[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2000073212A1 - Procede d'elimination des saletes d'une solution souillee, mise en oeuvre du procede et appareils capables d'executer ce procede - Google Patents

Procede d'elimination des saletes d'une solution souillee, mise en oeuvre du procede et appareils capables d'executer ce procede Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000073212A1
WO2000073212A1 PCT/DK2000/000279 DK0000279W WO0073212A1 WO 2000073212 A1 WO2000073212 A1 WO 2000073212A1 DK 0000279 W DK0000279 W DK 0000279W WO 0073212 A1 WO0073212 A1 WO 0073212A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
solution
reactor
dirty
cleaning
chemicals
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/DK2000/000279
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Erik Rasmussen
Karen Brodersen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nilfisk AS
Original Assignee
Nilfisk Advance AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nilfisk Advance AS filed Critical Nilfisk Advance AS
Priority to AU47450/00A priority Critical patent/AU4745000A/en
Publication of WO2000073212A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000073212A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/52—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities
    • C02F1/5209—Regulation methods for flocculation or precipitation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F9/00—Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F9/20—Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/52—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities
    • C02F1/5236—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities using inorganic agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/52—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities
    • C02F1/54—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities using organic material
    • C02F1/56—Macromolecular compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F11/00—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor
    • C02F11/12—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor by de-watering, drying or thickening
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/002—Grey water, e.g. from clothes washers, showers or dishwashers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/11—Turbidity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of removing dirt from a dirty solution, use of the method and devices able to perform this method.
  • the invention particularly relates to a method of cleaning and/or treating surfaces such as floors, pavements and carpets using a cleaning and/or treatment device, which is using a cleaning/treatment solution, wherein the solution may be recirculated and thereby used more than one time.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of removing dirt from a dirty solution such as used cleaning/treatment solution, and thereafter, disposing of the cleaned solution and the dirt fraction.
  • Cleaning devices such as floor scrubbers and carpet cleaners using detergent solutions and/or treatment solutions comprising water and detergent and/or treatment chemicals (detergent/treatment solution is in the following referred to as solution) are well-known in the art. Most of the known cleaning devices use the solution only once, and consequently use a lot of solution under operation.
  • the general way of operating a floor scrubber or a carpet cleaning machine is firstly, to prepare a solution. The solution is then placed in a clean solution tank of the machine, and there from the solution is fed to the surface (hard floor, carpet, etc.) and spread onto said surface. The surface is cleaned using the dissolving power of the detergents, and may further be cleaned by mechanical means, such as a brush. The mixture of dirt and solution is finally removed from the surface e.g.
  • cleaning devices using the solution only once should either have a large supply tank, or can only operate for a very short time.
  • Other disadvantages of the above mentioned cleaning devices using the solution only once is that a lot of the solution comprising unused detergents is discarded into the environment which is both expensive and may be polluting to the environment.
  • a number of cleaning devices having means for cleaning the used dirty solution and recirculating the cleaned solution have been suggested.
  • US 4,194,263 discloses a scrubber comprising a clean solution tank and a dirty solution tank.
  • a separator is placed in between the clean solution tank and the dirty solution tank to separate the dirty solution into a sludge portion, which is returned to the dirty solution tank, and a clean solution, which is returned to the clean solution tank for being reused.
  • the separator is a laminar flow tube settler.
  • a similar scrubber is known from US 4,295,244. In this scrubber, the separator has been replaced by a series (a box) of sedimentation chambers.
  • the cleaning device disclosed m EP 0 224 055 A2 comprises a clean solution tank and a dirty solution tank. The two tanks are openly connected, and when passing from the dirty solution tank to the clean solution tank, solution has to pass a first filter with large mesh size, and a fine filter for separating dirt from the solution.
  • a mobile cleaning apparatus with a clean solution tank and a dirty solution tank comprises a system of cleaning the dirty solution comprising a sieve plate m the dirty solution tank, and a filter bag in the clean solution tank.
  • Adding polyelectrolytes (flocculants) to the solution will often cause less dissolving power of detergents present in the solution since these detergents act as deflocculants and therefore often chemically bind to the flocculants, and thus cause either increased use of detergents or a less optimal cleaning result.
  • US 4,295,244 discloses a scrubber comprising a clean solution tank and a dirty solution tank.
  • a separator in the form of a series (a box) of sedimentation chambers is placed m between the clean solution tank and the dirty solution tank.
  • a flocculant is added to the clean solution while the solution is on the surface to be cleaned or immediately after the solution is picked up from the surface m order to create "floes of dirt" on the surfaces to be cleaned.
  • the dirty solution is moved through the sedimentation chambers, the solution being drawn from the top of the preceding chamber. Flocculation and settling take place m each of the chambers with the cleaning solution gradually losing the soilage thereby becoming reusable.
  • the separator in the scrubber disclosed m US 4,295,244 requires large space and long operation time in order to provide a clean solution, and due to the constant flow through the chambers a lot of the flocculant and dirt will not settle but be returned to the clean solution tank.
  • flocculants in the clean solution will often cause less dissolving power of detergents present, and consequently, the presence of flocculants m the clean solution should be avoided.
