Drive-through Sprayer Wash Tower with Recycled Runoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for washing agricultural chemical application equipment are cumbersome, time-consuming, and expose individuals to harmful chemicals, while also risking water and land pollution due to improper handling and spills during loading and washing.
Innovation Solution
A spray-powered washing and filling station that integrates a loading pad with a chemical fill station, featuring upright towers and nozzles as fluid conduits, allowing for simultaneous filling and rinsing, with a sump to collect and recycle runoff, minimizing environmental exposure and reducing manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a power washer with hand-controlled sprayer is used to wash chemical sprayer, then the chemical sprayer can be washed, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming requiring upwards of three hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the chemical sprayer to be washed automatically by the spray system without requiring manual operation of a power washer. The sprayer drives through the spray zone and is automatically rinsed, eliminating the need for operators to manually control a power washer and reducing labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a high-pressure spray system with multiple nozzles positioned to rinse the chemical sprayer automatically. The hydraulic spray system delivers water at sufficient pressure to remove chemical residue efficiently, replacing the manual power washer operation with an automated spray mechanism.
2Productivity
If high pressure liquid is used to wash chemical sprayer, then residue can be removed, but the liquid may uncontrollably deflect off the chemical sprayer exposing individuals to harmful chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The loading pad and washing area are merged into a single integrated location with a common containment area. The spray system is positioned to rinse the sprayer in a controlled manner, and the containment structure captures runoff, preventing chemical exposure risks while maintaining effective residue removal.
Solution Approach 2:
A containment structure acts as an intermediary between the high-pressure spray system and the environment. The containment area captures and controls the runoff from the high-pressure rinse, preventing uncontrolled deflection of chemical-laden liquid while allowing effective cleaning to occur.
3Productivity
If chemicals are loaded and washed in the same location near water supply, then operational efficiency is improved, but the risk of introducing chemicals into water supply and harming water and land resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading pad and washing area are combined in the same location with a common containment structure. This integration allows efficient transitions between loading and washing operations while the containment system captures and controls all runoff, preventing environmental pollution despite the consolidated location.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment structure captures and recovers the wash runoff, preventing it from entering the environment. The system holds the contaminated water in a contained area, allowing for proper disposal or treatment, thereby eliminating the pollution risk associated with combining loading and washing operations in the same location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently removes residue from vehicles in less time with reduced manual labor, minimizing chemical exposure and environmental impact by using a modular, interchangeable design that collects and recycles chemical runoff, thus protecting water and land resources.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzles may be arranged linearly along a length of the vertical members of each the plurality of upright towers also being fluid conduits. The nozzles may create an intersecting spray pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved vehicle washing apparatus includes a plurality of upright tower sections. Each of the upright tower sections has a plurality of elongated tubular members. A horizontal section having a plurality of elongated tubular members connects the upright tower sections. At least two of the elongated tubular members of the upright tower sections and the horizontal section are configured to be conduits of liquid to supply liquid to a plurality of nozzles disposed on at least two of the elongated tubular members of each of the upright tower sections and the horizontal section. An undercarriage apparatus may apply liquid to the underside of the agricultural vehicle. A chemical fill station may be provided along with a loading pad on which to position the agricultural vehicle during a cleaning process and a chemical fill process.