WOODBRIDGE, VA, July 9, 2010 -- WeirWasher Automated Cleaning Systems by GillTrading.com Inc. were installed on the new Gravity Thickeners recently constructed at the H.L. Mooney Water Reclamation Facility to control sludge and other unwanted material accumulation. The improvement project was accomplished by Pizzigali Construction Company as designed by CDM. In tandem with this project, H.L. Mooney procured two additional WeirWasher spray systems for existing thickener tanks. Each additional unit was installed by Kappe & Assoc. Service dept. out of Maryland in 2008 and 2010.
Gravity Thickeners have a constant build up of heavy fouling material that reduces flow, cause odor concerns and may lead to short circuiting. Manual washing down of the material collection is a satisfactory method of control however this task has certain health and safety risks to staff and is a time consuming job required on a regular basis all year round. An automated washing system to control the debris collection is a practical solution that can meet the special requirements of a thickener.
The spray systems for the exiting thickeners were to replace the brush devices. The H.L. Mooney staff did not find that the sludge, scum and other materials were controlled well with the brushes as they required much cleaning and other maintenance. The WeirWasher's non contact cleaning method was a better choice for the constant collection of debris on the weirs, scum baffle, brackets and other collection surfaces. As the existing thickeners are covered the staff found the amount of time necessary to maintain the brushes was not practical for the environment so the low maintenance spray system was piloted in 2008. The H.L. Mooney staff found the WeirWasher, ACS eliminated staff cleaning maintenance during the pilot year, reducing the time of the staff in the tank and improving safety. An additional benefit of the WeirWasher is it is solenoid controlled and fully automated from outside of the tank, unlike the brushes which require a person to engage or disengage them in the tank, again reducing time in the covered tank area.
The WeirWasher spray systems supplied for the H.L. Mooney existing covered tank applications were also designed with both a center feed well spray and bottom spray attachments. The center feed well sprayer was added to prevent material from collecting in the influent well area which was in turn causing floating debris to foul the entire tank surface. Utilizing both the center feed well sprayer and the launder sprayer resulted in full tank surface suppression and control of fouling materials. The bottom sprayer attachment when used in conjunction with the center feed well and launder sprayer headers will pre clean the tank before staff entry. Again saving time and improving safety by minimizing staff time in the confined space area. For additional information and video of the WeirWasher Automated Cleaning Systems or other automated control systems to tackle foam, grease, algae, pulp or other unwanted debris please visit www.weirwasher.com or call 866.447.2496.
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