Cannery Waste Biological Sludge Disposal as Cattle Feed

• Published in: Journal - Water Pollution Control Federation Vol. 48; no. 12; pp. 2778 - 2790
• Main Authors: Esvelt, Larry A., Hart, Herbert H., Heinemann, Wilton W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Water Pollution Control Federation 01-12-1976
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animals; Body Weight; Cattle; Centrifugation; Cost estimates; Dewatering; Diet; Economics; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Feed rations; Hydraulics; Industry; Meat; Metals - analysis; Rationing; Sewage; Sludge; Solid wastes; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastewater treatment; Water rationing
• ISSN: 0043-1303

The feasibility of sludge disposal from a fruit processing waste activated sludge treatment system by dewatering and using the dewatered biological sludge solids as cattle feed was evaluated. Dewatering of the biological sludge using pilot scale and prototype scale basket centrifuges resulted in consistently dewatering to 7.5 to 9 percent dry solids. Digestibility and metabolizability of rations containing 2.3 percent and 4.5 percent biological solids appeared equal to a control ration but a ration containing 9.2 percent biological solids appeared lower. Twenty-four uniform yearling steers were divided into four lots of six each and finish fed a control ration and rations containing 2.3 percent, 4.6 percent, and 8.9 percent sludge solids on a dry matter basis for 165 days. They did not show any adverse effects of the sludge incorporation into their rations. It appeared that a low quantity of sludge (2.3 percent dry solids) actually enhanced the weight gain performance and carcass quality of these animals. The calculated value of the biological solids incorporated into the rations was about $0.09 per kg dry solids.