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Vehicle Wash Water Recycling
Phase Separation & Oil Water

Vehicle Wash Water Recycling

Recycling car wash and light vehicle wash water using staged CPI separation, coalescing polishing, and activated carbon polishing to cut fresh water purchase and sewer discharge by 50 to 70 percent.

The Challenge
Car wash facilities use 100 to 200 litres of fresh water per vehicle. At 200 to 500 vehicles per day the water bill becomes significant; tighter municipal sewer discharge limits add a discharge cost on top. Recycling addresses both.
Quick Answer

Vehicle wash water recycling recovers 50 to 70 percent of the car wash water for reuse on the next vehicle, cutting the operator fresh water purchase and the municipal sewer discharge equally. A compact skid stages CPI separation, coalescing polishing, and activated carbon polishing to deliver reuse quality water at the wash bay.

Vehicle Wash Water Recycling

Car Wash Water Use and the Recycling Economics

A modern automatic car wash uses 100 to 200 litres of fresh water per vehicle. At a busy site processing 300 to 500 vehicles per day the daily water consumption reaches 50 to 100 cubic metres; the annual water bill plus the sewer discharge cost together justify a recycling skid that recovers 50 to 70 percent of the water for reuse. Payback is typically under 24 months at the prevailing water and sewer tariffs in most jurisdictions.

Three Stage Recycling Skid

The SorbiTech vehicle wash water recycling skid stages a CPI oil water separator for the bulk free oil, a coalescing polishing element for the dispersed oil, and a polishing layer of activated carbon for the residual hydrocarbons and detergent residue. The treated water meets the contracted reuse quality for the wash brushes and pressure washers.

Vehicle Wash Water Recycling process equipment

Compact Skid Fits the Wash Bay Footprint

Car wash sites are space constrained; the skid is built to fit a 20 foot ISO container footprint with tie in at standard ANSI 150 flanges. Installation by SorbiTech takes 2 to 5 days from site delivery to commissioned operation, with the wash bay continuing to operate during installation by drainage to the existing municipal sewer.

Lifecycle and Service

Daily operator routine is limited to a visual check on the differential pressure across the coalescer. SorbiTech maintains the spare parts forward inventory at the regional service centre; quarterly element replacement takes 30 to 60 minutes by site labour. Sector coverage is vehicle services and transport.

Selection Guidance

Compact wash water recycling skid (CPI plus coalescer plus carbon). Sized for the daily wash count and the storage tank capacity. Payback typically under 24 months at prevailing water and sewer tariffs.

A Specified, Verified Solution

Define the duty

We capture your process conditions: flow, composition, pressure, temperature, and the target outlet specification.

Select media & configuration

Our engineers recommend the adsorbent grade and system type that meet the duty with margin.

Size & engineer

Bed sizing, vessel design, and cycle parameters are engineered to your case and documented for approval.

Commission & verify

We support loading, start up, and performance verification against the guarantee.

Specify a Solution for This Application

Provide your process conditions and our team will recommend the grade, configuration, and sizing.