[Organisation, installations and operation of a carcass rendering plant exemplified by the Regau by-products plant (author's transl)].

Abstract

In Upper Austria, carcasses, offals and all kinds of animal material are collected in hygienically safe manner and taken to the Regau by-products plant. This plant was built in the light of the latest advances to keep environmental pollution at a minimum and is divided in a clean and unclean area. The raw material, including uncut carcasses, is dumped into troughs and then transported by a screw conveyor to the crusher. By steam pressure the material is pushed into a receptacle called "the gun" and from there it is conveyed to the extractor, which functions as sterilizer (30 min 134 degrees C), extractor and drier. The wet extraction procedure using perchloroethylene produces hygienically unobjectionable animal meal and fat. The method of deodorization, which was described in full detail, has made it possible to create not only optimum working conditions in the plant itself but also acceptable living conditions in the residential areas at a distance of some 400 m. Extensive automation of all processes results in optimum hygienic working conditions and also permits a reduction of the staff, in contrast to the conditions prevailing in the former knackeries.