The investigations on waste streams from food manufacturing operations include the composition analysis of the waste streams. The outcomes from these studies are used to identify the potential for recovery of valuable components from waste streams and ensure maximum utilization of raw food materials. The application of membrane technologies to waste streams from tomato peeling operations has demonstrated the potential for these applications. These results illustrate that significant portions of the waste streams can be converted into product ingredients, while reclaiming the alkaline stream for reuse in the peeling operation. Previous studies have indicated that membrane technologies can be used to reduce BOD in waste streams from meat processing operations, and to recover potential product ingredients. Current projects focus on analysis of waste streams from manufacturing operations for dairy products. Although the waste streams are predominately from CIP operations, and the composition may not be acceptable for municipal waste treatment facilities. The application of membrane technologies to reduce the levels of unacceptable components in the waste stream has been demonstrated. The results indicate that membrane technologies will create a uniform composition waste stream independent of the composition of the feed stream. The potential for recycling of water for alternative uses of within processing operations seems evident. Outcomes from these investigations demonstrate that cleaning solutions could be reclaimed for reuse in CIP operations.
Current Research Group 2017
David Phinney and Dr. Dennis Heldman engaging all members of the laboratory as needed.