FR2630385A1 - Device for decontaminating vehicles subjected to contamination, particularly from toxic fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

The device according to the invention comprises an enclosure 2, 5, 26, 27, means 18, 19, 21, 21' making it possible to spray onto a vehicle located inside the enclosure 2, 5, 26, 27 a treatment fluid capable of rapidly dissolving contaminating products present on the said vehicle, means for recovering the polluted fluid after spraying, means making it possible to purify this fluid and means making it possible to recycle this purified fluid. This device is in the form of an open-out container provided with means allowing it to be handled and transported on vehicles.

Description

DEVICE FOR THE DECONTAMINATION OF MACHINERY SUBJECT TO A
CONTAMINATION IN PARTICULAR BY TOXIC FLUIDS.

The present invention relates to a device for the decontamination of machines such as military vehicles or aircraft subjected to contamination, for example of the type produced by toxic combat fluids.

 In general, we know that the study of a high capacity decontamination system cannot be done without the analysis of all the constraints and, in particular, those related to the environment, to chemical contamination, the devices to be decontaminated and the autonomy of the device.

Thus, for example, in the case of combat gases used in the context of an armed conflict, the constraints linked to the environment necessarily include - strategic data implying that the device
can be placed near the battle lines and
can be easily moved to follow the evolution of
fronts - geographic data: locations of areas
contamination being unpredictable, it is therefore advisable to
design an autonomous device that can be moved using
usual means of air or land transport and
can be installed on all types of land, as well
on hilly places than on relatively soils
furniture - climatic data such as temperature, humidity
wind, atmospheric pressure: as such, the
device must be designed so that it can be
used in the widest possible temperature range
ble (which excludes water as a decontamination agent
which manages at low temperatures).

The constraints related to chemical contamination relate to the characteristics and properties of the contaminating agent.

It turns out that these contaminating agents generally have a low evaporation rate with a high boiling temperature. They are also not very soluble in water and have a high surface tension. In view of the fact that these characteristics make their elimination difficult, the choice of a decontamination agent and of an application method is made particularly difficult.

In addition, because of their relatively high surface tension, the contaminating agents are impregnated in the materials of the contaminated machines, in a very fast time and proportional to the temperature. This therefore involves the design of a decontamination system, the movement and implementation of which are automatic and automated in order to begin decontamination operations as soon as possible.

The decontamination system must also be usable with vehicles of very varied shape and size, which increases the difficulties of application of the depolluting agent (for example by jets of fluid) as well as the consumption of this agent. .

As previously mentioned, the decontamination device must have complete autonomy, both from an energy point of view and from the elements that it uses, to allow its use on isolated sites devoid of all sources of energy and elements for example water necessary for its operation. This autonomy problem is all the more difficult to solve since the capacity and the processing rate of this device must be relatively high.

To try to solve these problems, several solutions have already been proposed.

One of these solutions consists in removing toxic products by the effect of powerful jets, generally heated water and added chemical solutions facilitating the stability of the jets and the detachment of toxic liquids.

However, this solution does not make it possible to solve, in a satisfactory manner, the problem of the zones inaccessible by the jets and that of the re-adhesion of the toxic substances on the surfaces after cleaning. In addition, the addition of surfactant to water to destroy the balance of surface tension requires a relatively slow reaction time under the jet, without this significantly reducing the effectiveness of the jet cleaning. improved. It is clear, moreover, that this solution involves large quantities of liquid and is energetically very expensive, which goes against the desired autonomy of the device.

Another solution consists in raising the temperature of the contaminating liquid directly on the support to transform it into vapor phase or to degrade it under the effect of the temperature. However, this solution is not well suited because of its large energy needs and the fact that many parts of the machines to be treated do not accept such high temperatures (above 1000C).

Another solution is to reduce the dangerous effects of contamination by dilution and reaction with chemical decontamination solutions. This solution is also to be excluded from the fact that - the reaction times of the chemical solutions are very
long, - decontamination solutions are usually
corrosive and toxic, so materials and
coatings of the machines do not support the action of these
products, and - reaction times become very long when the
temperature drops; in addition it is necessary
rinse to neutralize the action of these
products.

For these various reasons, the use of chemical decontamination solutions cannot be generalized on a large capacity decontamination device.

