Admin

August 25, 2021
pressure-washing-demucking.png

“I also want to let you know how impressed I was with all of the JDI equipment. Every piece of equipment you provided was exceptionally well constructed. I am thoroughly impressed with everything!”

“Everything I have seen and heard so far indicates that they are very happy with the demuckers. They are even creeping into the building and washing trucks every chance they get as ‘trial runs’, even before the contractor has officially turned the project over to them.”  – Brian S.                                                                                                        

Issues: A very large mining operation was rehabbing its existing wash pad and adding a new one. As with most mining operations, most of their vehicles are very large and, therefore, can carry a large amount of solids into the wash bay. These solids get caked into every surface of the vehicles.

The engineers designing their new building contacted us to assist with washing and treatment equipment and maximize their wash bay design.

Solution:  We worked closely with their engineers to first design a very efficient solids handling and settling system consisting of trenches, sumps and a settling basin.

Once we completed the design, we recommended a number of washing systems to augment their pressure washing systems.  Due to the fact that they had a variety of vehicles and equipment, they decided on dual 20 GPM @ 1000 psi demucking systems, an undercarriage wash and monitor system for washing. One demucking will be used also be used to supply the undercarriage wash system.

For their application, we also developed a very effective cleaning system which included multiple compact water monitors placed strategically in the wash bay. Each monitor system will supply 100 gpm @ 100 psi. For easy movement, the wash monitors are attached to custom steel trollies that are mounted on steel rails inside the wash bay.  It can be easily customized with a wide range of nozzles selections.

Since they would be washing in different wash areas, we then coordinated with the electrical engineers to integrate all of the remote controls so the systems could be easily controlled by a small crew.

After washing, the water is treated so that it can be re-used by a complete self-contained system, capable of processing 100 gpm.  It is a Closed Loop Carbon Treatment System so there is zero fluid discharge to the facilities’ surroundings.  The system includes a clarifier oil water separator to remove oils, ozone to remove odors and multi-level filtration to remove of particles greater than 10 microns in size, substantially all emulsified oils, waxes and other volatile organic compounds.

All of the systems were easily upgraded to meet mine safety standards.


June 24, 2021
oil-water-separator-media.png

CF-CP Media (Cross-Flow/Corrugated Plate) Oil Water Separator Media
Introduced a new coalescing media with a corrugated, cross-flow design.

In many washing applications, huge volumes of solids are generated during the washing process. This is especially true in the construction and mining industries. Some of the heavier solids drop out of suspension quickly while others get entrained in the oily wastewater.

To insure our oil water separators do not clog in these high solids washing applications, we have developed a new corrugated plate coalescing media with a cross-flow design.

This new media design is a series of plates curved in a simple wave shape. As the water enters the separator, the flow is directed evenly across the surface of the media plates. The solids are captured and fall to the trough area of the corrugated plates below and the oils rise and stick to the trough area of the plates above.

The separator design maintains laminar flow throughout the media so the oil and solids do not remix. Separated oil flows upwards along the plates to the top of the separator where it can be removed and solids slide down the smooth corrugated plates to the hopper area where they can be easily removed.

  • Available in stainless steel, PVC, HPVC and polypropylene
  • Plate spacing of ½”, ¾” or 1 ¼” depending on application
  • Supplied in blocks for easy installation and removal

By coupling high efficiency separation with easy maintenance of this new media, you will ensure your oil water separator operates at peak performance in high solids applications.

Give us a call at 800-453- 8639 for more information!

CF-CP Media (Cross-Flow/Corrugated Plate) Oil Water Separator Media
Site View of our new coalescing media with a corrugated, cross-flow design.

June 15, 2021
efficiency-coalescing-media-design.jpg

In some applications, a higher efficiency media is required for environmental concerns. This media uses its high surface to volume ratio to provide extremely efficient oil/ water/ solids separation.

This media is constructed of oleophilic coalescing plates arranged in a cross-fluted configura­tion that provides between 31–69 square feet of oil coalesc­ing surface and 7–17 square feet of solids settling area per cubic foot of media. Each plate has a series of angled ribs, which are sloped from the bottom of the separa­tion chamber to the top at a 60° angle establishing a com­pound inclined surface.

  • Available in stainless steel, PVC, HPVC, polypropylene and stainless steel
  • Vertical slant rib plate spacing of ½”, ¾” or 1 ¼” with slant ribs alternating direction by 90°
  • Supplied in 1’ cubes with optional stainless steel frames for easy installation and removal

The separator and media design maintains a sinusoidal laminar flow throughout the media so the maximum amount of oil separation is achieved. Coalesced oil can flow unimpeded along the plate surfaces to the top of the separator where it is easily removed.

