Wastewater resulting from the use of wash systems and high pressure cleaners can be re-used with Kärcher recycling systems. Kärcher manufactures a number of water recycling units that can be broadly split into two types:
- Systems for oil free Wash Water. These environmentally friendly and economical Kärcher treatment systems for wastewater save up to 80 % of fresh water and 70% of the cleaning agent used in engine and vehicle washes.
- Systems for oily Wash Water – these save large amounts of fresh water: Kärcher has developed suitable treatment systems for vehicle wash systems. This makes oil-contaminated water re-useable.
There are several water recycling units under each of the above two broad categories, and some of these are briefly described below.
One example of a water recycling unit that treats wash water with a physical filtration so that it can be reused in further wash processes. In this way the consumption of fresh water is reduced by up to 85 %. It is only necessary to use fresh water for rinsing processes and adding care products of the vehicle wash plant. Depending on legal requirements excess water is discharged either directly or via an oil separator into the public sewage system. If required, it can be discharged directly to sewer from the wash water holding tank.
The application of a water recycling unit in combination with professional high pressure cleaner leads to decisive advantages. Use of a water recycling unit permits savings of up to 85% for fresh water and detergents for vehicle and engine washes. Using a water recycling unit for a high pressure cleaner makes cleaning even more effective and environmentally friendly. Wash water arising from the car wash, engine wash or from parts cleaning first passes through a sludge trap to remove solid particles and is then treated in a water recycling unit in such a way that it can be reused for the washing process.