Production and recovery of protein from industrial effluent is one of the most advanced developments in modern industrial waste management. The system is environmentally friendly and convert costly waste removal systems into profitable operations. In this way the ever increasing pressure on municipal sewage systems is relieved and their life-span prolonged.

How does the system work?

The treatment of effluent is combined with protein production and recovery through biological and physical processes that enhance and capture protein, normally lost in the process. Thus single cell protein is produced from non - protein waste, resulting in a 90% + effluent load reduction and recovery of saleable protein.

Process description

The process basically operates in four stages:

1. Primary treatment
2. Cultivation of micro-organisms in a reactor
3. Secondary
4. Product handling (dewatering, disinfection and drying)

   Steps 1 and 3 are commonly used in effluent treatment. Step 2 is a biological process adapted to specific effluents and its characteristics Step 4 is the normal disinfection and drying process for abattoir by-products, but adapted for the protein product. Effluent is used as a substrate in the cultivation of micro-organisms. Excess micro-organisms are separated from the treated effluent and used as a single cell protein source with protein values varying from 45 to 70% with enormous value as animal feed.

   AIWPS™ technologies

   Advanced integrated Wastewater Pond Systems, developed in the United States and proven during three decades of successful applications in many regions, offer sustainable wastewater management and reclamation to municipalities, residential developments, industries and farms.

   

   Components

   Although AIWPS™ may appear to be an adapted traditional pond system, each AIWPS™ facility is uniquely designed and incorporates a series of low-cost ponds or earthwork reactors. Depending on specific effluent characteristics, regulatory requirements, human resources, and local climatic conditions, a typical AIWPS™ facility consists of at least four ponds in series, i.e.

   1. An advanced Facultative Pond with Fermentations Pits;
   2. Algal High Rate Pond where photosynthetic oxygenation, oxidation, and nutrient assimilation occurs
   3. Algal Settling Ponds; and
   4. A Maturation Pond where final effluent storage and further natural disinfection occurs.

   AIWPS™ facilities are designed to minimize the accumulation of sludge and to maximize the production of oxygen through algal photosynthesis. Algal biomass is produced and can be used as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, or as protein-rich animal or fish feed (for further cultivation of high protein foodstuffs), modern medicine and even cosmetics for the idle!

   Fields of Application

   AIWPS™ facilities are economical, easy to construct and operate, can enhance job creation and community involvement and last, but not least, can provide aesthetic recreational advantages if adopted to form an integral part of the environment. The pond system can be maintained in a "park-like" condition, which will attract numerous species of bird-, fish-and wildlife, to be enjoyed by the surrounding community.