Give us a call at 800-453- 8639 for more information!


June 10, 2021
coalescing-media-large.png

Our standard media has vastly superior properties compared to the traditional media used in oil-water separators. These properties result in a more efficient and effective separation than that attained by traditional coalescing media.

  • A larger amount of surface area per cubic foot of media allows for greater oil drop coalescence. This media has 132 ft2/ft3 surface area for oil droplets to contact. Other typical coalescing media have about 48 ft2/ft3 to 68 ft2/ft3.
  • A more efficient first step separation reduces the need for a second polishing step. Our media removes 99.9% of oil droplets 20 microns in size and larger. This meets EPA Method 1664 Revision A and European Standard EN 858-1.
  • An open design eliminates trapping of particles and subsequent clogging of water channels. Oil water separators with this media require fewer maintenance shut-downs and separates oil and water faster.
  • Where higher-than-normal operating temperatures are required, our media outperforms its competitors. It works effectively in temperatures up to 212°F, versus a maximum temperature of about 120°F for competing media.

Give us a call at 800-453- 8639 for more information!


January 25, 2021
standard-oil-water-separator-1280x981.png

Even though the terms “Oil Interceptors” and “Oil Water Separators” are often used
interchangeably, they are very different systems.

Interceptors

Oil interceptors
Oil interceptors are designed for use in drain lines where oils, sediment and other liquids are intercepted.

Oil interceptors are typically used in low flow drain lines where small quantities of oils, sediment
and other liquid contaminants can be “intercepted”. These drain lines may come from variety of
facilities including covered parking garages, machine shops, service stations, and manufacturing
facilities.

Usually constructed of steel, fiberglass or plastic, interceptors are simple systems which include a
baffle plate, a solids bucket, and a separation area. As the water enters the interceptor, a baffle
plate reduces the flow and turbulence of the incoming water which helps to drop out some solids
and sludge.

A low flow rate and little turbulence permits the oils and other light density to slowly separate from
the water and rise to the top of the separation area. From there, relatively oil-free water is
discharged to the sewer.

Oil Water Separators

In comparison, Oil Water Separators have a far more sophisticated and efficient design. They are used in higher volume applications such as industrial wash operations, parking lots, re-fueling facilities and military installations where there is a potential for a much higher volume of water, oil, and contaminants.

The standard oil water separator is a steel or stainless steel tank containing an inlet compartment, baffles system, sludge chamber, separation chamber with coalescing media, and clean water outlet chamber.

The water enters the inlet compartment where the oil separation process begins. Here, baffles slow down the water flow which causes some of the solids to drop out of suspension. Next, parallel corrugated coalescing media in the separation chamber cause the oil droplets in the water to coalesce together, and increase in size until they separate from the water. This coalescing media, with an internal structure of interconnecting channels, can remove essentially all free and dispersed, non-emulsified oils to an effluent concentration of less than 5 ppm – which is acceptable for discharge to most municipal sewer systems.


January 21, 2021
sweeper-truck.jpeg

Problem: A facilities manager with a national maintenance company called looking for a corporate solution for their wash pads. They were expanding into several new markets and wanted to standardize their washing and water treatment systems.

Complications included the fact that most of their vehicles are sweeper trucks which generate a lot of solids. A typical wash yields 1/3 yard of solids. With each facility washing 10+ units per day, the amount of solids generated per month was substantial. Also, each facility has a slightly different layout. The good news was that most of them were connected to the municipal sewer.

Solution:  Since their solids handling issues needed to be addressed in addition to their washing and water treatment issues, we offered our engineering services to help them design a custom solution that they could standardize as much as possible for their wash bays and solids settling basins.

Once we completed the design, we recommended a number of washing and treatment options based on their desired washing processes.  Due to the fact that they had a variety of vehicles and equipment, they decided on both a demucking system and pressure washing system for washing. The demucking system was paired with a partial water reclaim system to recycle the water multiple times before the water was sent through our SPT-20 Clarifier Oil Water Separator System to process it for acceptable discharge to the sewer.

Finally, all of the equipment was installed in a TER-20 Transportable Equipment Room. This will save installation costs as well as allow the customer to move the equipment to a different location in the future. It also saves space inside of the customer’s building for other critical activities.

