Anaerobic Treatment of Wool Scouring Effluent

This famous textile plant is located on the edge of Dartmoor which has been the site of a woolen mill for more than 190 years. The company processes 2,900 tonnes of yarn each year resulting in 420m3/d of industrial effluent which is discharged to sewer after pre-treatment.

The installation of an industrial anaerobic digester holds the promise of significantly reducing effluent charges as well as generating biogas for use as a boiler fuel. Staff from PIE and EnviroSolutions Limited operated a pilot scale digester to evaluate the potential for the process to reduce both COD and pesticide residues which enter the factory on the woollen fleeces, the raw material of the plant. The pilot digestion system comprised two 55m3 bioreactors, a biogas flare, control hut, de-gas tank, pumps and pipework, all situated in a bunded compound. The study was supported by a DTI's Demonstrator Award and achieved significant reduction in potential pollution levels.

Wool Scouring Process