The object of the invention is therefore more particularly to provide an autonomous decontamination device, easily transportable, and which is free from all the drawbacks mentioned above.

It is based on the fact that there are solvent type products capable of easily diluting the contaminating solutions, some of these products being usable at low temperature and having no negative effect on the materials.

Consequently, the device according to the invention consists of at least one processing unit comprising
- an enclosure inside which the decon engine
can be introduced
- means allowing a fluid to be projected onto the machine
treatment capable of effecting the rapid dissolution of
contaminating solutions present on said machine;
- means to recover, after this project
tion, the polluted treatment fluid, in which
find contaminated products dissolved
- means allowing extraction and evacuation
less partial of contaminating products as well as
other soils present in the treatment fluid
polluted, so as to obtain a used treatment fluid
purified, and
- means for recycling this milking fluid
purified, so that it can be reused in conti
naked or for a new decontamination cycle.

It is clear that the choice of treatment fluid is essential. Indeed, in addition to its capacity to dissolve contaminating products, it must be relatively volatile (so as to obtain a
fast drying) and neutral towards materials approximately
nants, have a relatively deep freezing temperature
low for use up to -200C, have a relatively low boiling temperature
ble, to allow, for example, its own decontaminate
tion after use by distillation, - be insoluble in water to promote drying of
treated machines, have a high density for mechanical action
effective, especially when cleaning sludge, being non-flammable, causing no degradation of materials, paint,
rubber and plastics, present a low toxicity, - have an action of dilution of toxic and penetrates
tion of the walls, thanks to a low viscosity and a
low surface tension, - present a moderate purchase cost.

The various tests carried out by the Applicant have made it possible to show that the solvent which best meets the specifications mentioned above was a fluid belonging to the family of trifluorotrichloroethanes.

Given the variety of fields of action and the climate in which they operate, the decontaminating equipment will most often be soiled by wet or dry sludge as well as by possible flows of oil, grease and fuel (water insoluble products).

This is the reason why the invention provides for a treatment cycle in two phases, namely - a washing phase, according to which the decontamination fluid is recycled, this phase having the aim of treating both the contaminating agents and the stains previously mentioned; and - a rinsing phase, carried out using a pure decontamination fluid (not recycled) which will then be treated and mixed with the recycled fluid used for the washing phase.

Furthermore, the device described above may further comprise means allowing the recovery of the decontamination fluid evaporated in the enclosure, these means possibly including a device ensuring a forced circulation of the atmosphere contained in the enclosure through a compressor unit. equipped with condensate recovery means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decontamination device is in the form of a deployable container provided with conventional means allowing its handling and transport on vehicles.

In the retracted state, this container comprises a horizontal base on the two lateral sides of which are articulated two vertical sides, extended by two returns at right angles, the two longitudinal edges of which are juxtaposed in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the container.

The base carries, on its side oriented towards the inside of the container, two parallel longitudinal raceways with adjustable spacing. On the lateral parts of the base are arranged two retractable longitudinal rails, preferably integral with the two raceways, and on which two spraying ramps can also circulate.

In the deployed state, the two sides are folded horizontally, substantially in the extension of the base, the two returns then being arranged vertically.

This rigid U-shaped infrastructure is then closed by means of an inflatable tent to form the treatment enclosure.

Advantageously, this inflatable tent will be made in two parts coming to be fixed on the upper edges of the above returns.

An embodiment of a decontamination device according to the invention, in the form of a deployable container, will be described below, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figures 1 and 2 show the device in the state
retracted, seen from the side (Figure 1), and seen from the front,
smaller scale, (Figure 2) ;;
Figures 3 to 5 are views illustrating the steps
deployment of the device shown in Figures 1 and
2
Figure 6 is a top view of the device to
deployed state
Figure 7 is a front view of the device to
the deployed state during a processing cycle of
decontamination of a truck
Figure 8 illustrates the positions of the ramp
projection during treatment
Figures 9 and 10 are schematic representations
from the bottom of the device, side
left (figure 9) and right side (figure 10), these
representations illustrating the implementation of the diffe
rents organs and mechanisms of the device;
Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating the
operating principle of the device.

