WRS-180 Water Reclaim

Johnson Wash Systems, LLC

Vehicle Wash Water Reclaim/Recycle System Designs

Above Ground Pumping and Storage vs. In Ground Pumping and Storage

The most successful and least maintenance vehicle wash water treatment and reclaim systems utilize gravity and time for proper settling of solids.  The water reclaim pit design includes a series of settling compartments which allow the solids to be settled by gravity in a predictable location and then be removed by a sewer/vacuum truck. The settled water is held in a clean water in-ground holding tank that is then used by a high pressure/high volume wash pump to clean a vehicle in the wash bay.

System Design 1

This design uses a surface/skid mounted 7.5 HP sump pump to pull water through a stainless steel intake screen placed in the clean water holding pit and push the water through a tank mounted cyclonic separator at 14 PSI and 320 GPM.

The filter screen is automatically purged using an air compressor designed to back flush the screen from any particles which accumulate on the screen surface.

The water is then directed to a cone bottom storage tank at high volume and low pressure.

The water used by multi-stage 75 HP surface/skid mounted high pressure pump is drawn from the center of the holding tank by using a series of elbows and tees for the high pressure pump intake line. The 75 HP pump sprays water through the spinner arch at a rate of 15 GPM/300 PSI per spinner.

A separate 2 HP circulation pump runs 24/7/365 in order to remove debris which accumulates in the low pressure cyclonic separator and cone bottom tank. The 2 HP pump also uses a Mazzei air injector on the discharge line to provide dissolved oxygen to the primary reclaim water holding pit so that water does not become stagnant and debris removed from the above ground system can be re-settled through the primary in ground settling area.

System Design 2

This design uses a 75 HP vertical turbine pump which pumps water directly from the clean water settling pit. The 75 HP pump discharges the water at 300 PSI/300 GPM through a basket strainer and velocity separator directly to the spinner arch at a rate of 15 GPM/300 PSI per spinner.

The basket strainer removes any debris larger than 1/4” and the velocity separator further removes 98.6% of debris larger than 75 micron. When the wash system is not cleaning a vehicle in the wash bay the 75 HP pump slows to a 20% duty cycle and diverts the water through a three way valve and Mazzei air injector to the primary in ground settling pit. This pump is programmed to run at a 20% duty cycle for 5 minutes for every 20 minutes that a vehicle is not being washed. This is in order to provide dissolved oxygen to the primary and secondary settling pits which reduces, and can eliminate, odor from anaerobic bacteria in the reclaim holding pits.

If a vehicle requires washing while the circulation program is running the pump ramps to full speed and diverts the water automatically to the spinner arch and washes the vehicle.

If a vehicle requires washing while the pump is stopped the 75 HP VTP soft starts to full speed and then resumes to an additional 5 minute circulation program in order to anticipate another vehicle wash and not to exceed the manufacturers 8 start per hour recommendation.

Both systems provide adequate debris removal for the wash water to be used with high volume spray arches utilizing spinners and/or static nozzles.

Both systems can provide good quality reuse water for vehicle cleaning purposes when operated as designed.

Pros and Cons:

System Design 1 Pros:

  • Has been proven and used successfully on nearly a thousand applications.
  • Stand alone reclaim system which can utilize many different application pump flow rates and pressures for many different vehicle wash applications.

System Design 1 Cons:

  • Multiple pumping systems which can fail due to seal failure.
  • Starts/washes per hour can easily exceed motor manufacturers recommendation.
  • Air compressor/filter purge which can fail.
  • Added cost/electrical equipment for additional pumps.
  • Added costs/electrical equipment for VFD systems.

System Design 2 Pros:

  • Has been proven and used successfully in thousands of applications for many different industries.
  • One pump, three start per hour design eliminates multiple hourly starts beyond motor manufacturer recommendation.
  • No seals are used in the VTP; seal failure is eliminated.
  • Infinite pump speed settings within operational curve built into standard system.
  • Air compressor not needed.
  • 30% of above ground space required as compared to above ground system.
  • Provides for ideal installation and maintenance space.
  • Less expensive ancillary water treatment systems.

Systems Design 2 Cons:

  • Manual strainer basket cleaning required when pressure differential is recorded on control package.
  • More expensive main pump system.