CAGE PROCESSING in Animal Facilities - Felasa

with rinse aid, for example, can be reused without affecting the cleaning success. A final rinsing, however,should always be done with pure fresh, demineralised water or with fresh demineralised water mixed withrinse aid.EnergyA flawless operation needs a certain amount of energy. To keep this energy expenditure as low as possible, itis necessary to exploit all economically useful, state-of-the-art capabilities.Process chemicalsA constantly satisfying washing result requires a steady concentration of process chemicals during the life ofoperation. To ensure an exact dispensing of chemicals for the operator, manufacturers of washers and processchemicals offer a number of dispensing devices up to centrally operating dispensing stations. A chemicaloverdosing would entail preventable environmental pollution, an underdosing a poor washing or rinsing result.Process chemicals must be developed from resources that ensure a best possible saving of the environment.Depending on the characteristics of the soilings to be eliminated, detergent solutions can have an acid to alkalinepH range. Rinse aids usually have a mildly acid pH value.The most important ingredients of process chemicals are:AlkalisAlkalis contribute to the washing process by expanding and removing organic soil residues, like starch, protein,and fat. This leads to a high (alkaline) pH value of the detergent solution. In the internal drainage system ofa facility, however, alkalis are diluted by being mixed with other, in part acid waste water. Thus, the pH value ofthe washing waste water will be reduced to the limit value commonly defined in Sewage Law. If this is not thecase, a neutralising system should be built in.PhosphatesPhosphates bind the water’s hardness components and contribute to the washing process by their emulsifyingand dispersing effect. Beside inorganic nitrogen compounds, phosphates are among the most important nutrientsin water. Excessive phosphate supply will lead to an intensified bio production (overfertilisation). In sewageplants with a precipitation level (3 rd level) phosphates are widely eliminated.Phosphate substitutesPhosphate substitutes can replace real phosphates only here and there. Just as real phosphates, they areused for binding water hardness. However, the use of substitutes for this purpose cannot be fully recommendeddue to ecological objections, like their lack of biodegradable properties.Active chlorine carrierActive chlorine is used for reduction of organisms and oxidative decomposition of organic residues. As activechlorine, due to its property of generating AOX, is rated as pollutive, its use is more and more abandoned.SurfactantsSurfactants reduce the surface tension of the detergent solution or rinsing water and must be biodegradable,which means they are degraded in a sewage plant with help of microorganisms.AcidsInorganic or organic acids in acid detergents help remove mineral residues. Rinse aids bind the residual hardnessof rinsing water and prevent deposits of calcium. The use of acids leads to a low (acid) pH value of thedetergent solution. In the internal waste water system of a machine or facility, however, acids are diluted bybeing mixed with other waste water. Thus, the pH value of the washing waste water will be neutralised to thelimit value commonly defined in Sewage Law. If this is not the case, a neutralising system should be built in.Trading unitTrading units of process chemicals should be made of plastics (like PE or PP) that help save the environment asbest as possible. Before disposing used units, they must be completely emptied of residues. A frequent disposingof empty plastic units can be prevented by using large refillable units.Cage Processing in Animal Facilities · 4th issue · 2013 59