AUTOMATION OF THE FLOTATION PROCESS IN THE TREATMENT OF MEAT PROCESSING PLANT WASTEWATER

Abstract

This article examines the automation of the industrial wastewater treatment process at a meat processing plant using flotation methods. The relevance of this study stems from the need to improve the efficiency of treatment facilities at food industry enterprises, whose wastewater is characterized by high levels of organic pollutants, fats, and suspended solids. The technological scheme for wastewater treatment is analyzed, which includes the stages of mechanical treatment, chemical treatment, flotation, and biological post-treatment. The paper examines in detail the operation of the main elements of the treatment facilities, specifically the sewage pumping station, drum screen, primary clarifier, reagent dosing system, aerobic bioreactors, and sludge treatment unit. An automatic process control system based on a programmable logic controller is proposed, which ensures the monitoring and regulation of key process parameters: wastewater level, flow rate, pH value, and the supply of reagents and air for aeration processes. A functional diagram of the automation system has been developed, and the operating algorithms for the main control loops have been described. To ensure ease of operation and monitoring of the process, a visualization system based on a control panel has been implemented, which allows for monitoring the status of equipment, remote control of actuators, as well as the recording and processing of alarm messages. The proposed automation system improves the efficiency of wastewater treatment, stabilizes the operating modes of the treatment facilities, reduces the consumption of reagents and energy resources, and enhances the reliability of the treatment system’s operation.