TREATMENT OF CONCENTRATED PIMIENTO WASTES WITH POLYMERIC FLOCCULATING AGENTS

Abstract

Chemical methods of treatment were investigated as a means to reduce the waste load of concentrated unit effluents from pimiento canning. Polymeric flocculating agents and inorganic salts were applied to unit effluents. Optimum laboratory conditions for suspended solids removal were then tested on a pilot plant scale. Turbidity of effluents from peel removal, core removal, and the total canning operation composite were reduced by 95, 93, and 74%, respectively. Corresponding values for suspended solids reduction were 95, 82, and 86%. Segregation and separate treatment of the peel removal effluent which contains 69% of the total load of suspended solids in only 18% of the waste water flow is recommended.