Tank cleaning technology

Problem

Agent Ryland Holmes of Virginia Public Works Equipment Co. in Ashland, Va., had municipal customers in the Tidewater area who were struggling with grease accumulating in their lift stations. They needed an effective solution that did not demand more manpower and reduced confined-space entries.

 

Solution

Gamajet Cleaning Systems gave Holmes a demonstration of a rotary impingement tank cleaning machine configured to operate with an 80 gpm/3,000 psi combination sewer cleaner from the City of Virginia Beach Department of Utilities. Other municipalities and sewer authorities attended.

Impingement cleaning uses a concentrated jetstream expelled in a controlled circular pattern. As flow and pressure increase, the radiating force of the liquid scours the vessel and provides a cascading rinse. The spray head, positioned in a wet well for the demonstration, finished the first 360-degree cycle in 12 minutes, leaving the entire surface clean. The grease, homogenized into a slurry, was suctioned into the combination truck or washed downstream.

 

Result

Tidewater authorities are staying ahead of grease buildups in their lift stations and providing better customer service. The work eliminates confined-space entry rigging, saving time and money. The cleaning machine works with standard jetters and combination sewer cleaners. 877/426-2538; www.gamajet.com.

 

Dedicated wet/dry machine

Problem

GAP Pollution and Environmental Control, with offices in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, had industrial customers with numerous jobs requiring waterblasting and vacuum equipment. On those occasions, GAP deployed a vacuum truck and a waterblaster, which required two technicians to operate each piece of equipment.

 

Solution

The company bought an HV-56 hydroexcavator from GapVax. The dedicated wet/dry machine required one operator and performed vacuuming and waterblasting, enabling the company to reduce its cost to customers. The machine has a 5,300 cfm/27-inches Hg vacuum blower discharging into a 15-cubic-yard debris tank.

A mechanically driven industrial triplex pump delivers 19 gpm/2,900 psi from the 1,000-gallon external freshwater tank, with optional flow rates of 3 to 40 gpm and hydraulically driven pressures up to 4,000 psi. Other features include a telescoping boom, reel with 100 feet of 1/2-inch hose (other hose sizes available), an unloader valve, and dedicated wet/dry single-mode vacuum filtration with six cyclones and 40 bags.

 

Result

The hydroexcavator helped the company remain competitive. 888/442-7829; www.gapvax.com.