As previously mentioned, the device shown in these drawings has, in the retracted state, the shape of a substantially parallelepiped container 1 comprising a rectangular base or platform 2 on the lateral sides of which are articulated two vertical sides, extended by two right angle returns 5, 6, the two longitudinal edges 7, 8 of which are juxtaposed in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the container. The ends of this container are closed by elements 10, 11 which, as will be described below, will serve, in the deployed state, as access ramps (Figures 1 and 2).

Of course, like any conventional container, this container may include all the accessories usually used to allow its handling and / or transport, as well by land, sea or air.

He will also be able to understand the means allowing him to carry out his dropping and his parachuting. Such means which are well known, and whose design depends on the type of carrier used, will therefore not be described.

Inside the container, the base 2 supports two parallel longitudinal raceways 12, 13 with adjustable spacing on the outer edges of which are mounted vertical uprights 14, 15 carrying, at their ends, two parallel horizontal rails 16, 17 on which two adjustable spray bars 18, 19 can circulate, on the upper parts of which sections 21, 21 ′ are articulated intended to extend above the machines to be treated.

The deployment of this container is carried out by folding the two sides 3, 4 horizontally, substantially in the extension of the base 2, the two returns 5, 6 then being arranged vertically. Hydraulic cylinders mounted in the sides 3, 4 and provided with large pads 20 then allow the device to be positioned (base 2 + sides 3, 4) in a horizontal plane. These jacks, as well as other jacks provided for carrying out the deployment, can be supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid by means of an auxiliary hydraulic group driven by an electric motor itself supplied by batteries housed in the device or by a socket outlet. electric force fitted to the carrier vehicle, or even thanks to a hydraulic PTO available on this carrier vehicle.

 It should be noted that the jacks-associated with the pads 20 will be dimensioned so as to generate a force capable of supporting the weight of the entire device as well as that of the heaviest device whose decontamination is to be carried out.

The hydraulic circuits associated with these different jacks will advantageously be designed so that the deployment operation of the container as well as the actuation of the jacks associated with the pads 20 can be controlled by one and the same person.

As previously described, the container, in the deployed state, has a U-shaped concavity oriented upwards and constitutes the infrastructure of the decontamination enclosure. Access to this infrastructure of the equipment to be decontaminated is then ensured by the access ramps 10, 11 arranged for this purpose in the folded position against the ground and which extend in the extension of the raceways 12, 13. Advantageously, these access ramps will be secured to the raceways so that the adjustment of their spacing, as a function of the spacing of the rolling means of the vehicles, is automatically carried out when the spacing of the raceways is adjusted 12 , 13.

As can be seen in the diagram in FIG. 11, the adjustment of the spacing of the raceways 12, 13 is ensured by jacks 101 supplied by the main hydraulic group 102 of the device.

The superstructure of the decontamination enclosure is produced by an inflatable tent 25, produced by two curved inflatable elements 26, 27 which are fixed by their lower edges on the upper edges of the returns 5, 6, and whose upper edges 26 ′, 27 'are secured to each other. Advantageously, these inflatable elements 26, 27 are fitted at their base in boxes 28, 29 adjoining the returns 5, 6 which will serve as their storage volume in the deflated and folded state (FIG. 5).

The inflation of these elements is carried out using compressors 103 equipped with an air reserve and a pressure reducer.

From the start of the inflation phase, the operator will connect, using quick couplers, the two upper longitudinal edges 26 ', 27' of the elements 26, 27.

After the start-up of the auxiliary hydraulic power plant and deployment of the infrastructure, the two inflatable elements 26, 27 are put in place very quickly. Articulated arms 30 and stored in the boxes 28, 29 and which deploy automatically, make it possible to stiffen the tent 25 during periods of strong wind.

The assembly constituted by the infrastructure and the superstructure constitutes in a way a tunnel in which the machines can circulate and park during the treatment phase. The access and exit orifices of this tunnel can then be closed, especially during the treatment phase by tarpaulins (not shown) forming gables.

In this example, the washing phase with a jet of treatment fluid at ambient temperature and under pressure is carried out using the two lateral ramps 18, 21 - 19, 21 'which each have a plurality of spray nozzles and of a lower ramp 32, visible in FIGS. 9 and 10. The ramps 18, 21 - 19, 21 'are actuated so as to move along the rails and, consequently, to move along the machine in parking. The lateral ramps 18, 21 - 19, 21 'are tilted so that they can tilt to clean the ends of the machine (as shown in Figure 8).

