Woodlands Dairy, a local fresh milk processor, produces and packages high-quality dairy products. Committed to sustainability, the company aims to minimise its environmental impact by enhancing energy efficiency, optimising waste management, and reducing emissions and resource consumption.

Through their Environmental Management System (EMS), Woodlands Dairy identified the recycling of their medium to high-strength wastewater as a priority to improve their environmental impact. The most significant challenges identified included liquid effluent management, waste management and recycling, as well as water consumption.

The solution

Milk is rich in proteins and numerous essential nutrients. Therefore, four skids, each equipped with 26 Pentair® X-Flow TMCompact33V Helix Membrane Elements were installed to concentrate or remove these proteins and nutrients

The membranes support the separation of biological sludge where a high-quality effluent is required. The pore size of the membranes deliver a permeate free of suspended solids.

Pentair’s Helix technology is purposefully designed to meet the challenges of purifying heavily fouled wastewater, specifically designed to handle high levels of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the wastewater stream.

The results

Pentair X-Flow skids helped Woodlands Dairy achieve its sustainability initiatives by complying with legislation and reducing the plant’s environmental impact.

Over 60% of the dairy wastewater is now recycled, significantly reducing effluent discharge. More importantly, in an arid climate with dwindling water reserves, this results in a 60% decrease in the demand for fresh water.

The incoming feed stream with about 20 000 ppm of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is turned into a high-quality effluent with less than 100 ppm.

Biogas is a welcome bonus in this energy-intensive operation to heat the on-site boilers. With the Pentair X-Flow Skids, the facility has transformed into a Resource Recovery Plant (RRP). Previously, all effluent flowed into a combined effluent sump.

The new system processes 1.5 Mℓ/day with plans to upgrade to 2 Mℓ/day.

Benefits of Pentair Helix Technology

• Prevents fouling in high-solids ultrafiltration (UF).
• Designed for wastewater treatment where there is high BOD.
• Increases flow and saves energy by introducing turbulence at the membrane wall.
• Reduces the need to operate at high cross-flow velocities, which saves energy.

Roch Distributors – proud distributors of Pentair X-Flow membranes

Roch fuses global technology with a pan-African distribution network for fast, reliable results.

They provide customers with access to leading global innovations and technical support, and offer a logistics service, which is cost-effective, reliable and in accordance with all required safety standards and regulations.

Their technical specialists can advise on tailor made solutions including ultrapure water, dissolved salts for membrane applications, removal of high solids and silica, and wastewater treatment.