Objectives:

1. To characterize the waste load being produced by shell egg processing plants.

2 To explore ways to reduce the waste load in shell egg processing plants.

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Accomplishments:

1. Determined that wash water pH greater than 10 was necessary to control microbial load in water being discharged from the plant as well as potential contamination of shell egg from recirculating wash water.

2. Used BOD or COD levels to calculated product loss in the washer.

3. While previous data from the literature were reported on a mg/liter basis, data from this study support the use of mg/dozen as a unit of measure.

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Significance:

It has been almost 20 years since research on waste water from shell egg processing plants was last conducted. Several changes have occurred in shell egg processing during this time. This study reevaluated the waste loads, pH, water temperature and microbiological load from waste water at a pilot processing plant and three commercial shell egg processing plants in North Carolina. While conducting the study, the researchers also found those processors using a dual tank wash system have no research findings to support management of pH, temperature and flow to manage microbial growth or other contamination.

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Future Plans:

1. Compare commercial detergents to determined effectiveness in controlling microorganisms and BOD/COD levels being discharged.

2. Explore ways to effectively recycle egg wash water.

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