Method of clarification of waste water for production of animal feeds

A method for removing solids from a stream of food processing waste water containing fatty acids and peroxide compounds from a chicken processing plant without the use of a metal salt such that said solids may be subsequently rendered as an animal food stuff, comprising the steps of:

• (a) introducing a pH adjusting compound to said stream of waste water to maintain the pH thereof at about 3.5 to 9.0;
• (b) creating an activated bentonite slurry by introducing bentonite into a first aqueous stream at ratios of about 1% to 10% by weight wherein said bentonite and stream undergo mixing for a sufficient period to activate said slurry;
• (c) introducing said bentonite slurry into said stream of waste water at rates ranging from about 200 to 600 milligrams of bentonite per liter of waste water;
• (d) introducing an anionic polymer into a second aqueous stream at ratios of about 0.01% to 5.0% by weight anionic polymer to water;
• (e) mixing said second aqueous stream with said stream of waste water, thus initiating flocculation of said bentonite, anionic polymer, and solids;
• (f) transferring said stream of waste water to a flotation vessel and forming a float blanket containing flocculate bentonite, anionic polymer, and solids and clarified waste water;
• (g) removing said float blanket from said clarified waste water for subsequent rendering into an animal food product;
• and,
• (h) discharging said clarified waste water from said vessel.