Automated wheel wash systems help maintain good neighbour status
“Being a good neighbour is an important incentive in installing the right wheel wash system in a waste management application,” says Ted Harrison, president of Calgary-based Neptune Northern, which offers the new Neptune Series of automated wheel wash systems. “It’s all about satisfying one’s neighbours, as well as municipal officials, that one is not simply meeting requirements but exceeding them. Also, waste management facilities need to be aware of how effective wheel wash methods can keep their costs low,” he says. As to those operations who try to fabricate their own system, Harrison says, “They may have made do in the past because there hasn’t been a good solution for them until the advent of automated and closed-loop technology solutions, such as with the Neptune Series. We bring a different concept to the table, a system that is specifically designed for waste management facilities, and one that is extremely durable and user-friendly,” he says. “For the permanent installation, we mount the system in the ground with concrete on each side and up the sidewalls. In addition to delivering the highest level of rugged durability, the concrete construction allows for the highest level of water retention, thereby lowering the operating costs,” says Harrison. The Neptune Series of drive-through automated wheel wash systems features fully automated, closed-loop solids separation and water recycling – so that the water present at the site entrance does not create any additional issues. These wash systems offer one, two, or three-tire revolutions of cleaning as standard models, and custom units are available, with all models operating on the principle of high volume and low pressure. Importantly, this prevents overspray and the knocking of oil and grease from the truck chassis. Wash elements 42-inches wide flex the tire tread open to allow high water volume flow to flush tires clean, and a highly-focused spray is easily achieved with adjustable nozzle assemblies. These systems are ideal for permanent or temporary installations and are configured with the appropriate size water recycling and solid separation tank. A self-priming flocculent pump greatly increases the cleanliness of the recycled water, and solids can be removed with equipment that would typically be on-hand at a site. Pumps are installed using au-tocouplers that allow the operator to remove the pumps from the tank without the need to dewater, which is a significant savings in time and water during any maintenance or repair. Units are also constructed to withstand heavy truck traffic, and include concrete- or galvanized-steel-sidewall construction. For the permanent installation, concrete construction allows for the highest level of water retention, thereby lowering operating costs. All components and electronic control panels are manufactured in the US, with immediate parts availability through Calgary-based Neptune Northern.
