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May 21, 2019

Issue: A consulting engineering firm contacted us regarding a wash system for their client that ran numerous grocery distribution centers and warehouses on the West Coast. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food required their client to wash the interior of every truck entering their facility in order to keep foods safe from contamination during transportation.

They asked if we could help them design a hot water washing system that could handle multiple users at the same time since most of these distribution centers are very large and busy. At any point in time, multiple trucks are being unloaded and loaded as fast as possible.

Solution: In response to their request, we worked with the consulting engineers and designed a very effective sanitary washing package that would ensure compliance with the new rule by combining a high-pressure VFD-controlled pumping system with a high efficiency heating system.

For this application requiring 10 stations producing 4 GPM each simultaneously, we provided two 20 gpm @ 1700 psi pressure washing systems with VFDs and high efficiency heaters.

The VFD system offered substantial operational flexibility since the system will only utilize the power (speed of motor and pump) to match the output demands. We designed each 20 gpm system to service up to 5 users at 4 gpm each. If there is only one user on the system, however, the pump will provide only 5 gpm, and the motor/pump will only turn at 1/5” speed to meet that demand. The high efficiency heaters were integrated with the pumping systems to provide the correct temperature water to comply with the FSMA rule.

In addition to the pumping and heating systems, we also provided hoses, guns, reels and holders so their client had a complete sanitary washing package. The client liked the system so much, they ordered three more systems for other facilities!

http://www.washbaysolutions.com/vfd-controlled-multi-gun-high-pressure-cleaning-systems.php

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

by Admin

April 9, 2019

Problem: A car dealer moving into a new facility with a limited time lease. The property owner did not want them to cut concrete or substantially alter the property but the dealer needed to be able to wash dozens of cars per week onsite, contain the water and discharge it properly to the sewer.

Solution: For a complete wash system, we recommended installing a SPT-10 Clarifier Oil Water Separator System, a cold water pressure washer with a portable hose reel, and a portable wash containment pad. This allows them to wash as many cars as possible without any major modifications to the property. They will also be able to move the entire system to a new facility at the end of their lease. With their input, we helped them layout the system to maximize their space.

After installation of the pad, however, they noticed the concrete floor slope much slighter than originally thought and that the wash water was not moving off the pad well. This flat slope left his staff working in standing water and the SPT-10 not being able to process the wash water properly.

To improve this drainage issue, our staff developed a low cost under layer for the wash pad which created a slight slope for the water. We then installed this under layer and re-piped the in-take piping for the SPT-10 so the wash water flows freely. The general manager of the facility is very pleased with our systems and service.

by Admin

January 9, 2019

Business at collision repair centers and auto body shops is booming these days! Once the cars are repaired, most shops like to enhance their customer service by washing the cars before giving them
back to the customer.

Today, however, you can’t just wash the cars in the back lot and let the water flow off site due to environmental regulations. That’s why we developed a simple turn-key wash bay package including a stainless steel oil water separator and a portable wash pad that can be installed and up and running in a day!

Wash Pad Features:

• Designed to be surface-mounted – No excavation required
• Built to any size and configuration
• Fiberglass composite system -1/4” steel plate core completely encapsulated in fiberglass
• Superior chemical resistance
• Shipped in multiple panels and easily installed
• Projected useful life of 15-20 years
• Simply re-located and re-used

Our separators and wash pads come in a range of different sizes so we can design a package to match your washing operations, space restrictions and environmental requirements.

OIL WATER SEPARATOR FEATURES:

Stainless steel construction 99%
Removal of all free oil and settlable solids
Pump & control system
Low installation and maintenance costs
Solids storage capability

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:

Pumping Systems
Portable Equipment Rooms
Splash Walls
Canopy Covers
Rain Diverter Systems
Below ground separators

Give us a call for more product information – 800-453-8639

by Admin

November 2, 2018

Problem: A metals dealer and recycling company had a small wash outside area with a 900 gallon in-ground concrete sump adjacent to it. The sump captured both the wash water and storm water coming off the pad. Contaminants included compressor oil, motor oil, transmission fluid and gasoline.

The company called and asked us for suggestions on how to treat the water before discharging to the sewer. The nearest building to the sump was several hundred feet away and they had very limited area inside it to install an oil water separator.

Solution: This was a perfect application for our transportable equipment rooms. To treat the water, we installed an oil water separator with an electric diaphragm pump in a 20′ long container, our TER-20. Since the client was located in a northern climate, we added insulation and a heating system to the TER-20 to guard against freezing issues.

We placed the TER-20 on a pad adjacent to the in-ground sump and it took less than a day to hook up all of the electrical and plumbing lines to make the system operational.

Using the TER-20 saved the client building costs and provided additional storage space. It also allows them the flexibility to move the entire oil water separator system to a different facility when needed.

by Admin

September 5, 2018

A national railroad freight company called and requested a complete overhaul of their 40-year old locomotive wash. This 1970’s era locomotive wash system consisted of three different wash arches – a wetting arch to wet the locomotive, a second arch for soap application and washing, and a third arch with an acid wash for surface brightening.

The wash system was overhauled with to improve the following metrics:

Improve the wetting stage process by increasing both water volume and pressure as well as the nozzle design to apply the wetting water on the locomotive; and
Improve the soap application process by redesigning the nozzles’ flow patterns and volumes, increasing total flow to the nozzles, and finally adding additional pressure the process.

We started the overhaul process by removing the old soap and rinse pumps as well as the associated wiring and conduit. All of the existing control panels and associated conduit and wiring were also removed. Some equipment was retired in place to reduce demolition, re-piping and re-wiring costs. We then installed the following new equipment:

Locomotive wash bay control panel — Locomotive wash bay stainless steel control panel

Control Panel – A new stainless steel control panel was mounted, which replaced the existing four electrical panels. New conduit and heavier wire was also installed to bring it up to existing codes. The dual electric eyes were re-wired back into the new panel. New liquid level floats were installed in the storage tanks to provide both fluid level control, as well, as provide new a pump shut down safety, in the event of a low water condition in the water storage tanks.

Wetting Pump – A new 15 hp, cast iron pump was installed to supply water to the wetting arch. New, larger PVC piping as well as new heavier electrical wire was installed through new conduit to supply the proper amperage for the new higher horsepower pump.

Soap Pump – A new 15 HP stainless steel pump was installed for the new wash soap arch. New heavier wire was pulled through new conduit to supply the proper amperage needed for the new pump. The new pump was plumbed into the existing PVC piping in the pump house.

Wash Tunnel Nozzles – The existing nozzles could no longer be utilized due to flow and pressure differences from the new pumps. The existing nozzles were removed and replaced with a set of brass nozzles. A total of 42 new nozzles were installed in all three arches.

Rinse System Pump – The existing 100 hp motor and pump were removed and a new 25 hp motor and pump was set in place, aligned, and bolted to the exiting pump base.

Rinse System Control System – A new PLC-based control system housed in a stainless steel panel was installed and integrated with the existing control wires. New wiring was installed from the original motor controller system to the new control panel.

Rinse System Nozzles – The original nozzles, which were sized for the flow from the one hundred horsepower pump, were removed and new brass nozzles were installed.

The entire overhaul took less than a week to install and brought the whole wash system into the 21^st century! The client has been very happy with its performance.

by Admin

June 26, 2018

Robustly designed for range of industrial applications from oilfield pipe washing to large equipment washing, our (PWS – Series) portable parts washing stands can provide an economical alternative to a concrete wash pad.

FEATURES:

Designed to be surface-mounted
No excavation required
Placed directly on top of existing surface
Built to any size and configuration
Fiberglass composite system consisting of a 1/4” steel plate core completely encapsulated in fiberglass
12” high walls, various lengths & widths available
Easy to relocate by forklift without disassembly
Drain port for fluid removal or connection to plumbing
Simply maintained
Projected useful life of 15-20 years

ADVANTAGES:

Minimal site preparation, no excavation, fast, clean installation, immediate use, non-porous design, superior chemical resistance and portability are only some of the many our parts washing stand’s advantages.

Each parts washing stand is manufactured from heavy-duty fiberglass laminations completely encapsulating a steel core. The steel core makes it the most rugged and durable wash water containment system available today. This core keeps the spill containment system strong and flexible no matter what. In addition, each system includes (4) 1-1/2″ threaded coupling with 2 bronze ball valves for fluid drainage.

SUPPORT PEDESTALS

Inside are two removable pedestal frames to support the grates and raise equipment above the surface. Each system also has a 2″ divider wall running across the middle of the system to compartmentalize wash water or spills.

OPTONAL COVERS AND WALLS

To contain the wash water, the system is available with an optional 10′ high canopy mounted to the system. Each end is left open for access.

Fiberglass or poly walls are also available. They come in 4’, 6’ or 8’ heights and can be placed on 3 sides for efficient washing.

Interactive 3D Visual of our Portable Parts Washing Stands

Please click the image below to interact with the drawing. It may take a few seconds to load.

Give us a call for more product information – 800-453-8639

by Admin

March 8, 2018

New CF-CP Media (Cross-Flow/Corrugated Plate) Oil Water Separator Media — Image of our New CF-CP Media (Cross-Flow/Corrugated Plate)
Oil Water Separator Media

In many washing applications, solids are a main component of the washing process. Heavy solids such as rocks and muck are often washed off and fall onto the wash pad where they can be easily removed. Other, finer settleable and suspended solids, however, often become entrained in the oily wash wastewater. Separating these settleable or suspended solids from the oily wash water is critical so that they do not clog the separator media and interfere with the oil water separation process.

To insure our oil water separators work well in a high solids environment without clogging, we have introduced a new coalescing media with a corrugated, cross-flow design.

This new media design is both unique and simple. 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. This design maintains laminar flow throughout the media so the oil and solids do not remix. Since the plates are smooth, the solids slide down the corrugated plates to the hopper area where they can be easily removed. Separated oil flows upwards along the plates to the top of the separator where it can be 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, this new media will ensure your oil water separator
operates at peak performance for years to come.

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

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

by Admin

February 5, 2018

Oil Water Separator Forklift Solution — SPT Clarifier Oil Water Separator used for the Forklift Application Solution

Issue: A major forklift manufacturer had an old oil water separator which had failed. The source of the water was a combination of coolants, wash waters, mop waters, as well as a pressure washer water. Over a four-quarter period, the company’s routine certified quarterly wastewater testing results showed fat, oils, and grease levels of 350 to 1270 mg/l discharging to the sewer, which was well in excess of the local limit of 100 mg/l.

Solution: The following year, the company purchased a Wash Bay Solutions SPT-10 to replace the existing separator. Over the next four quarters, the FOG in the wastewater averaged 14.75 mg/l. The actual test results were: 21, 27, 0, and 11mg/l.

Industrial Manufacturing Plant Fat and Grease (mg/I) vs. Time Oil Water Separator replaced with Wash Bay Solutions SPT System

Due to the unique design of the SPT unit, it has more opportunity to separate oil and grease than the typical oil water separator. While the SPT is not designed to break an emulsion, due it’s multiple compartments, it can trap and hold back some emulsions. Since it introduction, the SPT has been shipped to many different countries throughout the world. Additionally, many Fortune 500 companies have standardized the unit in their facilities, plants, and processes.

by Admin

October 3, 2017

Washing the wings of an aircraft. — The aircraft washing process is often a combination of foaming, washing and rinsing with either hot or cold water.

Since one of the company’s owners has been a pilot and flying enthusiast for the past 40 years, we also have extensive experience with aircraft maintenance and cleaning applications. In addition to supplying washing systems to military bases all over the world, we have also provided systems to many aircraft maintenance companies stateside.

Manual Wash – The aircraft washing process is often a combination of foaming, washing and rinsing with either hot or cold water. Depending on the aircraft type and location, we can design a system based specifically on your application.

For the initial foaming, we offer a state-of-the art portable foamer with a chemical concentrate tank which can easily be moved to the desired location near the aircraft. The operator can select either hot or cold water from the remote switch at the reel. An injection system in the foamer blends the chemical concentrate from the tank into the water stream to create an accurately diluted solution. Compressed air is then injected into the solution to create a thick, clinging foam which is then projected through the discharge hose and foam nozzle on to large surfaces at distances up to 40-45 feet.