  • it is very complicated to control the addition of flocculant in relation to the amount and type of dirt, which means that in most situations, too much flocculant is added. This surplus of flocculant will be returned to the clean solution tank as well.
  • the "dirt" and debris present in the dirty solution is normally a mixture of particles having any shapes, regular or irregular and typical densities varying from 0.1 to 10 g/cm.' .
  • sedimentation time and physical conditions are important factors.
  • Sedimentation is not an effective separation technique for separating particles with spec, gravities ⁇ 1.00 g/cm 3 .
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method of removing dirt from a dirty solution comprising dirt and cleaning and/or treatment agent, which method is simple and effective, and does not have the disadvantages as the methods described above.
  • a second object of the present invention is to provide a method of removing dirt from a dirty solution comprising dirt and cleaning and/or treatment agent, by use of which method, used cleaning/treatment solution can be regenerated as a clear cleaned solution.
  • a third object of the present invention is to provide a method of removing dirt from a dirty solution comprising dirt and cleaning and/or treatment agent, by use of which method used cleaning/treatment solution can be disposed of in an environmental acceptable way, and thereby results in minimum emission to the environment.
  • a fourth object of the present invention is to provide a method of removing dirt from a dirty solution comprising dirt and cleaning and/or treatment agent, which method is fast and does not require much space.
  • a fifth object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning and/or treatment device for cleaning and/or treating surfaces such as floors, pavements and carpets, which device comprises simple and effective regeneration equipment, and by use of which device, used cleaning/treatment solution can be regenerated as a clear cleaned solution.
  • a sixth object of the invention is to provide a cleaning and/or treatment device which can treat the used cleaning/treatment solution so that it can be disposed of in an environmental acceptable way, and thereby results in as little pollution as possible to the environment.
  • a "dirty solution” means an aqueous solution of detergent and/or treatment chemicals, which has been used for cleaning and/or treating a surface.
  • a “clean solution” likewise means a clean aqueous solution of detergent and/or treatment chemicals.
  • cleaning solution encompasses both a fresh prepared solution and a used solution, which have been cleaned.
  • a “clear cleaned solution” refers to a dirty solution, which has been cleaned from substantially all or at least most of the dirt.
  • the “clear cleaned solution” is transparent and have a low turbidity, e.g. lower than 80 NTU, preferably lower than 50 NTU.
  • the solution comprises one or more detergents. It is preferred that the dirty solution comprises substantially no, or at least not more than 50 mg/1, and preferably not more than 10 mg/1 of insoluble surface active agents e.g. with molecular weights above 300. Such insoluble surface- active agents may result in that the flocked dirt particles will be unable to precipitate sufficiently fast.
  • the term "insoluble" means insoluble in the solution, but may preferably also mean insoluble in water as such.
  • the dirty solution is a solution obtained by cleaning a surface e.g. a floor, a carpet or a wall using an aqueous solution of detergents which is substantially free of oil and hydrophobic organic materials. The only oil and hydrophobic organic material present in the solution comes from the surface which is cleaned, and should preferably be sufficiently low so as not result in that the surface of the dirt particles become hydrophobic.
  • At least 60 %, preferably at least 90 % by dry weight of the particles having a size above 1 ⁇ m is removed from the solution. Since the clear cleaned solution in most cases should be recirculated, the presence of detergents in the clear cleaned solution is completely acceptable and in most cases an advantage since the unused detergent may be recirculated as well.
  • the chemical reactor is physically separated from the solution tanks, but is connected to the solution tanks via one or more pipelines or similar connection lines for the solution.
  • the flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals used in the present invention may be any type of conventional flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals.
  • the flocculation chemicals may e.g. be one or more nonionic, anionic or catiomc polyelectrolytes.
  • Preferred flocculation chemicals are Zetag ⁇ 75FS40 (supplied by Allied Colloids) and Anionic flocculation chemical 1820 (supplied by Allied Colloids) .
  • the precipitation chemicals may e.g. be one or more metallic salts or inorganic calcium compounds or aluminium chloride, preferred precipitation chemicals are ferric chloride, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and aluminium chloride .
  • the precipitation and flocculation chemicals may be added m any form, such as dry powder, paste, aqueous solution or suspension. It is, however, preferred that the precipitation and flocculation chemicals are added in the form of aqueous solution or suspension.
  • the precipitation and flocculation chemicals are preferably added m the form of pure active compounds, but may also be added m mixtures with other components, which does not impede the flocculation activity of the chemicals.
  • Precipitation and flocculation chemicals in the form of pure active compounds means precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals comprising less than 1% by weight of impurities besides optional solvents or liquid carrier.
  • the dirty solution is cleaned in one single reactor in batches.
  • This cleaning method surprisingly results in an improved cleaning of the solution, and only minor amounts of precipitation and flocculation chemicals are present m the cleaned solution.
  • the major part of the dirty solution is removed from the reactor in the form of clear cleaned solution.
  • the remaining part may preferably be filtrated as described below.
  • the portion of dirty solution introduced into the chemical reactor m each running is preferably between 1 and 20 % by vol., preferably between 5 and 10 % by vol. of the total amount of solution m the cleaning system.
