EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT | OCTOBER 2024 Fluid Recovery

by maryt@americanrecycler.com

Safety, efficiency and profitability are all important factors in the optimum processing of refuse autos. Crow Environmental offers single bay, between lift or rack systems and custom built systems for fluid removal. “Our single bay system uses a scissor lift, so the vehicle is loaded at a low level for safety. Fluid removal, whether under the hood or under the vehicle, can be performed by one person. The total process takes about 13 to 15 minutes. We also offer the MIDI system, which fits between two post lifts or stationary rack systems. For rack use, we offer our split system. The split system is designed for rack use. Custom systems are available as well,” noted Mason Smith, vice president, U.S. sales.

Crow Environmental

All Crow systems pull fluids from vehicles and then pump them directly to storage tanks. This is safe, clean and efficient as there is no repeated handling of the fluids removed, which minimizes work area exposure to fluid leakage. Crow systems are also designed to optimize work space accessibility for users, which can increase overall efficiency.

According to Smith, “Domestic regulations regarding vehicle fluid handling are always evolving, it is the same with European standards and staying current with regulation compliance is key. Waste fluid storage practices are also important and UL approved tanks should be used along with an automatic over-fill protection system.

“Since 2001, Crow has offered industry leading fluid extraction equipment with ATEX compliant gasoline extraction. We also offer tire removal machines, CAT shears, CAT de-canners, car wire harness copper granulators and an engine breaking line. All of our equipment can be purchased individually or as a complete package, including installation.”

Iron Ax has manufactured the Enviro Rack for over 20 years. John Kitchens, president, explained, “We produce a wide range of products used in scrap metal and dismantling operations and we developed the Enviro Rack for use in our own scrap yards. After we were satisfied with the product, we introduced it to the marketplace. It is an essential tool when it comes to fluid recovery and is 100 percent powered by air for safety. A fully self-contained unit that features secondary containment, it is designed for either one or two person operation. All vehicle fluids can be captured while keeping the operator safe and clean. The Enviro Rack is portable, EPA and state level compliant and features gas separation and antifreeze separation. Using the gas separation system, the operator can easily separate the good gas from the bad. The Enviro Rack requires very little maintenance because it will never require a pump replacement and a car can be processed in an average of five minutes. Upon delivery the Enviro Rack can be fully operational and ready to use in as few and 15 minutes!”

Iron Ax

Kitchens also mentioned that groundwater contamination can be a daily concern for yard owners and operators. “One of the biggest sources of contamination can be from ELV fluid removal. If a company doesn’t use equipment designed for this task, they will usually have a homemade system. Those systems may get the job done, but does that mean they are compliant? No it doesnʼt. It seems that now, even in remote areas, inspections are being increased. Compliance with EPA and state level regulations is a must if you are going to stay in business. Businesses should be proactive in how the issue is managed and not wait until a compliance citation is issued.”

Superior Recycling Solutions (SRS) manufactures end-of-life vehicle recycling equipment. “We serve a myriad of industries, including high-volume scrap facilities, full-service vehicle dismantlers, self-service parts yards, and automotive repair shops. Our products serve high volume parts and scrap facilities, which process hundreds of vehicles each day to premium dismantling operations, which process a hand full of vehicles daily,” said Michael Copt, owner.

Superior Recycling Solutions

SRS patented recovery systems range from full tilt/roll vehicle lifts, designed for the ultimate in processing efficiency, to portable fluid recovery systems built with convenience in mind. “Regardless of what you choose from our product line, you’ll find top quality equipment built in the U.S. and designed to withstand the rigors of your industry. We engineer our products to include safe, ergonomic user features with a focus on employee safety and strict adherence to EPA compliance for the business owner. You’ll find our processing equipment second to none when it comes to recovering oil, antifreeze, gasoline, and other hazardous fluids from your vehicles. Our separator systems technology automatically separates mixed fluids, to further increase profitability by allowing you to reuse or sell your recovered and processed fluids.”

Copt continued, “Our products utilize industry-leading automatic pumping technology, giving you the most powerful extraction tool with nearly double the cycle rate of traditional pumps. SRS Fluid Recovery Systems are built to last and are specifically designed for the automotive recycling industry using the highest quality components. Because time is something you can never get back, SRS products are built industry tough, to save you lots of it. For over 30 years, we have offered products designed by professional auto recyclers for professional auto recyclers. We welcome you to explore our line of industry leading equipment at our website.”

Nigel Dove, chief executive officer of Vortex De-Pollution, explained that “Vortex offers solutions that are not only tough, but remarkably user-friendly as well. Unlike traditional fluid recovery methods that use collection pans under their systems – which can be a fire hazard – our equipment utilizes advanced sealing technologies that tightly adhere to vehicles, significantly minimizing drips and leaks. Fluids are efficiently pumped away from the drain area into secure storage tanks, ensuring controlled and safe fluid transfer at all times. Our product line includes comprehensive vehicle processing equipment. Beyond the fluid recovery range, our cutting-edge, Vulture vehicle processor excels in dismantling vehicles, extracting engines, separating aluminum using our specialized engine cracker, and processing components such as catalytic converters, radiators, and wire harnesses. We even offer capabilities to bale or log vehicle shells, maximizing the recovery of valuable materials.

Vortex De-pollution

“Catering to a diverse clientele, from service auto parts companies to metal recycling facilities, Vortex remains at the forefront in offering a dedicated range of products, designed to meet the specific needs of those markets. Our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and safety continues to drive us forward, ensuring that our customers receive nothing less than the best in vehicle processing solutions,” Dove stated.

Since their start in 2003, Vortex has met the rigorous standards of the UK ELV regulations. After moving operations entirely to the U.S. in 2010, the company has continued to innovate and manufacture a robust range of equipment to meet those same high standards.