Miljöanpsassad metod för hjultvätt
Wheel washVehicle washHeavy metalsFlocculationWashing methodHjultvättFordonstvättTungmetallerFlockningTvättmetodUppströmsarbete
In order to avoid harmful substances ending up at the municipal sewage treatment plants, it is important to purify the wastewater at the source. One such source is the wheel washers available in many tire garages which are used to wash the wheels on our vehicles when we change between summer and winter tires. It is important to wash the wheels before storage, to extend the tires lifetime. The purpose of this study is to find a green innovative solution for reduction of emissions of heavy metals at the source, so that the sludge from the sewage treatment plants can be used as fertilizer. The target is to find a wheel wash method which leads to compliance with the guidelines for car washers, and that also provides a better washing result than with the existing method. Chemical analyzes of water samples have been performed and the cleanliness of the wheels has been checked visually. As there are no specific emission requirements for wheel washes, the results have mainly been compared with current guidelines for vehicle washes. A new washing and flocculation method have been developed during the study. The proposed new method is suitable as pretreatment of the water before discharging it, as it reduces metal emissions and provides better washing results compared to the old method. Significantly larger number of wheels may be washed in one session, which leads to a reduction of water- and energy consumption since the machine can be emptied and cleaned less often. For many years there has been an environmental adaption to eco-friendly car washers, so the opportunities should be good for wheel washers to win goodwill and market advantages by being profiled with an environmentally adapted washing method.