Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An apparatus and a process for using the apparatus for removing fat, bacteria, solids and other impurities from water used in food processing so that substantially all the water may be reused includes a tower. The water is passed through a coarse filter to remove large pieces and is then introduced into the tower near the top thereof and flows out the tower near the bottom thereof. A mixture of ozone and air is introduced at the bottom of the tower and bubbled up through the tower, counter to the flow of the water. The ozone and water mixture carries impurities, especially the fat, over the top of the tower as a foam. The foam then flows over the tower into a waste drain. The process and apparatus may be varied to include a second tower unit with an alternative intermediate filter unit between the first tower and second tower unit. In this embodiment, large pieces are removed in the coarse filter, fat is mostly removed in the first tower, remaining solid particles are removed in the intermediate filter and additional impurities, including protein, are removed in the second tower unit by a counter-current air and ozone mixture. After the second tower unit, the water is passed through a polish filter, ozones removing device and a chlorinator.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim