EQUIPMENT FEATURE
Cleaning Public Spaces … Keeping it Legal As our cities and towns grow, local government faces continued pressure to provide a safe and pleasant environment for the public. High pressure steam cleaning of pavements, plazas, even graffiti removal can create breaches of EPA regulations. By definition, the EPA act prohibits, “… introducing any matter into waters which changes the physical, chemical or biological condition of the water.” In other words, any contaminated wastewater that enters storm water drains is a breach. Analysis of breaches indicates that some local government bodies or their contractors have been forced to pay substantial fines for illegal disposal of the contaminated wastewater from high-pressure cleaning operations into the water catchment. The help overcome these issues, Sydneybased company, Australian Pump Industries, has developed a machine designed to allow high pressure steam cleaning of streetscapes to be carried out, without allowing the run-off to enter the stormwater system. Known as the Aussie Hydro-Loop, the new machine uses ‘clean & capture’ technology that captures the wastewater generated during pressure cleaning of flat or vertical surfaces – vacuuming it into the machine, where it is then filtered and reused. The Aussie HydroLoop allows cityscapes including plazas and outdoor eating areas to be cleaned easily and efficiently using high pressure steam, without any contaminated wastewater run-off. Available as either a trailer or truck-mounted system, the new machine incorporates a minimum 1,000 litre capacity water tank. The steam cleaner itself and an integrated 14
Waste + Water Management Australia | March/April 2020
The Aussie Hydro-Loop from Australian Pump Industries features “clean and capture” technology which allows wastewater run-off generated during cleaning operations to be vacuumed back into the machine, filtered and recycled.
vacuum system becomes a mobile cleaning station that reuses its own captured water to carry out the cleaning tasks. The main drive for the system is a watercooled Kubota diesel engine. A top quality ‘Big Berty’ Bertolini triplex high-pressure pump, providing 4,000 psi and 20 lpm flow, is at the heart of the system. The best news for Councils is that even under the new Australian standards for high pressure water blaster safety, operators of the “loop” do not require RTO certification. “We’ve designed this machine with Councils and government departments in mind,” said Aussie Pumps’ Chief Engineer, John Hales. “Contractors use the unit because of its unique loop system that leaves the job completely clean without polluting the environment." The strength of the system is not only its high pressure, but the fact that the unit can operate with water temperatures of up to 120 degrees Celsius, providing the operator with the flexibility to select the temperature required for the job. “When temperature is applied with pressure to graffiti it just peels off the wall,” Hales added. “Other jobs like sanitising amenity areas and sports facilities, or removing oil stains from Council operated car parks or streetscapes are also easy due to the machine’s high steam capabilities.” Easy to use and maintain, the unit’s clean and capture filters can be changed out in the field in a matter of minutes if they become blocked half way through a job.
LOW NOISE OPERATION Specifically designed for inner-urban and CBD use, the latest version of the Aussie Hydro-Loop high pressure cleaning system operates at 75 dbA. Chores like cleaning of the Sydney Opera House forecourt or the back alleys around night-clubs in the CBD, can all be carried out without disturbing residents, even at night. Importantly, silencing is not achieved by the machine being cased in a large soundproof box. Rather, a high-tech engineering approach has been used to develop stainless steel panels that absorb the noise without creating a danger of overheating. “The real benefit of the Hydro-Hush system is that we can provide low noise levels, while at the same time not run the risk of breakdowns caused by a lack of airflow in and around the machine,” said Hales. The Aussie Hydro-Loop not only operates quietly but, it also enables the work to be carried out quickly, thoroughly, and without leaving streaks. Where vertical cleaning is concerned, a supplied berm is used to dam the wastewater. It then is vacuumed up into the filtration system and reused. “The Aussie Hydro-Loop is a revolution,” said Hales. “It provides huge labour savings but also, more importantly, enables local government bodies and their contractors to comply with the EPA’s strict requirements,” he added. Further information, including a comprehensive info pack on the Aussie HydroLoop is available from the Australian Pump Industries website: www.aussiepumps.com.au