  • the total amount of solution m the cleaning system comprises the total amount of clean and dirty solution.
  • flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals are added m a sequential or in a combination way.
  • a “sequential way” means that more than one kind of flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals is added, and that they are added separately.
  • a “combination way” means that one or more flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals are added, and if more, that the chemicals are added simultaneously.
  • the flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals comprises at least one flocculation chemical, and more preferred that the flocculation and precipitation chemicals comprise at least one flocculation chemical and one precipitation chemical.
  • the amount of flocculation chemicals in relation to the amount of precipitation chemicals should preferably be in the range 0.002:1 to 0.5:1, more preferably m the range 0.005:1 to 0.02:1.
  • the amount of precipitation chemicals should preferably be at least 0.5 g/1 dirty solution.
  • the flocculation and precipitation chemicals comprise a cationic flocculation chemical in combination with one or more precipitation chemicals, preferably selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride and optionally one of calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide.
  • the flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals should preferably be added to the dirty solution m a sufficient amount continuously or stepwise, to preferably within a period of about 10 minutes, result m a flocculation and precipitation of the major part of the dirt particles in the dirty solution, e.g. to result m a solution with a turbidity m the upper surface of the solution which is reduced to below half the NTU, preferably below 1/10 the NTU as the initial dirty solution.
  • the optimal amount of flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals depends on the type of dirt m the solution and the type of flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals used. Generally, in floor cleaning operations it is preferred to add between 0.005 and 0.5, preferably 0.01 and 0.2 g flocculation chemical per 1 dirty solution, and/or to add between 0.5 and 10, preferably 1.0 and 5 g precipitation chemical per 1 dirty solution.
  • the flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals are added continuously or in several steps. Thereby, the optimal amount of added flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals is easily found, namely when an increased sedimentation is observed, and at this point preferably no further flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals should be added. Thereby, most part of the unused detergent m the solution will remain in the clear cleaned solution, which is recirculated for reuse. When such recirculated clear cleaned solution is used the need for adding further detergents is highly reduced and thereby the cost for additional detergent may be reduced.
  • the solution m the reactor should preferably have a pH value between 2 and 12.
  • the pH value of the solution and the flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals are selected m dependence of each other.
  • the pH value may be adjusted by adding a basic or acidic component to the solution.
  • the pH value of the solution may preferably be measured during the flocculation reaction, and the pH value may be continuously adjusted until the solution is removed from the reactor.
  • the reaction time is normally relatively short.
  • the state of reaction can be measured by use of a turbidity meter, and the optimal reaction time can be deduced.
  • the flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals may preferably be added under stirring of the solution, where by preferably no air-bubbles are introduced in the solution. It should be observed that the stirring should be substantially gentle to avoid breaking of formed floes of dirt.
  • the purpose of the stirring is to distribute the added chemicals in the solution.
  • the stirring should be sufficiently slow and gentle so as not to result in an increased oxidation of the solution.
  • the reaction time in the reactor after the addition of precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals is initiated is preferably at least 3 sec, more preferably at least 5 sec, and even more preferably at least 1 minute. It should be observed that the reaction time m general does not exceed 10 minutes.
  • the flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals are added continuously or m portions, preferably at least 3 portions, more preferably at least 5 portions, until the turbidity of the solution, measured at the upper surface of the solution, is below 100 NTU, preferably below 50 NTU, and more preferably below 25 NTU.
  • the upper surface of the solution means the 1/10 topmost portion of solution the reactor.
  • flocculation chemicals are added slowly, it has surprisingly been found that at a certain point, the dirt sedimentates very fast.
  • flocculation chemicals are added continuously preferably m an amount of between 0.0005 and 0.5 g flocculation chemical per 1 dirty solution per mm.
  • Precipitation chemicals may preferably be added in small portions of e.g. 0.1 to 3 g per 1 dirty solution, the portions are preferably added with intervals of between 0.5 and 3 minutes.
  • the temperature in the reactor may be room temperature e.g. about 20°C or may have tap water temperature e.g. about 10°C.
  • the solution may also be heated, but the temperature of the solution should preferably be kept below its boiling point in order not to create air bubbles in the solution.
  • the temperature of the solution may be very low, but at least the temperature should be sufficiently high to avoid freezing of the solution.
  • the solution should be at least 5° C . Temperatures from 5° and up to 100°C are normally acceptable. Preferred temperatures are between 10° and 40° C.
  • the dirty solution may preferably be subjected to a prefiltratmg step.
  • a prefiltratmg step depends on the type and amount of dirt the dirty solution, but generally, it is preferred to prefiltrate the solution. If the dirty solution comprises a considerable amount of coarse particles, i.e. particles having an average diameter above 10 ⁇ m, it is particularly preferred to prefilterate the dirty solution.
  • the prefiltratmg step comprising filtering the dirty solution through one or more coarse screens prior to the introduction of the dirty solution into the reactor.
  • the mesh width of the coarse screen or screens are preferably selected m dependence of the size of the particles m the dirty solution, but still the mesh width should be sufficiently large to allow for an acceptable flow of solution through the screen or screens without any clogging of the screen or screens.
