DISINFECTION OF WATER USED IN THE POULTRY INDUSTRY BY COMBINED ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESSES

The awarded MPPRI Phase III effort will first construct and optimize the electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals primarily using laboratory equipment and then at a pilot scale (55 gallon equipment). Complimentary photochemical technology will also be scaled up and optimized for stability and singlet oxygen generation. This unique combination of oxidants will then be used to inactivate bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter during disinfection trials.Construct and Optimize Phase III EquipmentEstablish Protocols to Collect and Monitor Data on Equipment PerformanceInstall Phase III Equipment at Poultry Processor and Conduct Remote TrialsEvaluate Benefits from Wastewater Reuse and Antimicrobial Effect Related to the Fenton Reaction with Participation of Hydrogen Peroxide and Peracetic AcidQuantitative analyses on survival of pathogens will be performed under poultry processing conditions (55 gallon apparatus in San Francisco and again at the University of Arkansas) prior to processing trials at the Natural State Processing facility (Establishment #M51255+P51255) in Clinton, Arkansas. At the pilot processing plant at the University of Arkansas, processing approximately 500 chickens, four separate trials will be conducted on different days to evaluate the electro/photochemical treatment for disinfecting poultry processing wastewater to meet regulatory wastewater reuse standards. Real-time monitoring of the disinfected wastewater will be evaluated for chemical composition, residual hydrogen peroxide antimicrobial activity, and reduction in microbial load for fitness to reuse during poultry processing.Upon completion of these trials, the disinfection protocol will be validated at Natural State Processing, a Cypress Valley meat company, which is a commercial small/medium size poultry processing facility that processes over 3000 chickens per day. With operational and installation support from Hudson Environmental Services (HES; the cooperating engineering consultant), Phase III technology will be integrated on-site at the processing facility. Complementary efforts at the University of Arkansas will evaluate the conservation of water used for processing, reuse of the disinfected wastewater for sanitation of processing equipment/facility and the antimicrobial effect related to the Fenton reaction with participation of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid.At the close of this project, the associated rapid technological advancements will be assessed for potential commercialization to small and mid-size processors. This technology has potential use to treat all the water used in a given poultry processing facility while reducing occupational risks and ensuring the safety of poultry products derived from a mid-sized processing facility.