IDM | Technology/IT
The Daireuse Process
Biological treatment of evaporator condensates (Cow Water)
in combination with membrane technologies
Author: Heribert Möslang, CTO, Veolia Water Technologies Deutschland GmbH, www.veoliawatertechnologies.de,
contact: heribert.moeslang@veolia.com
Within the industry in general the dairies
belong to the largest consumers
of potable water, therefore the
saving of water and water reuse
approaches are of specific applicability for
these factories. This paper describes an innovative
process for upgrading of evaporator
condensate from concentration of milk
or whey to potable water quality*, known as
the "Daireuse" process.
14 · 9 2017 | international-dairy.com
Veolia implemented such a Daireuse process
in a large dairy in Belgium:
This dairy upgrades up to 1,500 m³/d of
evaporator condensate from concentration of
milk to potable water quality for replacement of
drinking water in various applications in the dairy
including CIP cycles and final rinses. The dissolved
organic components of the condensates for example
are minimized by a combination of biological
and membrane processes to a TOC value of
0.2 mg/l only. The reverse osmosis process itself
cannot nearly achieve such a low TOC value.
Water used for cleaning of production plants
in German dairies is subject to the German Drinking
Water Regulation (Trinkwasserverordnung
20011). The local health authorities however may
permit exceptions (changes in composition) for
food processing companies if they are convinced
that the quality of the water used does not negatively
affect the healthiness of the final product.
The quality of the treated water from the Belgian
dairy has been analyzed and assessed by the
IWW (Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasser).
The IWW concluded2 that the RO permeate is of
a quality which does not raise any concern that
the usage of this water could adversely affect
the quality of the final food product. The process
and operation is appropriate and sustainably save.
The permissibility of a deviation according to §18
German drinking water regulation is therefore
confirmed without any restrictions.
Treatment of Evaporator
Condensate in a large
Dairy in Belgium
1 Background Info
This dairy produces various milk products including
powders. In 2012 they had to extend
their processing capacity. However the availability
of additional drinking water was limited.
(photo: Veolia)
* except from the contents of minerals (pH and solubility for calcite) all other limits of the German drinking water regulation are safely met.