Treatment systems engineered to handle elevated organic loads from milk, whey, and dairy product processing operations.
Nordic dairy wastewater standards. Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish effluent limits for milk and cheese processing.
Wastewater treatment for fluid milk processing plants. Handle CIP chemical consumption, spill milk and packaging residues.
Specialised wastewater treatment for dairy wastewater standards.
Australian dairy wastewater standards including AS 1210, AS/NZS 4020 and state EPA requirements for milk processing equipment.
Dairy processing generates wastewater with extremely high BOD concentrations from milk, whey, cream, and product residues. Spills and cleaning operations can create shock loads that challenge conventional treatment systems.
Product spills and tank washings can generate BOD concentrations of 10,000-50,000 mg/L.
Whey processing wastewater contains high lactose and protein concentrations with BOD up to 70,000 mg/L.
CIP operations and batch processing create significant flow and loading variations.
High protein and surfactant content creates persistent foam in advanced biological treatment systems.
Our treatment systems combine flow equalization, high-rate clarification, and robust biological processes to handle dairy wastewater's extreme organic loading.
Large balancing tanks smooth flow and loading variations, protecting downstream biological processes.
Dissolved Air Flotation removes fats, proteins, and suspended solids before advanced biological treatment.
Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor with extended aeration provides stable treatment for high BOD wastewater.
Remove coarse solids and debris that could interfere with downstream processes.
Balancing tank normalizes flow and loading variations from batch operations.
Neutralise acidic or alkaline wastewater to optimal range for advanced biological treatment.
Flotation removes fats, proteins, and suspended solids before advanced biological treatment.
Extended aeration MBBR degrades dissolved organics and reduces BOD by 95%+.
Lamella clarifier separates biological sludge for recycling or disposal.
Protein Recovery
Sludge Volume Reduction
| Parameter | Range (mg/L) | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| BOD5 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 2,500 |
| COD | 2,000 - 10,000 | 5,000 |
| TSS | 500 - 3,000 | 1,200 |
| Fats & Oils | 100 - 800 | 400 |
| Total Nitrogen | 50 - 300 | 150 |
| Total Phosphorus | 10 - 100 | 40 |
| Parameter | Direct Discharge | To Sewer |
|---|---|---|
| BOD5 | < 20-30 mg/L | < 300-600 mg/L |
| COD | < 100-125 mg/L | < 1,000 mg/L |
| TSS | < 20-35 mg/L | < 400-600 mg/L |
| Fats & Oils | < 10-15 mg/L | < 100 mg/L |
| pH | 6.0 - 9.0 | 6.0 - 10.0 |
| Temperature | < 30°C | < 40°C |
Wisconsin, USA | 500,000 L/day
Victoria, Australia | 1.2M L/day
Netherlands | 200,000 L/day
| Equipment | Key Specifications | Performance | Capacity Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotary Drum Screen | SS316, 0.5-2mm slot, variable speed | Removes solids > 0.5mm | 10-500 m³/h |
| Equalization Tank | 24-48 hr detention, mixing, pH control | Flow & load balancing | 50-5,000 m³ |
| DAF Unit | Saturator with pall rings, scraper | 80-95% TSS removal | 5-500 m³/h |
| MBBR System | K1/K3 media, fine bubble aeration | BOD loading 2-5 kg/m³/day | 10-10,000 PE |
| Lamella Clarifier | 60° inclined plates, SS316 construction | Surface loading 1-2 m/h | 5-200 m³/h |
| Screw Press | Multi-disc design, variable speed | 18-22% dry solids cake | 10-500 kg DS/h |
-2,000 per m³/day capacity depending on treatment level and equipment selection
-2.00 per m³ including energy, chemicals, and sludge disposal
Protein and fat recovery can offset 10-30% of operating requirements
Treatment can reduce sewer charges by 50-80% vs. untreated discharge
Treating high-strength dairy effluent demands kinetics-aware design.
BOD₅: oxygen demand by biology over 5 days at 20°C. COD: total oxidisable demand. Dairy BOD:COD ratio 0.55–0.70 indicates high biodegradability.
μ = μmax · S / (KS + S). For dairy biology: μmax 0.5–0.8 d⁻¹ (aerobic), 0.3–0.5 d⁻¹ (anaerobic). KS 80–200 mg COD/L. Below KS, treatment becomes diffusion-limited.
Stoichiometry: 1 g COD → 0.35 L CH₄ at STP. For 100 m³/d dairy effluent at COD 5,000 mg/L → 175 m³ CH₄/d → 1,700 kWh/d energy (62% capture, CHP 35% electrical efficiency).
Mesophilic (35–38°C) is the dairy default — matches CIP rinse temperatures. Thermophilic (50–55°C) doubles kinetic rate but is unstable to load shocks; rarely justified for dairy.
Anaerobic biology needs C:N:P of 350:5:1. Dairy is rich in C and low in N — supplement urea (45% N) or NH₄Cl. Aerobic: C:N:P 100:5:1, dose nutrients as needed for <20 mg/L NH₃ effluent.
VFA accumulation drops pH; supplement with NaHCO₃ 0.8–1.2 kg/kg COD or Na₂CO₃ 0.5–0.8 kg/kg COD. See dosing infrastructure on pH correction and shared design in oil-gas pH reference.
Aeration accounts for 50–70 % of a biological plant’s electrical Operating expenditure — designing it well is the single largest lifetime saving.
kLa, OTR, SOTR and the alpha-factor corrections that anchor every aerator sizing calculation.
Read MoreSurface, diffused, jet and venturi systems compared head-to-head.
Read MoreFine-bubble grids for activated-sludge, MBBR and aerobic biological treatment.
Read MoreValidate diffuser layout, DO field and dead zones before commissioning concrete or steel.
Read MoreOur experts can design a system tailored to your specific requirements.
Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.