GB445037A - Improvements in and relating to the washing of motor cars and other vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

445,037. Purifying water. PERRETT, 1. G., 239, Acton Lane, Chiswick, London. Oct. 2, 1934, No. 28187. [Classes 46 and 111] In a method of recovering water used for washing vehicles, the wash-water is collected in a sump from which it is pumped automatically under control of the level of water in the sump and delivered through separating and filtering means to a tank for further use. In the construction shown, gullies a for collecting wash-water lead to a sump b comprising compartments provided with mud-catchers b<1>, the water passing alternately under and over vertical partitions b<2> and through a screen b<3> to a compartment b'. The mudcatchers may be removable. A pump c is adapted to be driven by an electric motor d to raise water from the compartment b<4> through a pipe c<1> and to deliver it to a separating chamber g. A float e in the compartment b<4> has a stem el with stops adapted to engage a switch lever f whereby the motor d is switched on when the water in the compartment reaches a certain level and switched off when the water reaches another lower level. The separating chambers g have conical lower ends in which impurities may precipitate, and a skimming device g<2> is adapted to discharge oil, &c. to a drain by a pipe g<3>. Sludge cocks g<4> are provided at the bottom of the separators with pipes g<5> leading to the drain. The water from the first separating chamber g flows into the second chamber by way of a pipe s<1> a trough s and a pipe s<2>. Water from the second chamber flows through a slot t into a third chamber which is provided with a roughing filter h consisting of two perforated plates separated by wood wool or like material. The chamber communicates by syphon pipe h<1> with the main filter chamber i, having a bed i<2> of sand or like material supported by a perforated plate i<3> below which is an outlet i<4> leading to a pipe j. This pipe is connected by a branch j<1> to a tank k for clean water, and is also connected to a storage tank l, the water from which may be used to clear the filter bed i<2>, when necessary, in conjunction with compressed air supplied through a connection 1<1>. The flushing water leaves the filter chamber by a pipe l<2> and may be recovered. Float-controlled means may be provided for cleansing the filter automatically. The tank k for clear water is preferably provided with a pump m for raising the water to a tank at higher level, from which car-washing hoses are supplied. The pump is driven by a motor controlled by a float-operated switch o. Chemicals such as lime or sodium carbonate and alum may be added to the water in the separating chambers, the chemicals being stored in containers p, q. Water is admitted to the containers from a tank r through adjustable valves p<1>, q<1>, the water displacing solution which flows through pipes p<2>, q<2> to the trough s. The tank r is fed from a pipe m<1> through a float-controlled cock r<1> so as to shut off the supply when the flow of wash-water ceases.