SNAP

SNAP is the pioneer in manufacturing food and pharma grade alginates in the country. Now it caters the need of world standard alginates to various industries such as Food, Pharma, Textile, Rubber, Welding Electrodes, Ceramic Glazing, Dental Impression Molds etc. Its manufacturing activities are aligned to the requirement of International standard ISO:for Quality Management System and ISO 14001-2004 for its Environment Management System. Its Food grade alginates are as per International Standards E 400 E40x and the Pharma grade products comply with the requirements of I.P., B.P. and U.S.P., requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS:
Seaweeds of alginophytes species contain naturally occurring alginates. The weeds are treated with mild acid for removal of unwanted salts in the weeds, it is then treated with alkali for conversion of alginic acid into Sodium Alginate. The digested pulp is then diluted and settled and sodium alginate recovered. The purified alginic acid is then converted into the desired salts and then dried. The dried salts of alginates are pulverized and then packed.

Description Of The Process Discharges:
SNAP generates two categories of discharges (waste) from its process.
1. Solid Discharge: The remains of Sea Weeds after the extraction of alginates.
2. Liquid Discharge: The wash water of the sea weeds which is acidic and essentially contains organic TDS, sea salts and sea sand.

LIQUID DISCHARGE FROM THE PROCESSS:
By developing suitable water recycle techniques the generation of liquid discharge is reduced to below 30 KLD from 750 KLD.
Description Of The Waste:
The liquid discharge is acidic in nature with a pH of about 1.8, at a normality of about 0.08.N. It contains fine sea sand, Inorganic and organic TDS together at about 40,000 ppm .
Conventional Treatment:
The acidic water was neutralized with caustic soda, settled to remove the TSS and evaporated on solar evaporation ponds. The dried solids were recovered from the solar evaporation pond, collected and stored in a secured land fill.
Improved Biological Method: With the research support from Dr V Sivasubramanian and his team Phycoremediation technique was employed for the treatment of liquid waste.
Description Of The Plant:
* RCC tank having cross section area of 1200 sq m, 1 metre height and volume of 1200 KL.
* The tank is provided with a AC sheet slopped roof so that the rain water does not enter the tank.
* The AC sheet is painted with black bitumen to improve the absorption of Solar radiation.
* Masonry slopped floor of about 3000 sq m area painted with black bitumen is provided adjacent to the tank such that the effluent water from the tank may be drained over the slopped floor by gravity. * The tank is charged with blue green alga- Chroococcus turgidus which is a naturally occurring algae.
Operations:
* The acidic effluent water from the plant is discharged in to the tank. The algae utilize the nutrients such as organic TDS and minerals, produce alkalinity and neutralize the water.
* The effluent water from the tank is discharged over the drying platform such that the water runs evenly as a thin film over the entire 3000 sq m.
* The water is collected at the end of the charging platform and pumped over the AC sheet roof of the tank where it is distributed evenly thro’ suitable header such that the water is again flowing over the black painted AC sheet evenly as a thin layer, collected at the lowest end in a trough and put back in to the tank.
* During rainy time the circulation of the effluent water will be stopped, all the water will be pumped into the tank.
* The circulation of the effluent water as a thin layer over the black coated surface increases the evaporation and the aeration of water enhances the Phycoremediation activity of the algae. The gentle distribution of water thro’ properly designed headers prevent the drifting of effluent water to the surroundings.
* This commercial scale plant is designed based on the study of the data obtained from Pilot plant, which was carried out over a period of about 3 years, by Dr V Sivasubramanian, PERC Chennai

The Benefits

The Algae research team from PERC headed by Dr V Sivasubramanian delivered algal  technology to SNAP alginates for cleaning up their industrial effluent discharge. The results were dramatic both financially and also qualitatively. This technology goes far in the fulfillment of corporate responsibility to the society and environment.

Operational And Financial Comparison

Phycoremediation is a sophisticated and multi faceted effluent treatment process. And each case of application will address a different set of operational imperatives. The summary below depicts the business case for this technology in the case of this particular application.

* These figures are estimates from the research team's experience.
The Phycoremediation plant currently deployed at SNAP Alginates is operating stably from september 2006.

Continued Research:

Dr V Sivasubramanian and his team is woking on further improvement of the technology to suit the needs of various types of effluents.

Front View Of Phyco Remediation Plant: Side View Of The Phyco Remediation Tank

SNAP remediation tank showing tons of algae sedimented at the bottom in three years