The mechanical efficiency of the treatment fluid jets (which depends on the pressure of the sprayed fluid) can be optimized by using rotary or oscillating nozzles, thus making it possible to limit erosion phenomena.

The fluid used for washing the vehicle is recovered in a tank, after mechanical filtration of the sludge and undissolved solid particles. It is reused without special recycling for cleaning the following machines.

To this end, as follows from the diagram shown in Figures 9 and 10, the infrastructure comprises means capable of collecting the fluid flowing from the vehicle during treatment (manifold 33), these means being connected by a pipe incorporating a mechanical filter 34, to a recovery tank 35, connected to a suction pump 104 used to discharge the fluid into the container containing the washing fluid 36 and / or into a flexible tank for storing the surplus of washing fluid 37 (Figure 6) which can then be used for further processing.

The sludge extracted by the mechanical filter 34 as well as that swept into the collector 33 by a scraper device 40 associated with the lower projection ramp which performs the cleaning of the lower part of the machines, are collected in a sludge tank 41 and then stored in a flexible storage tank 42 thanks to a slurry pump 106. The actuation of the scraper + lower projection ramp assembly is ensured by a hydraulic motor 108 powered by the. group 102.

Advantageously, the washing phase is carried out during a forward journey of the projection ramps 18, 21 - 19, 21 'along the rails 16, 17, while the rinsing phase will be carried out during the return journey from these ramps. These two movements are ensured by a hydraulic motor 107 supplied by the hydraulic unit 102. In this case, the linear speed of the ramps 18, 21 - 19, 21 'is greater than that of the outward journey, for example double this speed , and the fluid used for this purpose is u .. pure fluid of the same nature as the washing fluid but used for the first time. This fluid can therefore come from a separate container 45.

It is clear that the application of a clean fluid (absence of dissolved products and contamination) on machines whose surfaces have been cleaned of dirt and sludge, makes it possible to deepen the decontamination. The fluid used for this rinsing phase mixes, after application, with that used for washing. It should be noted that the decontamination fluid projected into the spray nozzles of the ramps 18, 21 - 19, 21 'and of the lower ramp 40' associated with the scraper device 40 comes from high pressure pumps 110, 111 actuated by hydraulic motors. supplied by the hydraulic unit 102. These high pressure pumps are then connected to the receptacles 36 or 45 depending on whether it is a washing phase or a rinsing phase.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the ramps 18, 21 19, 21 ′ tilt at the end of their travel. for cleaning the front and rear of the vehicle V. Furthermore, the rails 16, 17 on which these ramps run will be secured to the raceways 12, 13 so as to keep a constant distance between the ramps and the regardless of the width of the latter.

 The ramps 18, 19 can, for their part, be mounted on rotary hydraulic cylinders supplied by the hydraulic unit 102. They can automatically unfold and adjust to the height of the vehicles V.

The horizontal ramp 40 ′ can be rotatably mounted so as to be able to direct the projection nozzles downward, so as to allow the cleaning of the upper face of the infrastructure which forms the collector 33 for recovering the projected fluid.

This collector cleaning phase 33 may be carried out occasionally depending on the amount of mud covering the vehicles or at the end of the decontamination operations, before the device is folded.

In the example shown, the returns 5, 6 (which constitute the sides of the infrastructure in the deployed state) are used to house all the motor and generator members necessary for electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic energies.

Thus, the right return 3 may in particular include, as shown in FIG. 10, a heat engine 113 (for example a turbocharged diesel engine) cooled by a heat exchanger 114 and driving the hydraulic unit 102, as well as the high pressure pumps 110, 111 used to spray the decontamination fluid. This return 3 also contains a fuel tank 115 intended for the engine 113 and an annex tank for decontamination fluid. In this FIG. 10, as in FIG. 9, the upper face of the infrastructure forming the recovery collector 33 is shown, the bottom of which, inclined at a gentle slope, brings the contaminated fluid up to an orifice provided with a filter 34 which opens into a recovery container 35.