 


November 16, 2020
pumping-filtering-application.jpeg

For over 30 years, we have custom-engineered and built cleaning and pumping systems based on our customer’s individual specifications and site-specific needs.

By integrating a range of pumps, tanks, and control systems, custom systems can be built to meet specific design and output requirements for virtually any low, medium or high pressure cleaning or pumping application.

If you think you have a unique application, let us design a unique system for you.  Here are some of the interesting projects we have already tackled:

  • Electrically heated aircraft de-icing systems for use on regional jets
  • Air-driven and electric-driven pumping packages for high pressure injection and drill bit cooling in underground mining applications
  • Integrated, variable volume pumping packages for use with water soluble cutting oil on CNC machines
  • High volume, high pressure pumping packages for use on egg carton extrusion presses
  • High pressure, low volume pumping packages utilizing hot and cold de-ionized water for automated printed circuit board cleaning systems
  • High pressure systems for cleaning with heavy water in nuclear reactors
  • High pressure, high volume pumping packages for de-watering in sewage treatment plants
  • Automated pumping packages utilized in precooked shell fish cleaning systems
  • Electrically heated systems for high pressure cleaning with peanut and vegetable oils in food grade applications
Custom Engineered Cleaning & Pumping Systems
Custom Engineered Cleaning & Pumping Systems
Custom Engineered Cleaning & Pumping Systems
Custom Engineered Cleaning & Pumping Systems

October 28, 2020
winter-washing.jpg

During the winter as winter storms approach, many municipalities will spread salt directly on the roads.  Additionally, many have started to proactively apply what are called anti-icing fluids to prevent water from forming frost on the pavement surface. Whether anti-ice or deicing fluids, they all share the same basic chemistry, which is some form of salt.  The formulations include sodium chloride, calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. Additionally, the anti-icing fluids often include organics such as beet juice or cheese whey.

This presents a unique issue for winter washing operations, especially when closed loop wash water treatment systems are employed.  Closed loop wash water treatment systems are used in a variety of instances including no access to public sewer systems, unreasonable permitting issues associated with sending water to the sewer, and uneconomic costs to tie into a sewer system due to the distances.

When cars and trucks are driving on roads coated with either deicing or anti-icing fluids, the vehicle’s body will often become covered with a thin coating of salts.  During typical washing operations, the salt is flushed off.  If the wash bay is connected directly to a sewer, that salty water is diluted and simply sent to the city without issues.  However, if the wash system is connected to a closed loop system where that water is used over and over, the salt levels will continue to rise in the wash waters. This leads to the salt being reapplied to the vehicle, which show up as salt streaks when it is dried. But more important than the streaks, the salt residue enhances the corrosion process on the metal.

There is no simple or inexpensive way to remove salts from wash waters. One option is to haul off or send a portion of the salt contaminated water to a city sewer.  Another option is to use a thermal evaporator to continually evaporate a small amount of the water in the closed loop system’s volume so that fresh water can be added.  Periodically, the concentrated water and salt mixture in the evaporator would also have to be hauled off.  The evaporation process will reduce the total volume of waters to be hauled off, and hence, reduce the hauling cost. The third option is to use a membrane filtration system.  However, this method is expensive and not at all well suited to process waters contaminated with dirt, dust, cleaning chemistries, and oils.

The salt in the waters also has implications for the components of wash water treatment systems. Although our oil water separator system is constructed of 304 stainless steel, salts in the water may attack the welds in the unit and accelerate the corrosion process.  Additionally, salts will attack pump shafts and cause the seals to leak.  If this happens, the only solution is to change the pump.

To combat the effects of corrosion, we offer various levels of corrosion protection to our clients. For our oil water separators, we offer an internal coating which forms a tough barrier that protects the stainless steel from the salt.  For our other treatment systems, we can upgrade the pumps from carbon steel to a salt resistant 316 stainless steel, which will prevent any pitting of the shafts and pump internals.  We can also add a conductivity meter to continually monitor the amount of salts and other chemicals in the water and trigger an alarm when the levels rise too high.  Once this water is pumped out or discharged, fresh water is automatically added to the system, diluting the salts to a manageable level.


North Carolina

Headquarters

At WashBaySolutions.com, we have been specializing in high tech, custom-engineered solutions to complex washing and wastewater issues since 1991.
+ 1 800-453-8639

WashbaySolutions.com

sales@washbaysolutions.com

GET IN TOUCH

Follow Our Activity

Get the latest news, product updates and case studies all happening here: