Application - Separating Oil, Oil-wetted Solids and Water in the Automotive Industry

Objective:
To separate oil and oil-wetted solids from parts wash water, and to allow for either the reuse of the processed water, or its safe discharge to the sewer. To provide a low maintenance, cost effective system which would enable Automotive Recyclers to comply with the established Environmental Code of Practice.

Background: In the process of cleaning parts for reuse, wastewater is created which contains high concentrations of oil, oil wetted solids and grease, making compliance with local water regulations very difficult. The discharge of this wastewater to sewer has the potential to cause significant environmental harm through the release of contaminants to the environment, as well businesses may be subject to penalties and charges for violations.

The Solution:
Muddy River Technologies has developed an innovative, 'plug and play' parts washing wastewater treatment system to meet the specific needs of Automotive Recyclers. Its flexible design can accommodate your businesses' particular circumstances allowing for either an open, or closed loop setup. The reuse of parts wash water minimizes the amount of water used and discharged, in addition to reducing detergent usage. Our system represents a cost-efficient alternative that is easy to maintain, is portable and has a small footprint. The Muddy River system comprises a number of components with the basis being our Muddy River *Non-Emulsifying Liquid Separator (NELS). The NELS was designed to separate and recover non-emulsified oil and oil-wetted suspended solids from wastewater. It is a compact, usually cylindrical unit which uses gravity as the primary separating mechanism, and it has the capacity to treat a flow of up to 10,000 litres per hour. It was engineered to excel over traditional separators which clog and are difficult to clean. The NELS above ground design makes installation less intrusive and more cost effective than large in-ground grease traps and interceptors.

1: Cylindrical Oil Water Separator (Stainless Steel - optional)
2: Waste Oil Tank
3: Clean Water Return Pump
4: Pressure Washer Charge Pump
5: Reuse Tank
6: Ozone Generator for Odour Reduction (optional)

System Description:
The Muddy River System is skid-mounted and compact. Within existing installations, it is located next to the sump. Our Floating Skimmer pulls free oil, water and light suspended solids from the sump and allows it to flow into into the NELS. The NELS then separates the free oil and suspended solids from the water, with the recovered oil going to a tank for easy disposal and the effluent water going to the Reuse Tank. Accumulated heavy solids are periodically drained from the bottom of the NELS. The effluent water going to the Reuse Tank is used to feed the Pressure Washer Charge Pump with any excess being discharged back to the sump. As an option, recycled water can be aerated or ozonated to eliminate odours where necessary.

About Muddy River:
Muddy River Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of advanced separation technologies for a wide range of industries. Our staff has an extensive amount of experience within such fields as Petro-Chemical, Food and Fish Processing, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Light industry, as well as the use of Ozone in disinfecting effluent streams. Our facilities include a well equipped laboratory for bench trials and pilot units for on-site testing. Please contact us for additional information or visit our website.

*The name: Non-Emulsifying Liquid Separator (NELS) - Courtesy, Rob Stephenson Ph.D.  Chief Technical Officer, PARADIGM ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

tag this article!