Evaluation of an upgrade to CSR Victoria mill's activated sludge plant

The performance of Victoria Mill's activated sludge treatment plant deteriorated recently as crushing rate increased. Recommendations for improvements from a 1991 study were implemented in part for the 1993 crushing season, and these were evaluated. There was some improvement in plant performance, but this may have been masked by greater than normal flyash and sugar spills during the 1993 crushing season. Observations throughout the season indicated that the upgrade made the plant much more resistant to major overloads, and faster to recover. Further recommendations from the 1991 study and 1993 evaluation are being considered for implementation for the 1994 season. In addition to changes recommended in operating procedures for the plant, a sugar spill recovery system is to be installed in the process house for the 1994 crush, and upgrade of the flyash plant has been aimed at reducing the incidence of spills.