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Yeast Processor Decreases Phosphorous and Cooling Water Usage

Internship program helps company pursue greener yeast production, saving on water consumption and reducing phosphorous discharge.

Matthew Landauer, chemical engineering major at the University of Minnesota
Matthew Landauer, chemical engineering major at the University of Minnesota

To reduce its phosphorus consumption and output as well as cooling water usage, Minnesota Specialty Yeast (MSY)–a developer of specialty yeast products for the food and agriculture industries–sought an MnTAP intern to help evaluate options. MnTAP is an outreach program at the University of Minnesota that places highly qualified students in facilities for three months to focus on pollution prevention and energy efficiency solutions. Matthew Landauer, a chemical engineering student was assigned to the company.

MSY uses phosphoric acid as a macronutrient for the yeast, as well as for pH regulation of the company’s fermenters. The company also uses well water for cooling needs with additional process water supplemented from the City of Hutchinson. Approximately 1.2 million gallons of well water is then discharged per day to the Crow River.

The options Landauer suggested to MSY are:

Optimizing pH procedure by prioritizing sulfuric acid usage. A target pH and corresponding flow rate of sulfuric acid were determined for the microbial treatment of yeast cultures to replace phosphoric acid usage. By updating its pH operating procedures, MSY would prevent over half a ton of phosphorus from going to the sanitary sewer per year, netting over $6,000 in savings from reduced chemical and sewer charges annually.

Using a cooling tower to cool air compressors, replacing the single-pass well water stream with a recirculating loop. This would reduce the well water demand for this process by over 95%, equating to over 100 million gallons of well water saved as well as $4,700 annually.

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