2H Water Technologies Provides fast-growing Thatchers Cider with new Effluent Treatment Plant
Four generations of the Thatcher family have been producing cider at Myrtle Farm in Sandford, North Somerset for over 100 years. Today, Thatchers Cider employs more than 200 people and produces more than 70 million pints of cider per year from apples grown in its own orchards. Despite increased competition from international brewing giants, Thatchers Cider has consistently outperformed the market and grown its market share by offering customers an ‘interesting’ range of ciders that offer the “authentic apple cider experience”.
Apples Are Not The Only Fruit
Thatchers has also been involved in the production of another household-name fruit drink, Ribena, for nearly 20 years. Every July, all the blackcurrants grown by Ribena in the UK are pressed at Myrtle Farm within 24 hours of harvest.
Time To Upgrade
When increased demand prompted a 60% increase in production it became apparent that the current biological treatment system wasn’t capable of handling the increased volumes of high-strength effluent and meeting consent targets. Thatchers Cider began its search for a replacement effluent plant by talking to a number of consultant engineers who recommended a variety of different approaches including plastic media Trickling Filters.
Thatchers Cider contacted 2H Water Technologies, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of Trickling Filters, and requested a cost-effective and ‘simple’ solution which could be designed and installed by the summer of 2015. Within days of visiting the Myrtle Farm plant, we produced a detailed and fully costed proposal for a BIOdek Trickling Filter solution with an Equiflo Rotary Distributor.
Comprehensive, End-to-End Service
Having been awarded the contract, we provided Thatchers Cider with an end-to-end service in which process design and consultancy expertise were key components. We designed, manufactured and supplied BIOdek structured plastic media, pump systems and motorised drive for the Equiflo Trickling Filter Rotary Distributor and specified and sized tanks which were supplied by Kirks.
Our industry expertise and consultancy skills came into play in assisting the civil design engineer on planning construction of the Trickling Filter tower and working with Thatchers Cider’s in-house team on integrating the Trickling Filter solution with the plant’s chemical treatment systems.
Immediate Impact, Immediate Savings
Long-term partners, DSI, were sub-contracted to carry out the installation which was completed in summer 2015. The entire project – from initial design to the new effluent plant becoming operational – was completed in less than six months. Even better, as far as Thatchers Cider is concerned, the solution was delivered at a budget well below the company’s original expectations.
Our solution made an immediate and very positive impact, coping easily with the high-volume, high-strength effluent loads, even in July when blackcurrants further complicate the treatment process, and ensuring the plant meets increasingly stringent consents. The innovative Equiflo Trickling Filter Rotary Distributor has proven to be an all-round winner – practical, durable and effective – in its first operational installation.
The Benefits of a BIOdek trickling filter …
• Ease to manage: with only pumping the influent to a distribution system, 2H’s BIOdek Trickling Filters are easy to operate and manage
• Modular and Flexible: Because BIOdek modular plastic media comes in a range of different sizes and surface areas it allows Trickling Filters to be purpose-built to suit the client and the location
• Future proofing: the modular design allows for easy upgrade to meet increased load demands at any time
• Low Carbon Footprint: the production, transportation, installation and operation of lightweight, modular plastic media Trickling Filters generates low levels of carbon dioxide.