquid effluent, containing solids, is pumped into the separator
through a chamber with a vibrating plate that ensures all solids
remain suspended. The effluent then enters the screening chamber
where a screw forces it along the screening cylinder inside the
chamber. The screw finishes 100 mm before the end of the screen
that, together with a weighted gate at the end of the chamber,
causes the solids to form a 'plug'. This plug further enhances
the draining of liquid from the solids. An unexpected and very
minor problem arose in that the solids are now so light and fluffy,
the platform the screen sits on had to be shrouded with shade
cloth to stop the solids from blowing away.
Traditional approach
- Approximately 550,000 litres per week of liquid effluent were
screened by run-down screen.
- The moisture content of solids was extremely inconsistent,
ranging from 50% to 95%.
- High labour inputs were required to maintain equipment and
the cleanliness of screening facility.
- Sawdust was used as a bed for the solids to be collected on,
allowing further drainage.
- Composting was slow to initiate and slow to complete due to
the higher-than-desirable moisture content.
- Employee morale was low due to a messy, high maintenance requirement.
Cleaner production initiatives
Benefits recommended and implemented
The new technology has reduced the time spent cleaning
and maintaining the effluent screening facility by 95%. The moisture
content of the solids from the screen is a consistent 50%, and
screen overflows no longer occur.
Benefits
| Environmental |
|
| Leachate |
- Reduced leachate production.
|
| Odour |
|
| Economic |
|
| Investment |
- $35,000 (includes EPA contribution)
|
| Product quality |
- Control over moisture content in screened solids
|
| Savings (per annum) |
- Savings in reduced labour cleaning and maintaining site
- $21,000
- Increased productivity in composting, and product value
- $10,000
- Savings in no longer using sawdust - $9,000
- Total savings - $40,000.
|
| Productivity |
Improvement in delivery to clients by increasing product
turnover. |
| Payback period |
Approximately 10 months. |
| OHS |
- Dramatic reduction in the need to work at a height
- New screen platform constructed to provide safety when
working at height
- Less operator contact with effluent.
|
Where to find additional information
Eco-efficiency Team
Environment Protection Authority
GPO Box 2607
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (+61 8) 8204 2004
www.epa.sa.gov.au
Mr Neill Hamilton
Myora Farm
PO Box 550
Mt Gambier SA 5290
Phone: (+61 8) 8725 0411
This page was last modified 06-05-2008
|