  • Preferred coarse screens have mesh width of between 0.05 and 4 mm, more preferred between 0.1 and 2 mm.
  • a portion of dirty solution is introduced into the chemical reactor, and flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals are added, and allowed to react with the dirt the solution, until the turbidity of the topmost portion of solution reaches an acceptable level.
  • the cleaned solution is removed from the reactor by draining the upper portion of solution, which may be returned directly to a clean solution tank.
  • the upper portion of solution may e.g. be up to about
  • Turbidity meters may be placed at different levels inside the reactor.
  • the bottom portion of the solution m the reactor containing floes of dirt and precipitated dirt may preferably be removed separately.
  • the bottom portion of the solution is the part of the solution, which is not included m the upper portion of the solution.
  • the steps of introducing dirty solution into the reactor, treating it with flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals, and removing the cleaned solution from the reactor by draining the upper portion of solution may be repeated m several cycles, preferably up to 25 cycles, more preferably up to 10 cycles, before the bottom portion of the solution in the reactor containing floes of dirt and precipitated dirt is removed.
  • the number of cycles depends largely on how much dirt there is present in the dirty solution prior to the introduction into the reactor.
  • the bottom portion of solution is transferred to a dewatering device.
  • a dewatermg device is described later on in the specification.
  • a portion of dirty solution is introduced into the chemical reactor, and flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals are added, and allowed to react with the dirt m the solution, and all of the solution is removed from the reactor and transferred to a dewatering device.
  • the reactor also constitutes the dewatering device.
  • the acceptable time for removing the solution or filtering the solution the reactor may be determined dependence of the turbidity of the topmost portion of solution.
  • the dewatering device is a device, which is able to treat the solution transferred from the reactor, by removing substantially all of the flowable solution from the dirty solids.
  • the dirty solids should preferably comprise less than 40 % by weight of free water, more preferably less than 20 % by weight of free water.
  • the dirty solids could be dried further using conventional drying systems.
  • the dewatering device preferably operates by filtering the solution through filters having small mesh widths under raised pressure.
  • the dewatering device may also be an evaporation device, operating by evaporating water from the solution.
  • the dewatering device is a filter press, a vacuum band filter or a band filter.
  • the mesh width of the filter unit or units in the dewatering device is sufficiently small to remove most or preferably, substantially all of the dirty solids from the solution to obtain a cleaned solution, having a turbidity preferably below 100 NTU, more preferably below 50 NTU and even more preferred below 25 NTU.
  • the cleaned solution separated from solids m the dewatering device may comprise small amounts of dirt, but will normally be substantially clean i.e. having a turbidity lower than 100 NTU, preferably lower than 50 NTU.
  • the cleaned solution may be disposed of e.g. to the sewer, or may preferably be reused.
  • the dirty solids may be disposed of as a "dry cake", which may be incinerated. Dependent on the type of dirt the dirty solids, it may also be used for compost, filler materials or others. It is a great advantage that the dirt, which may include heavy metals, oil grease etc., can be disposed of this environmental friendly way.
  • the method according to the invention may be used for cleaning any type of aqueous solution of detergent and/or treatment chemicals, which has been used for cleaning and/or treating a surface, preferably the method is used for cleaning dirty solutions obtained by cleaning and/or treating floors, pavements and/or carpets, and more preferably for cleaning dirty solutions which have been obtained by cleaning surfaces using a floor scrubber and/or a carpet cleaner.
  • the invention also relates to a cleaning and/or treatment device capable of cleaning a dirty solution by a method as described above.
  • the cleaning and/or treatment device according to the invention comprises a clean solution tank, a dirty solution tank, means for supplying the clean solution to a surface, means for recovering dirty solution from said surface, and means for cleaning said dirty solution, said means for cleaning said dirty solution comprises a chemical reactor, means for batch wise introduction of said dirty solution into said reactor, means for dosing precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals into said reactor, means for removing cleaned solution from the reactor and means for recirculating said cleaned solution to the clean solution tank.
  • Cleaning devices comprising a clean solution tank, a dirty solution tank, means for supplying clean solution to a surface, and means for recovering dirty solution from this surface is generally known the art, and the device according to the invention may be equipped with any type and shape of clean solution tank, dirty solution tank, means for supplying clean solution to a surface and means for recovering dirty solution from this surface which is generally known to a person skilled in the art.
  • the means for supplying clean solution to a surface and means for recovering dirty solution from this surface may preferably comprise a movable cleaner head, which cleaner head comprises at least one solution supply opening for supplying clean solution to a surface, and at least one solution recovery opening for recovering dirty solution from a surface.
  • a squeegee may preferably be placed close to the recovery opening.
  • the solution supply opening is connected to the clean solution tank, so that it is m solution communication with the clean solution tank.
  • the solution recovery opening is connected to the dirty solution tank, so that it is in solution communication with the dirty solution tank.
  • the means for supplying clean solution to a surface and means for recovering dirty solution from this surface preferably also comprise means for supplying solution from said clean solution tank through said supply opening, preferably in the form of gravity or in the form of a pump, and suction means for recovering solution through said recovery opening to said dirty solution tank.
