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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #171352

Title: CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF COMMERCIAL EGG WASH WATER

Author
item Northcutt, Julie
item Musgrove, Michael
item Jones, Deana

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/8/2004
Publication Date: 5/27/2005
Citation: Northcutt, J.K., Musgrove, M.T., Jones, D.R. 2005. Chemical analyses of commercial egg wash water. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 14:289-295.

Interpretive Summary: Wash water was collected from the first (W1) and second (W2) egg washers in series in three different commercial facilities (Plants X, Y and Z) and evaluated for temperature, pH, chlorine, soluble iron (ferrous), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Temperature of W1 and W2 ranged from 39.7°C to 44.1°C, and was generally consistent within Plants Y and Z. The pH of W1 and W2 varied from 10.0 to 11.4. Chlorine levels in wash water from Plant Y were significantly lower than the levels found in wash water from Plant X. Average values of soluble iron W1 and W2 ranged from 0.3 to 1.6 mg/L. Highest values for TDS and TSS occurred in W1 (8231 and 796 mg/L, respectively) as compared to W2 (3564 and 429 mg/L, respectively). TKN values for the wash water ranged from 81 to 302 mg/L, while COD values ranged from 1765 to 7300 mg/L. Data provided by the present study may be useful for identifying process deficiencies and minimizing organic and inorganic discharge loads in the waste stream.

Technical Abstract: Wash water was collected from the first (W1) and second (W2) egg washers in series in three different commercial facilities (Plants X, Y and Z) and evaluated for temperature, pH, chlorine, soluble iron (ferrous), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Temperature of W1 and W2 ranged from 39.7°C to 44.1°C, and was generally consistent within Plants Y and Z. The pH of W1 and W2 varied from 10.0 to 11.4. Chlorine levels in wash water from Plant Y were significantly lower than the levels found in wash water from Plant X. Average values of soluble iron W1 and W2 ranged from 0.3 to 1.6 mg/L. Highest values for TDS and TSS occurred in W1 (8231 and 796 mg/L, respectively) as compared to W2 (3564 and 429 mg/L, respectively). TKN values for the wash water ranged from 81 to 302 mg/L, while COD values ranged from 1765 to 7300 mg/L. Data provided by the present study may be useful for identifying process deficiencies and minimizing organic and inorganic discharge loads in the waste stream.