Pressure diecastings and precision machining
Pressure diecastings and precision machining firm installed a centrifugal effluent treatment plant and has eliminated all effluent discharge to drains.Pressure diecastings and precision machining company, RD Castings, reported that it had eliminated all discharge of effluent material to drain RD Castings has had installed a Wheelabrator Group centrifugal effluent treatment plant (ZM03-FL)
The Wheelabrator Group effluent treatment plant was supplied as a fully recirculating system, which automatically tops up water and liquid compound losses incurred by evaporation.
During normal production use, the vibratory finishing machines completely recycle the water and liquid compound.
The ¡¯up time¡¯ of this closed loop system is dependant upon the operational conditions, which are created by the type and condition of the components being processed and the type of processing media being used.
Upon completion of the ¡¯up time¡¯ (weeks or months) the solution is flocculated and passed through the centrifuge a final time before discharging to drain, ensuring maximum cleanliness of the effluent.
R D Castings have so far successfully completed six months ¡¯up time¡¯.
RD Castings has always strictly adhered to local water authority limits on the release of effluent material, but was keen to further improve its processes.
Wheelabrator Group was the obvious choice, said technical director at RD Castings, Mike Pateman, due to its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of surface preparation solutions and dedication to providing quality products and services.
* Effluent restrictions - Pateman said: "Our local water authority contacted us back in 2006 to advise of the new criteria being implemented to minimise levels of effluent material released into the foul sewer.
New levels were enforced in December 2007, with a further 50% reduction in limits to follow in December 2009".
Pateman said: "At that time we were already complying with the levels enforced in December 2007, but decided to take a proactive approach and reduce our effluent levels further in order to comply with the December 2009 limits as soon as possible".
He continued: "We contacted Wheelabrator Group for advice on how to improve effluent treatment for our existing vibratory finishing cell as soon as we became aware of the new criteria".
Wheelabrator Group carried out a demonstration of the ZM03-FL centrifugal effluent treatment plant, using effluent collected from RD Casting¡¯s own machines.
Samples were taken and supplied to the local water authority for analysis.
Tests showed the best results were achieved using flocculation and then centrifuge treatment, producing samples significantly within the 2009 consent limits.
Pateman said: "Wheelabrator Group efficiently examined the situation and came back with a solution that was capable of handling our needs.
The recirculating system they recommended and provided has given us complete control of our output and total confidence that we¡¯re meeting our environmental requirements".
He added: "We¡¯re proud to have reduced our effluent discharge to such an extent that in the first six months of use to date no effluent whatsoever has been discharged to drain - a really positive outcome for both our business and the local environment".
Area sales manager, Vibro and Air at Wheelabrator Group, Darren Rimmer, said: "At Wheelabrator Group we are committed to providing customers, both existing and new, with solutions to their problems which fit with their current systems and machines.
We look closely at how our processes impact on the environment and work with clients to minimise their effect wherever possible".
In addition to compact manual units, the range of effluent treatment units available from Wheelabrator Group also includes fully automatic systems suitable for use with larger and multiple machines.
Specific recommendations and free trials can be arranged by contacting Wheelabrator Group¡¯s Surface Technology Centre.
* About Wheelabrator - Wheelabrator Group owns, designs, manufactures and provides wheelblast, airblast and vibratory mass finishing equipment for surface preparation and cleaning, and serves a variety of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive industries.