  • the clean solution tank, the dirty solution tank and the cleaner head may have any shape and size.
  • the clean solution tank is preferably not smaller than the dirty solution tank. It is particularly preferred that the clean solution tank and the dirty solution tank have similar size. In some situations, which however, are not preferred, the dirty solution tank may be constituted by a pipeline that transfers the used solution from the cleaner head to the means for cleaning the dirty solution.
  • the cleaner head is preferably designed to the type of surface that the cleaning device should clean and/or treat.
  • the cleaner head may preferably be replaceable.
  • a preferred cleaner head may comprise any type of scrubbing means e.g. a rotary brush or brushes in connection with the supply opening.
  • the cleaner head further may comprise a squeegee placed close to the recovery opening.
  • the cleaner head depends on the type of surface it is adapted to clean.
  • the cleaner head is divided into two sections, a first section for supplying fresh solution, and a second section for recovering dirty solution. These two sections may be physically separated from each other.
  • the means for supplying solution from the clean solution tank through the supply opening is gravity.
  • the means for supplying solution from the clean solution tank through the supply opening may preferably be a pumping means .
  • the cleaning device may be provided by a device having any size and style and may preferably comprise wheels.
  • the cleaner head may be movable with respect to the solution tanks or in that the whole cleaning device is movable. It is preferred that the cleaning device is a floor scrubber or a carpet cleaner, and except for the means for cleaning the dirty solution, it may preferably be similar to the cleaners described m the advance brochure "Advance, Commercial and Industrial Cleaning Equipment” 1994 Form No. 28493, 8/94, and "Advance, Commercial Cleaning Equipment” 1996 Form No. L0377A, 4/96.
  • the means for cleaning the dirty solution also referred to as the dirty solution cleaner, is able to clean the dirty solution according to the method described above.
  • the chemical reactor of the dirty solution cleaner may be in the form of a reaction tank, which may have any shape, but preferably a tank having a cylindrical shape and a height, which is at least twice the diameter of the tank.
  • the reactor may preferably be equipped with a means for agitating of a solution the reactor. This agitating means is preferably a stirrer placed within the reactor.
  • the reactor may further be provided with means for measuring the turbidity of the solution m the reactor, preferably the form of two or more turbidity meters measuring the turbidity at different levels in the reactor.
  • the reactor is, furthermore, equipped with channels, pipelines and/or doors for feeding and draining the solution to and from the reactor.
  • the dirty solution is preferably introduced into the reactor via a pipeline, which is equipped with an open/close vent for batch wise introduction of dirty solution into the reactor.
  • the dirty solution cleaner preferably comprises one or more pipelines and or chutes for the introduction of precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals, preferably m the form of pure active compounds, aqueous solutions or suspensions into the reactor.
  • the means for dosing precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals into the reactor may include a control system adjusting the amount of precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals introduced into the reactor.
  • the control system may preferably be connected to one or more turbidity meters placed inside the reactor, and the adjustment of the amount of precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals introduced into the reactor may be regulated m dependence of the turbidity of a solution m the reactor.
  • the means for removing cleaned solution from the reactor may be m the form of one or more pipelines, which may be connected to the reactor. It is preferred that at least one pipeline is connected to the reactor at its bottom, in order to provide a means for emptying the reactor.
  • This pipeline may preferably provide a connection to a dewatering device for transferring treated solution from the reactor to the dewatering device.
  • a pipeline or similar means preferably provide a connection from the reactor, preferably the upper half of the reactor, and/or a dewatering device to the clean solution tank or another collection tank.
  • the dirty solution cleaner preferably comprises a temperature regulator for regulating the temperature of solution in the reactor.
  • the dirty solution cleaner may also comprise a pH regulator for regulating the pH value of a solution in the reactor.
  • Such regulators are generally known to a skilled person.
  • the dirty solution cleaner further comprises one or more coarse screen or screens for precleanmg the dirty solution prior to the introduction into the reactor.
  • This or these screen (s) preferably has/have a mesh width between 0.05 and 4 mm, more preferably between 0.1 and 2 mm.
  • the dirty solution cleaner comprises a dewatering device for dewatering floes of dirt and/or precipitated dirt m the solution after it has been treated m the reactor.
  • the dewatering device is constructed as a solid-liquid separation device separating the dirt and floes of dirt from the solution to obtain a filter cake, which is substantially free of liquid.
  • the dewatering device preferably operates by use of a pressure gradient, including pressure filtration, suction filtration and vacuum filtration.
  • the dewatering device is a filter press, a vacuum band filter or a band filter.
  • the device further comprising a control unit for regulating means for batch wise introduction of dirty solution into the reactor, means for dosing precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals into said reactor in relation to the amount of dirt m the solution, means for removing cleaned solution from the reactor, and means for recirculating said cleaned solution to the clean solution tank.
  • the control unit may also be connected to the regulating means for regulating the temperature and/or pH value of a solution within the reactor.
  • the device is constructed two separate sections, namely a cleaning and/or treatment device also designated “the surface cleaning machine” and a dirty water cleaning station. These sections or station/machine may be connected to each other with intervals for transferring dirty solution obtained by cleaning or treating surfaces with the surface cleaning machine, to the dirty water cleaning station for cleaning, and optionally for recirculating the cleaned solution to the surface cleaning machine.
