Water conservation and effluent reduction in the cassava starch extraction industries using hydrocyclone technology
2000
Trim, D.S. | Marder, R.C.(University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime (United Kingdom). Natural Resources Institute)
Field trials incorporating a hydrocyclone unit into the cassava starch extraction process were carried out in starch and sago factories in Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India. Up to 90 percent of the original starch in aqueous suspension (milk) produced during normal extraction, was recovered in 40 percent of the original volume of water, representing a concentration of starch milk from around 4-7 percent to 10-15 percent, and allowing up to 60 percent of the original volume of water to be recycled in the process. Although the recycled water contained around 1 percent starch, there was no loss in the extraction or overall recovery of starch under the new processing regime. Analysis of extracted and settled starch from the modified process showed that there was no effect on viscosity and brightness, which are the quality indicators commonly used in the industry. Recycling of the process water led to up to 50 percent overall reduction in the volume of generated effluent. Analysis of the effluent discharged from the settling tanks indicated no change in the levels of pollutants as measured by Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), settled and dissolved solids. Thus, the modified process resulted in an overall reduction of the pollution load. Field trials to date have indicated that hydrocyclones can be recycling and effluent is reduced, whilst maintaining starch production and quality levels.
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