WO2001003859A1

WO2001003859A1 - A system for a washing plant

Info

Publication number: WO2001003859A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/001345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Rising; Ken Petersson
Original assignee: Snöland AB
Priority date: 1999-07-12
Filing date: 2000-06-26
Publication date: 2001-01-18
Also published as: WO2001003859A8; SE9902662L; AU6191600A; SE9902662D0; EP1194250A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for mixing and metering washing chemicals and water. In accordance with the invention, the aforementioned mixing takes place locally and in conjunction with the washing requirement and is based on a small number of basic concentrates (2-5), from which, after the addition of water, a larger number of washing chemicals with different compositions can be mixed and, if appropriate, metered, having regard for the actual washing situation. The aforementioned mixing and metering is controlled by a local computer (24), the instructions for which can be transmitted from another centrally located computer (25) which is capable, at the same time, of collecting information from the aforementioned local computer in respect of the executed mixing and metering.

Description

A system for a washing plant.

The present invention relates to a system for a washing system which is so arranged as to be used industrially, preferably in a vehicle washing plant, a tank cleaning plant for boats or a cleaning plant for food pipes and vessels, which comprises a number of different chemicals and fluids so arranged as to be supplied for the subsequent metering of the same.

Chemicals are becoming an increasingly active and significant component in all kinds of washing and cleaning applications. It is becoming increasingly important for the washing result, the cost and the environment, therefore, to select the correct mix of washing chemicals in an appropriate dose before each washing situation. This often requires access to a very wide range of ready-mixed chemical products with associated high handling costs at every stage. Not least, it also means that a large amount of water is transported with the products, which gives poorer transport economy and a lower environmental index. A further consideration is the administration which results from official requirements in respect of chemical products. The range is limited in practice, which very often leads to under- etering or over-metering with poorer results or a poorer economy and environment as a consequence.

At the same time, it is possible to produce a large number of these chemical products on the basis of a smaller number of chemical concentrates.

In the case of previously disclosed car washing plants, for example, the owner of the washing plant is already supplied with containers containing a mixture of chemicals and water in predetermined concentrations, i.e. they are already mixed at the time of delivery to the owner of the car wash plant in large, heavy, bulky vessels. This requires many such cumbersome vessels to be handled in a long supply chain. It is also not readily possible to change the rate of feed of the chemicals, for example to avoid wasting environmentally unfriendly chemicals during periods of fine weather, as well as costly chemicals, or if road works are present on neighbouring stretches of road or in poor weather conditions, which requires heavy salting of the roads. The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to solve the aforementioned problem by simple and effective means .

The aforementioned object is achieved by means of a system in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that the chemicals in question consist of concentrates, in that the chemical concentrates are contained in separate vessels, in that a line connects each concentrate vessel to a desired mixing container, in that a water line is so arranged as to supply water to each of the aforementioned mixing vessels, in that each mixing vessel is connected via lines to intended feed points, for example feed nozzles, in that means are provided for feeding mixed chemical concentrates and water from the aforementioned mixing containers, and in that a computer is connected to a number of valves for each vessel and container to provide the desired feed of the desired quantity, level and mix of water and chemicals from the aforementioned chemical concentrates and water supply line.

The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates the constituent components of the system in schematic form; and

Fig. 2 illustrates the system in a little more detail. A local chemical server, in the form of a closed, computerized mixing and metering system, can be provided with a small number of basic concentrates and situation-specific instructions for the finished mixing and, if appropriate, the metering of a larger number of final washing chemicals. The required product range is reduced in this way to the constituent basic concentrates, and the work and the cost of handling a number of different products is reduced at every stage. Moreover, the main quantity of water is added locally, which improves the environmental index of the final product and reduces its associated transport and storage cost.

By remote control of the chemical server, for example via the Internet, it is also possible to provide the server with appropriate instructions from a central expert system with associated databases. All recipe formulations can be changed rapidly in this way, and new final products can be produced. A readily accessible interface is also available via the Internet and a centrally located Web server, where users can configure the chemical server and monitor its function and the consumption of basic concentrate.

An automatically functioning system 1 in accordance with the present invention is a mixing system which functions as a computerized mixing system and is so arranged a-s to be capable of connection to any car wash plant, i.e. both high- pressure, brush and combination machines. The system is so arranged as to comprise a number of different desired chemical concentrates, such as: concentrated asphalt remover 2, tenside concentrate 3, alkali concentrate 4 and wax concentrate 5. Water 7 and, if appropriate, other liquids are also so- arranged as to be supplied to the system l and supplied. for the purpose of being fed to the intended feeding points/ preferably via intended nozzles 8-12 adapted for the purpose.

The invention is also applicable to other industrial washing plants, although essentially for vehicle washing plants for cars, trains and aircraft, tank cleaning plants for boats and cleaning plants for food lines and vessels in the food industry.

In accordance with the present invention, the chemicals 2-5 in question consist of concentrates, each of which is contained in its own separate vessel 13-16. The vessels 13-16 are connected via lines 17 to feed nozzles 8-12 intended for the purpose or for some other feeding of chemicals and liquid. A water line 18 is so arranged as to supply water to each of the mixing containers 19-22. A computer 24 is connected for the purpose of controlling the desired quantity of chemical concentrate 2-5 and water 7 fed via each mixing container 19-22. A line 50-53 connects each of the concentrate vessels 13-16 to the desired mixing containe (s) 19-22.