  • the surface cleaning machine may be constructed as the cleaning and/or treatment device described above, but without the dirty solution cleaner. Instead, the surface cleaning machine comprises means for providing a fluid communication or connections to the dirty water cleaning station as described below.
  • the surface cleaning machine may also be m the form of a cleaning and/or treatment device comprising a cross-flow filter as described in the DK patent application No. PA 199801292.
  • the dirty water cleaning station comprises a chemical reactor, means for batch wise introduction of dirty solution into said reactor, means for dosing precipitation and/or flocculation chemicals into said reactor, and means for removing cleaned solution from the reactor.
  • the dirty water cleaning station may be in the form of a dirty water cleaner as described above, but constructed as a separate unit.
  • the dirty water cleaning station and the cleaning and/or treatment device comprises connection means for connecting to each other to form a first solution communication between said dirty solution tank and said reactor, and preferably connection means to form a second solution communication between said clean solution tank and said reactor.
  • the first solution communication provides means for transferring dirty solution to the dirty water cleaning station
  • the second solution communication provides means for transferring cleaned solution from the dirty water cleaning station to the clean solution tank of the cleaning and/or treatment device. If the stations do not have a second solution communication, the cleaned solution is disposed of.
  • the first and second connections may preferably be provided in the form of pipelines.
  • the dirty water cleaning station may comprise means for connecting to several surface cleaning machines.
  • Fig. 1 shows a principle sketch of a device for removing dirt from a dirty solution using the method according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows a second principle sketch of a device for removing dirt from a dirty solution using the method according to the invention.
  • Fig. 3 shows a principle sketch of a cleaning and/or treatment device according to the invention.
  • a dirty solution which may e.g. be picked up from a surface, via pipeline 1 is introduced into a prefiltermg unit 2, where the solution passes one or more coarse screens.
  • the prefiltered solution flows into a collection tank 4.
  • the prefiltermg unit is placed inside the collection tank.
  • the collection tank may be the dirty water tank of the cleaning and/or treatment device. From the collection tank 4, the prefiltered dirty solution is transported m batches via pipeline 5 using gravity or a not shown pump, into a reactor 6.
  • flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals is added from a dispenser 9 via a pipeline 8 or similar means.
  • the amount and speed of addition of flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals may be adjusted according to the turbidity of the solution m the reactor as explained above.
  • the cleaned solution and floes of dirt is transferred via pipeline 10 to a dewatering device 11, wherein the floes of dirt are separated from the cleaned solution.
  • the cleaned solution is via pipeline 12 transferred to a clean solution tank for reuse e.g. via pipeline 14, and the substantially dry dirt is removed from the dewatering device into a disposal bag or similar means.
  • the second principle sketch shown m fig. 2 differs from the sketch shown in fig. 1 only in that the reactor comprises two pipelines for removing cleaned solution.
  • the reactor comprises two pipelines for removing cleaned solution.
  • the turbidity of the solution in the reactor is sufficiently low measured by a not shown turbidity meter placed m the upper half of the reactor, the upper portion of cleaned solution is removed via pipeline 15 and transported directly to the clean solution tank 13.
  • a new portion of prefiltered, dirty solution may be introduced into the reactor 6, and treated with chemicals from dispenser 9, until a sufficiently low turbidity of the solution m the upper portion of the reactor is reached, and the process may be repeated up to about 25 times.
  • the principle sketch of a cleaning and/or treatment device of the invention shown fig. 3 comprises a box
  • clean solution is passed from the clean solution tank 33 via pipe 34, and a not shown cleaner head, applying the solution to the surface to be cleaned, which may be the surface below the device.
  • Used dirty solution is picked up via a not shown collection means, preferably comprising a squeegee, and the solution is passed to a dirty solution tank 24, via a pipeline 21, transferring the solution to a prefiltermg unit 22, and there from via a pipeline 23 to the dirty solution tank 24.
  • the prefiltermg unit may comprise one or more coarse screens as described above.
  • the prefiltered, dirty solution is transported in batches via pipeline 25 using gravity or a not shown pump into a reactor 26. Un ⁇ er slowly stirring using a rotating agitator 27, flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals is added from a dispenser 29 via a pipeline 28 or similar means. The amount and speed of addition of flocculation and/or precipitation chemicals may be adjusted according to the turbidity of the solution m the reactor as explained above.
  • the cleaned solution and floes of dirt is transferred via pipeline 30 to a dewatering device 31, wherein the floes of dirt are separated from the cleaned solution.
  • the cleaned solution is via pipeline 32 transferred to a clean solution tank for reuse via pipeline 34, and the substantially dry dirt is removed from the dewatering device into a disposal bag or similar means .
  • Example no. 1 Inorganic and organic flocculation /precipi tation chemicals
  • a solution was prepared from 0.4 1 Darenas® No. 636 (detergent) and 54 1 tap water, and the solution filled into a scrubber (Tennant® 450ES) and was used cleaning a hard floor in a supermarket.
