Resource recovery from the soy protein extraction process wastewater

Food processing wastes often contain organic waste with high energy potential that can be easily extracted for reuse in addition recovery of liquid stream might bring economic benefit to the industry, which would also help to maintain sustainable environment. The study assessed methane potential of a soy protein extraction process wastewater containing 4,087 mg/L TSS, 3,977 mg/L VSS, 8,330 mg/L tCOD, 4,430 mg/L sCOD and 2,562 mg/L tBOD5 employing dissolve air floatation (DAF) and anaerobic digestion. Biological methane potential (BMP) of the liquid stream (DAF effluent) and the solid (DAF sludge) was evaluated by anaerobic respirometer tests. Laboratory test results indicated that high methane potential of the soy protein wastewater would be an excellent source to recover energy and water.