ARS | Publication request: Process water usage and water quality in poultry processing equipment

Submitted to: International Poultry Scientific Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 18, 2008
Publication Date: January 26, 2009
Citation: Holser, R.A., Hinton Jr, A. 2009. Process water usage and water quality in poultry processing equipment [abstract]. International Poultry Scientific Forum. 88(Suppl 1.):P216. p. 205-206.

Technical Abstract: The operation of poultry processing equipment was analyzed to determine the impact of water reduction strategies on process water quality. Mandates to reduce the consumption of process water in poultry processing facilities have created the need to critically examine water usage patterns and develop strategies to meet these new requirements. The case of a 1000 bird/hr facility was used to evaluate alternative process modifications such as the treatment of recycled process water and the installation of specialized bird washing equipment. These changes in process operations were simulated with the computer program SuperPro Designer v7.5 (Intelligen, Inc.). The analysis assumed an average broiler weight of 1 kg. The results indicated that the introduction of a water treatment system with a recycle loop could reduce annual water consumption by 20%. In this study the treatment system was based on ultraviolet light to reduce the microbial activity of process water prior to recycle. The economic savings of the water reduction was offset by the capital and operating costs associated with this process modification. These analyses were useful to compare alternative water management strategies and identify how process changes influenced process economics through utility costs. While process modifications involving recycle streams offer the opportunity to reduce water consumption there is a direct influence on process water quality. Any proposed water reduction strategy requires thorough analysis prior to implementation to avoid undesirable decreases in water quality. Key Words: Bacteria, Contamination, Reduction, Simulation, Water quality