  • the collected solution was reacted with different combinations of chemicals as shown in table 1.
  • Table 2 Flocculation experiments on muddy water from Nilfisk production facility.
  • Example no. 2 Inorganic and organic floccula tion/precipi ta tion chemi cals
  • a solution was prepared from 1% (w/w) Sanirens supplied by Diversey A/S and tap water, and the solution filled into a scrubber (Advance® 265 LX) and was used in cleaning floor in a electromotor production facility.
  • the collected solution was reacted with different combinations of chemicals as shown in table 2.
  • the inorganic precipitation chemicals were added before the organic flocculation chemicals.
  • Example no. 3 Wa ter quali ty and use of surfactan t
  • a storage building hard floor was cleaned using a scrubber (Nilfisk-Advance® BR-1000) and a solution prepared from 1 part by weight of Top Clean® Supplied by Hillyard and 64 parts by weight of tap water. Samples of 1 litre of the recovered solution were treated by different processes to remove the dirt particles. The cleaned solution was analysed by turbidity in each case and the processes results are given in table 3.
  • a scrubber Nailfisk-Advance® BR-1000
  • Table 3 Turbidity of cleaned scrubber solution after different process treatment.
  • the mixing was made by carefully decanting the flocculation chemicals and the dirty solution. The mixture was decanted five times before it was left for 1 min. The upper phase was transferred to a NTU measuring cell using a syringe.
  • Recovered solution collected from the cleaning of storage building hard floor in example 3 was reacted with 1 g FeClj, 4 g CaC0 3 and 0.06 g Zetag® 75FS40 per 1 solution under stirring at 50 rpm for approximately 2 minutes, and the surface activity of the gained, cleaned water was compared to the initial surface activity and the surface activity of the filtered solution (filtered through a 50 g/rrr polypropylene filter clothing) .
  • the original feed solution, filtered collected solution and reacted filtered solution was diluted with tap water and the interfacial tension to air was measured at each dilution. By estimation of CMC the concentration of surface active material was determined. It was found that the filtered collected solution contains approximately 30 % of the original added surfactants.
  • the reacted, cleaned solution contained 15 % of the original surface active material.
  • the dilution curves are shown in figure 4.
  • the recovered scrubber solution from storage area in example 3 was reacted by addition of 0.2 % (w/v) FeCl 3 ; 0.5 % (w/v) CaC0 3 ; 0.04 % (w/v) anionic flocculation chemical 1820 supplied by Cytec Industries B.V., The Netherlands.
  • the turbidity of the cleaned water and the size of the floes were followed as a function of time and are shown on figure 5.
  • the floes seem to become smaller with time and ' this can be explained by the stirring that could destroy the floes.
  • the cleaned water is initially brownish and became more light green and transparent.
  • the stirrer was a four blade propeller running at 50 rpm.
  • the diameter of the propeller was 0.08 m.
  • Figure 4 Interfacial tensi on of the recovered and trea ted solutions diluted wi th tap water.
  • a fraction of scrubber solution (0.41 1 HP2000 delivered from Pers Kemi per 15 1 water) was recovered after floor cleaning in a light industry (scrubber type: Nilfisk® C38) was flocculated with 1 g/1 CaC0 3 and 200 PPM Zetag 75FS40. The turbidity was measured at regular intervals and is pictured in figure 6. In this case, the turbidity of the water continued to decrease during the first 20 minutes of the process. 250
  • Figure 5 Turbidity time dependency of the reacted cleaned scrubber solution.
  • Figure 3 Turbidity of the reacted water from the light industry floor as a function of time.
  • Example 5 Other separa tion processes
  • Recovered scrubber solution from the supermarket in example 1 was flocculated with 2 g/1 FeCl;,; 5 g/1 CaC0 3 and 0.1 g/1 cationie Zetag 75FS40. After sedimentation was the reacted solution filtered through a 50 g/ ⁇ r propylene filter clothing. The cleaned solution was returned to the floor scrubber and used for cleaning a similar floor. The cleaning performance was not reduced with the recycled solution even without additional detergents in the recycled solution.
  • Table 4 Separation performance for recovered scrubber solutions.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Separation Of Suspended Particles By Flocculating Agents (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé d'élimination des saletés d'une solution souillée renfermant un ou plusieurs agents nettoyants et des saletés. Le procédé comprend les étapes consistant: i) à introduire une partie de la solution souillée dans un réacteur chimique, ii) à introduire un ou plusieurs agents chimiques de floculation et/ou précipitation dans le réacteur, iii) à laisser les agents chimiques réagir avec les saletés, et iv) à extraire la solution épurée du réacteur. L'invention concerne également un appareil de mise en oeuvre du procédé. L'utilisation du procédé permet de nettoyer la solution souillée afin d'obtenir une solution épurée présentant une turbidité inférieure à 100 NTU, de préférence inférieure à 50 NTU, idéalement 25 NTU, et ainsi la solution peut être réutilisée plusieurs fois.