Adjoining this container is a sludge recovery chute (sludge tank), the opening of which is located at the level of the filter 34.

The residues recovered in the chute can then be transferred to the flexible tank 37 located outside the device.

Also shown in this figure is the lower projection ramp 40 ′ provided with the scraper 40, which is movable over almost the entire length of the infrastructure.

The spraying of decontamination fluid, in particular on vehicles previously exposed to the sun and having a relatively high temperature at the surface, will release a significant amount of fluid vapor. These vapors confined in the enclosure which represent a significant loss of fluid must therefore be recovered.

This recovery is carried out by suction of the saturated air from the enclosure, through a compressor group 117 causing the condensation and ensuring the permanent recovery of the fluid vapors. This compressor unit 117 as well as the heat engine 118 used for its actuation are housed in the left return, as shown in FIG. 10.

The exhaust gases from this engine 118 as well as those from the engine 113 may be used in an additional heat exchanger, capable of ensuring the heating of the air contained in the enclosure, in the event that the ambient temperature is too low to obtain good efficiency of the decontamination fluid.

Of course, in addition to the previously mentioned filter 34, the circuit for recycling and pumping the decontamination fluid must be equipped with disposable filters intended to progressively block the gravel, leaves, twigs or grasses, then the muddy particles that remain in agglomerate taking into account the fact that these particles are not soluble in the decontamination fluid.

Other filters located at the inlet of the high pressure pumps will provide a second barrier to guarantee the life of these pumps and not to clog the spray nozzles whose orifices are very narrow.

A complete cockpit gathering all the commands and the control information of the device as well as the control system could be installed near the entrance of the device.

From this cockpit, the main operator will select the type of machine to be treated. The taking into account of this information by the system will cause the spreading of the raceways, the optimization of the round trip movement programs of the ramps 18, 19, 40C with their automatic height adjustment. The system will provide automation and permanent control of air conditioning and filtration of the decontamination fluid.

The operator can trigger the wash / rinse cycle as soon as the device is positioned in the enclosure and the tarpaulins closing the ends are folded down.

After use, the folding of the structure described above can be carried out by a cycle of operations opposite to those used to carry out the deployment.

This structure takes the form of a container ready to be moved again.

The decontamination fluid can then be purified and regenerated, for example by distillation or adsorption of contaminants on polymer resins for reconditioning, in the internal tanks of the device.

It should be noted that, due to the tunnel element shape of the infrastructure / superstructure assembly of the device described above, in the deployed state, it is possible to produce decontamination units capable of treating relatively long machines in having several sets of the type described above end to end.

Such associations can also be used in the case where it is desired to perfect the decontamination and in the case where the contaminating agents require the use of several different decontamination fluids.

It is clear that in the latter case, each assembly or treatment module may use a different decontamination fluid.

With regard to the recycling and regeneration of decontamination fluid, it will be recalled that in the above description, two solutions intervening at the end of the treatment of a determined number of devices have been mentioned - The distillation of the contaminated fluid ( washing fluid +
flushing fluid). However, this method turns out
long and requires significant amounts of energy.

- Regeneration by adsorption of contaminated fluid, method
faster and requiring less energy.

The invention proposes a third solution which allows continuous recycling of the decontamination fluid.

This method consists of recovering the rinsing decontamination fluid and continuously decontaminating it with a resin cartridge ensuring the trapping of contaminating products. The fluid decontamination phase may include several cycles which will be repeated until the degree of residual contamination of this fluid has dropped below a predetermined threshold.

 In view of the evaporation losses, the evaporated decontamination fluid is, moreover, recovered by the refrigerating installation ensuring the air conditioning of the device.

The reconditioning operation of the decontamination fluid must be carried out within the time necessary for the preparation and complete treatment of a machine. The treatment carried out continuously by the resin cartridge does not lead to any loss of decontamination fluid, only the evaporation losses mentioned above will be compensated by an addition of clean decontamination fluid from an annex tank.

The treatment is carried out continuously and in a loop with the inlet of the filter cartridge, that is to say that the decontamination fluid carries out several passages through the resin. This loopback will ensure a high adsorption rate. The pressure required for passage through this resin is very low, the energy required for this filtration will be relatively low.

