Journal of Molecular Pathology and Biochemistry
Open Access

Effluent Treatment

The effluent treatment plant treats all the MDF effluent generated within the production facility. Excess flow is stored prior to it being pumped into the treatment plant. The plant consists of multiple treatment stages combining physicochemical processes with membrane technology. Water entering the plant is initially dosed with a polyelectrolyte and flocculated. The flocculated suspension is then pumped into a plate and frame filter press from which a 45–50% dry solids cake is recovered. The filter cake can be burnt in the boiler or re-used in chipboard production. The filtrate passes through a dual media depth filter before entering a four-stage reverse osmosis plant. Permeate from the membrane plant is polished through an activated carbon bed before being reused on site for boiler feed. Concentrate from the membrane plant is returned to the resin make up tank and backflush/wash water from the sand filter and filter press are combined and returned to the head of the treatment works.