Controls

One of the primary functions of AD is to reduce the number of pathogens to acceptable levels. This is achieved by the combination of a lack of oxygen, bacterial action and temperature control. In accordance with the Animal By-Products Order, the system has many safety aspects built in eliminating the risk of the release of harmful amounts of pathogens. The process flow is as follows:

• Delivery in enclosed containers or tankers.
• Unloading in a housed bay with a shutter door followed by exit through a disinfectant wheel washer
• Maceration then pumped straight into a preparation storage tank. From this point the material will be entirely enclosed in the system until it has been fully treated and hygienised.
• Digestion at at least 35°C for a minimum guaranteed retention time of 6 hours and a hydraulic retention time of 20 days
• Pasteurisation at 70°C for 1 hour
• Storage in a covered storage tank or enclosed bunker
• Rigorous testing of treated material to ensure it has been treated effectively and meets relevant regulatory criteria of pathogen reduction
• disposal to land or landfill, depending on contamination of original feed material.