Connected to the computer 24 is a number of different mixing recipes intended to cover a number of different washing situations, which are adapted, for example, for different washing plants and washing situations. A GSM link is so arranged as to communicate information to the aforementioned system 1 in respect of the weather and road conditions, etc., for the intended areas where the system 1 is used, and to communicate information from the system 1 in respect of its status and consumption, etc.

The computer 24 is connected to a panel 33, which is so arranged as to display the status of the plant 34 in question in order to inform the owner of the system 1 continuously about its status and the rate of consumption of the various chemicals 2-5.

. The communications link 32 is preferably so arranged as to be connected to a centrally located server 25 to provide remote control of the system 1 by authorized persons. The water line 18 is also provided with a connected check valve so arranged as to prevent chemicals from being sucked back into the mains water supply.

The following is a brief description of the present automatic metering system:

Definition of the system

The present automatic system is a computerized mixing system 1, which, by combining a small number of super- concentrates, can supply a car wash with the right level and mix of all the chemicals that are required.

How the metering system works

The computer 24 contains a number of recipe books which cover all conceivable types of machine and washing situations. Once a recipe book has been selected, the computer will control the mixing procedure so that the machine has access to a number of very precisely defined mixes .

The system with its recipe books means that all products are constantly accessible in all desired concentrations without anyone having to change over .the containers in the chemical storage room. A change of recipe can actually be implemented within four washes, i.e. it is easy to change the entire chemical mix in the event of a change in the weather. Since all consumption details are recorded in a log, it is also easy to monitor the consumption/cost per wash continuously.

System maintenance The system is easy to maintain by the operator, because a small panel will be provided at a suitable place, which gives an indication of when it is time to top up with super-concentrate (a warning about replacement will be given in good time beforehand) . The fact that the system also has its own automatic troubleshooting check and is of modular construction means that the operating accessibility will be very high.

Installation / Safety The system consists of a cabinet suitable for standing on the floor or wall-mounting. Connection is to an earthed 220 V supply. Other connections are an incoming fresh water supply and outlets to the machine (4-6, depending on the type of machine) . All electrical equipment is CE- arked. All the equipment is powered internally with 24 V, and the 220 V side is also fitted with an earth leakage circuit breaker. The water side is fitted with back-suction protection to prevent the leakage of chemicals into the mains water supply in the event of a sudden drop in pressure. The system does not require electrical connection to the washing machine .

Advantages achieved with this system

- Flexible: A small number of chemical super-concentrates 2 gives many combinations with a rapid change facility.

- Safe : High operating accessibility is assured by the indication of both faults and when topping up is necessary.

- Convenient: The small number of super-concentrates reduces the handling of chemicals, e.g. at the petrol station.

- Economical : Chemical costs are reduced by always using the right substance in the right dose at the right time. - .Envi onmental: The load on the environment is reduced considerably by lowering over-metering and the use of excessively strong concentrations. The super-concentrates also give a reduced transport load per wash. The system can also provide a connectable platform for other systems, such as cleaning systems and washing machines. Connected systems then have access to the same facilities in respect of local fault reporting, logging of operating data, transmission to a central server and, if appropriate, remote control.

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodiments of the system described above and illustrated in the drawings, but may be varied within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. System (1) for a washing system so arranged as to be used industrially, preferably in a vehicle washing plant, a tank cleaning plant for boats or a cleaning plant for food pipes and vessels, which comprises a number of different chemicals (2-5) and fluids (7) so arranged as to be supplied for the subsequent feeding (8-12) of the same, characterized in that the chemicals (2-5) in question consist of concentrates, in that the chemical concentrates are contained in separate vessels (13-16), in that a line (50-53) connects each concentrate vessel (13-16) to a desired mixing container (19-22), in that a water line (18) is so arranged as to supply water (7) to each of the aforementioned mixing vessels (19-22), in that each mixing vessel (19-22) is connected via lines (17) to intended feed points, for example feed nozzles (8-12), in that means are provided for feeding mixed chemical concentrates (2-5) and water (7) from the aforementioned mixing containers (19-22), and in that a computer (24) is connected to a number of valves (25-31) for each vessel (13- 16) and container (19-22) to provide the desired feed of the desired quantity, level and mix of water (7) and chemicals (2-5) from the aforementioned chemical concentrate and water supply line (18) .

2. System in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that connected to the computer (24) is a number of different mixing recipes intended to cover a number of different washing situations, which are adapted, for example, -to different washing plants and washing situations

3. System in accordance with Patent Claim 2, characterized in that connected to the computer (24) is a communications link (32), such as a GSM link, which is so arranged as to communicate information to the aforementioned system (1) in respect of the weather and road conditions, etc., for the intended areas where the system (1) is used, and to communicate information from the system (1) in respect of its status and consumption, etc. . System in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 2-3, characterized in that the computer (24) is connected to a panel (33), which is so arranged as to display the status of the plant (34) in question in order to inform the owner of the system about its function and the rate of consumption of the various chemicals (2/5) .

5. System in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 3-4, characterized in that the communications link (32) is so arranged as to be connected to a centrally located computer (25) to provide remote control by authorized persons.

6. System in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the water line (18) has connected into it a check valve so arranged as to prevent chemicals from being sucked back into the mains water supply. 7. System in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the aforementioned mixing and metering is controlled by a local computer (24), th ^'instructions for which can be transmitted from another centrally located computer (25) which is capable, at the same time, of collecting information from the aforementioned local computer (24) in respect of the executed mixing and metering.