This solution has the advantage of considerably reducing not only the overall amount of decontamination fluid necessary to ensure all the rinsing phases, but also the overall amount of decontamination fluid used for all of the cleaning and decontamination phases. , a quantity which could then be less than half the quantities that would otherwise be necessary.

 The saturation of the resin cartridges used occurs after treatment of a relatively large number of treated machines. These cartridges can then be regenerated by various techniques, in particular by passing hot air.

Different principles can be used to trap contaminants in the resins. In addition, different resins may be necessary to obtain these different principles and to allow a variety of contaminating products to be treated.

The invention therefore proposes to use resins in the form of beads or granules, so that a cartridge may contain a mixture of beads or granules. This mixture could then include beads having different properties, specific to the different elements constituting the contaminating agent.

Claims (18)

Claims  1. Portable and autonomous device for the decontamination of devices such as vehicles or aircraft subjected to contamination, for example of the type produced by toxic combat fluids, characterized in that it consists of at least a unit comprising - an enclosure inside which the machine (V)  decontamination can be introduced, - means (18, 19, 21, 21 ', 40') allowing to spray  on the machine placed inside the enclosure, a fluid  capable of rapidly dissolving the  contaminants present on said machine (V), - means (33, 35) making it possible to recover, after this  projection, the polluted fluid in which are found  dissolves contaminating products, - means allowing extraction and I evacuation  less partial of contaminating products as well as  other soils present in the treatment fluid  polluted, so as to obtain a treatment fluid  purified after use, and - means making it possible to recycle this treatment fluid  purified so that it can be reused continuously  and / or for a new treatment cycle.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment fluid belongs to the family of trifluorotrichloroethanes.  3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises means (110, 111) for performing a treatment cycle in two phases, namely - a washing phase in which the fluid treatment  is recycled, this phase having the aim of treating with  both contaminating products and soiling, and - a rinsing phase, carried out using a  pure decontamination.  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the fluid used during the rinsing phase is treated and is mixed with the recycled fluid used for the washing phase.  5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the fluid used during the rinsing phase is filtered and is continuously regenerated so that it can be reused as rinsing fluid.  6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the continuous regeneration of the treatment fluid is ensured by means of a cartridge containing resins capable of trapping the contaminating products present in the treatment fluid.  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the above cartridge contains a mixture of resin beads having different properties.  8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means (117) allowing the recovery of the treatment fluid evaporated in the enclosure.  9. Disposit # if according to claim 8, characterized in that the aforesaid recovery means (117) comprise a device ensuring a forced circulation of the atmosphere contained in the enclosure through a compressor and / or refrigerant group equipped with means condensate recovery.  10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the form of a deployable container (1) provided with means allowing its handling and transport on vehicles.  11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a horizontal base (2) on the two lateral sides of which are articulated two vertical sides (3, 4), extended by two returns at right angles (5, 6 ) whose two longitudinal edges (7, 8) come, in the retracted state of the container, to be juxtaposed in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of said container, in that the base (2) supports two parallel longitudinal raceways (12 , 13) with adjustable spacings, and in that on the lateral parts of the base (2) are arranged two respective longitudinal rails (16, 17), preferably integral with the raceways (12, 13) and on which can circulate two projection ramps (18, - 19) also retractable.  12. Device according to claim II, characterized in that it comprises means capable of causing an inclination of the projection ramps (18, 19) at the end of the race, to allow cleaning of the front and the rear of the machine (V) to be cleaned.  13. Device according to one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that in the deployed state, the container (1) constitutes an infrastructure, of U-shaped cross section, closed by a collapsible superstructure (26, 27 ) to form the treatment enclosure.  14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that said superstructure is made by an inflatable tent (26, 27-).  15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the aforesaid inflatable tent is made in two parts (26, 27) whose lower longitudinal edges are respectively fixed on the upper edges of the above returns (5, 6) and whose upper longitudinal edges (26 ', 27') include means for fixing them to one another.  16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two units arranged end to end so as to constitute a treatment tunnel.  17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the treatment fluid used in each of the units is different.  18. Device according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the treatment and / or regeneration phase of the fluid used during rinsing, comprises several cycles which are repeated until the degree of residual contamination of this fluid has subsided below a predetermined threshold.