For washing and rinsing the aircraft, the operator can use pressure washer hose reel and gun assemblies normally located on both sides of the aircraft and select either hot or cold water. These pressure washing units typically provide approximately 8-10 gpm of water at 175-200 psi from each reel. They can be used separately or at the same time, and use either hot or cold water independently of the other. The flow rate and pressure can also be varied, based on your application.

The hose reel systems normally include remote control capabilities, and the system can be programmed to permit only foaming, washing or rinsing to occur at any one time so the maximum flow rate matches the water treatment system’s capacity.

Automated Wash – We also have engineered turn-key automated aircraft wash systems designed to efficiently wash a wide range of aircraft. The systems can be programmed with a number of potential aircraft wash profiles which can be selected by the pilot or ground personnel using either a PLC with PanelView screen or remote control. As the aircraft approaches the wash area, an infrared sensor system automatically starts the selected wash program.

The wash system typically consists of a low pressure undercarriage wash, a fully-automated side wash system for the fuselage and wings, automated actuator valves for flow direction and control, a heavy-duty supply pump system, and water storage tanks. All components are either stainless steel or non-ferrous for corrosion resistance. The systems can be configured to wash with either recycled water or fresh water, and often incorporate rainwater control capability as well.

Water Treatment – Wash Bay Solutions designs closed-loop reclaim systems to capture, treat, store, and deliver clean recycled water to the pressure washers. If sewer connections are available, sewer discharge systems treat the processed water before it is discharged to the sewer.

Total systems can incorporate ozone disinfection systems, fully automated valves for filter backwashing, PLC control of all filter functions, and all non-ferrous components and hardware.

The recycling system can include a fresh water bypass manifold system that enables an operator to manually switch the entire system over to fresh water if necessary or desired. The recycling system will also automatically replenish itself to maintain a minimum volume of water to make up for any losses to the system from evaporation or carry-off.

Consulting – We are also available to do consulting work with aircraft washing facilities to improve their washing, painting and wastewater processing procedures.

by Admin

August 28, 2017

Case Study – University Test Tank

Problem: A technical university had a marine engine testing facility with multiple test tanks in interior and exterior rooms. The discharge from the engines was causing the water to get dirty so that the university was spending between $15-20,000 per quarter hauling water!

The interior rooms had sets of test tanks that could be manifolded together to be treated as one. The outside rooms did not lend themselves easily to manifolding the tanks together. They called us to develop a solution that would allow them to either treat and discharge the water to the sewer or recycle the water with no discharge.

Solution: After analyzing available options, we engineered and installed a single water recycling system adjacent to the building that was capable of receiving the water from all of the tanks at different times, removing the oils from the water, disinfecting the water, and returning the water to the respective tank system.

The tank manifold systems in the interior rooms are individually piped to the recycling system with a supply and return line. These attach to a dedicated automated valve system that is programmed to periodically select a specific tank system, draw out the water through the system and return it after treatment to that tank system. The PLC insures this sequence occur on a pre-determined schedule.

Piping drops were installed in the outside rooms so that a technician can manually place an oil skimmer assembly with an integrated suction/discharge hose assembly into any tank and send that water through the recycling system. A remote control panel allows the technician to start/stop the recycling system and to select a time period for the recycling to occur. Processed water passing through the recycle system is free of particles greater than 10 microns in size, substantially all emulsified oils, waxes and other volatile organic compounds.

The engineers at the university tell us that they are saving money and the system constantly “exceeds expectations”!

Newer Posts

Older Posts

Grocery Distribution Center Sanitary Wash System Case Study

Case Study – Portable Wash Pad for Car Dealer

Collision Repair Centers Complete Wash Bay Packages

Wash Pad Features:

OIL WATER SEPARATOR FEATURES:

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:

Case Study – Transportable Equipment Room Package

Locomotive Wash Overhaul Case Study

Portable Parts Washing Stands

Interactive 3D Visual of our Portable Parts Washing Stands

New CF-CP Media (Cross-Flow/Corrugated Plate) Oil Water Separator Media

SPT Clarifier Oil Water Separator Forklift Application

Industrial Manufacturing Plant Fat and Grease (mg/I) vs. Time Oil Water Separator replaced with Wash Bay Solutions SPT System

Aircraft Washing Systems

Marine Engine Testing Facility Case Study

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