PCT/DK2000/000279 1999-05-27 2000-05-25 Procede d'elimination des saletes d'une solution souillee, mise en oeuvre du procede et appareils capables d'executer ce procede Ceased WO2000073212A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU47450/00A AU4745000A (en) 1999-05-27 2000-05-25 A method of removing dirt from a dirty solution, use of the method and devices able to perform this method

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13626499P 1999-05-27 1999-05-27
DKPA199900747 1999-05-27
US60/136,264 1999-05-27
DKPA199900747 1999-05-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000073212A1 true WO2000073212A1 (fr) 2000-12-07

Family

ID=26064571

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/DK2000/000279 Ceased WO2000073212A1 (fr) 1999-05-27 2000-05-25 Procede d'elimination des saletes d'une solution souillee, mise en oeuvre du procede et appareils capables d'executer ce procede

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4745000A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000073212A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6432213B2 (en) 2000-04-20 2002-08-13 Photoscience Japan Corporation Tube scraper
DE102006033644A1 (de) * 2006-07-14 2008-01-17 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Reinigungsgerät für Flächen
WO2008101276A1 (fr) * 2007-02-20 2008-08-28 Perpetual Water Pty Ltd Méthode et appareil éliminant les polluants d'eaux usées
WO2012042530A1 (fr) * 2010-09-27 2012-04-05 Tata Consultancy Services Limited Appareil pour la purification de l'eau

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2312457A1 (fr) * 1975-05-27 1976-12-24 Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co Procede de purification d'eau trouble
FR2314899A1 (fr) * 1975-06-16 1977-01-14 Kleen Rite Arundale Procede et dispositif d'epuration d'eaux residuaires
EP0130943A2 (fr) * 1983-07-01 1985-01-09 Elsa Margrit Perren-Blatti Procédé de séparation continuelle de matières à partir d'un liquide pollué contenant des tensides
US4957633A (en) * 1987-03-25 1990-09-18 Oiva Suutarinen Floatation clarifying and flocculating/purification of liquid
WO1990014310A1 (fr) * 1989-05-22 1990-11-29 Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation Procede de traitement d'effluents

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2312457A1 (fr) * 1975-05-27 1976-12-24 Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co Procede de purification d'eau trouble
FR2314899A1 (fr) * 1975-06-16 1977-01-14 Kleen Rite Arundale Procede et dispositif d'epuration d'eaux residuaires
EP0130943A2 (fr) * 1983-07-01 1985-01-09 Elsa Margrit Perren-Blatti Procédé de séparation continuelle de matières à partir d'un liquide pollué contenant des tensides
US4957633A (en) * 1987-03-25 1990-09-18 Oiva Suutarinen Floatation clarifying and flocculating/purification of liquid
WO1990014310A1 (fr) * 1989-05-22 1990-11-29 Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation Procede de traitement d'effluents

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6432213B2 (en) 2000-04-20 2002-08-13 Photoscience Japan Corporation Tube scraper
DE102006033644A1 (de) * 2006-07-14 2008-01-17 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Reinigungsgerät für Flächen
WO2008101276A1 (fr) * 2007-02-20 2008-08-28 Perpetual Water Pty Ltd Méthode et appareil éliminant les polluants d'eaux usées
WO2012042530A1 (fr) * 2010-09-27 2012-04-05 Tata Consultancy Services Limited Appareil pour la purification de l'eau

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4745000A (en) 2000-12-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3753777A (en) Surface cleaning method
KR102099047B1 (ko) 컴팩트형 복합 오염토양 정화 시스템
KR100526993B1 (ko) 유류 및 중금속 오염 토양의 세척방법
WO1985000354A1 (fr) Procede et appareil de manipulation de materiaux de rebut dans des operations de forage de puits de petrole
JP6264593B1 (ja) 土壌浄化システム
JP6264592B1 (ja) 土壌浄化システム
KR101705494B1 (ko) 고회수율 및 고품질의 음식물 쓰레기 유분 분리 장치의 유분 분리 방법 및 세정 방법
CN110270588A (zh) 一种重金属污染土壤异位洗脱系统及控制系统及方法
US4096084A (en) Surface cleaning method and machine
WO2009125048A1 (fr) Filtre d'extraction de liquide et procédé pour le nettoyer
JP2019042725A (ja) 土壌浄化システム
US6857162B1 (en) Cleaning and/or treatment device
DE69801308T2 (de) Apparat und Methode zum Reinigen von Wasser
KR101705493B1 (ko) 고회수율 및 고품질의 음식물 쓰레기 유분 분리 장치
WO2000073212A1 (fr) Procede d'elimination des saletes d'une solution souillee, mise en oeuvre du procede et appareils capables d'executer ce procede
JP4877466B2 (ja) 汚泥濃縮装置とこれの洗浄方法
KR101270065B1 (ko) 중금속 오염토양 세척방법
JPH0839097A (ja) 汚濁水浄化装置
JP2019103994A (ja) 土壌浄化システム
JP2019107635A (ja) 土壌浄化システム
JP2019107638A (ja) 土壌浄化システム
JP2019107640A (ja) 土壌浄化システム
JP4219509B2 (ja) 懸濁液濃縮方法及び濃縮装置
JPH07116418A (ja) 水域浄化装置および水域浄化方法
JP3376707B2 (ja) 水域浄化方法および水域浄化装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP