Teys Australia’s processing plant in Tamworth has been trialling AMPC’s water recycling unit for the past 12 months as part of AMPC’s research and development into advanced water recycling for non-potable uses.
AMPC’s wastewater recycling trials which began in early 2022 are due to wrap up later this year. Trials have occurred across red meat processing plants in Australia where three water recycling units have travelled to six red meat processing plants.
Plant trials have involved treating several unique raw water streams through the unit for different uses. Teys trialled recycled water for use within a plant cooling asset. In order to do so, the trial went through all the relevant government approvals.
AMPC Program Manager Matt Deegan said, “Teys demonstrated great team work in their approach to meeting a rigorous compliance framework. Part of compliance included the development of a detailed hazard identification and management plan for the trial design, which was informed by several months of water recycling and lab testing.
“This is the first time that a fit-for-purpose use of non-potable recycled water has been utilised in a red meat processing plant condenser. The wastewater was treated through the recycling unit to a standard fit for use in a condenser unit, and the process has proved to be working as expected.”
The result is a first for the red meat processing industry, with previous work resulting in recycled non-potable water being used in lairage, cattle wash, and cattle drinking water.
Matt said, “This is a great achievement and shows Teys successfully adopting AMPC research and development. This case builds confidence across the red meat processing industry and encourages further scoping of other uses.”
Teys will keep the water recycling unit until September this year to trial other innovation ideas.
Teys Group Sustainability Manager, Jacob Welch said, “Teys is looking forward to exploring the use of recycled water within the plant for non-food related use, from amenities flush water through to generating steam. We believe that advanced water recycling will significantly contribute to the sustainability of red meat processing and we look forward to further collaboration with industry partners to explore these opportunities further.”
Matt said, “Prior to this project there hasn’t been industry exploration into the possibilities of non-potable water recycling using a portable pilot unit. While many plants have ultra-filtration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) for treating river and bore water, the learnings from treating wastewater sources have helped deliver better design and management in areas such as clarification, and micro-filtration, prior to UR / RO.”
“Other benefits from this project include more responsible water management and using less potable water.”
The red meat processing industry will soon be provided with a sectoral non-potable water recycling guidebook. The guidebook will include tools to help operators determine when and where to use recycled water in their plants, including how much energy and water savings can be made.
For more information contact matthew.deegan@ampc.com.au