SE545914C2

SE545914C2 - Moveable vehicle wash arrangement and method for installing such arrangement

Info

Publication number: SE545914C2
Application number: SE2051253A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Anders Nilsson
Original assignee: Innovations In Stockholm Ab
Priority date: 2020-10-27
Filing date: 2020-10-27
Publication date: 2024-03-12
Also published as: SE2051253A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reinforced concrete slab (5a, 5b) comprising at least one heating channel (10) cast in the slab for transferring heat from a fluid passing through said at least one channel to heat at least one surface of said slab (5a, 5b) and the use thereof as a foundation for buildings. The invention also relates to a mobile vehicle wash arrangement comprising at least one vehicle platform comprising two reinforced concrete slabs (5a, 5b) as defined herein, the side of the slabs (5a, 5b) facing upwards being substantially on the same level as the surrounding ground to facilitate positioning of vehicles on said concrete slabs (5a, 5b). The invention also relates to a method of installing a movable vehicle wash arrangement.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle wash arrangement, and a method of installing such arrangement.

Backqround of the invention Constructions, typically buildings of varying sizes, may be founded on a reinforced concrete slab. Such foundations are typically produced by on-site casting. Once the concrete composition has set, the formed concrete slab is immovable and cannot be removed and transported away to another site. lt may be desirable to enable movement not only of a building or house but also of an entire foundation thereby restoring the ground for other purposes. Should the foundation be movable, it could be reused as foundation on another site while saving costs and leaving the previously used ground intact.

Transporting a removably arranged concrete slab as foundation and a building per se mounted on such foundation would thus be an alternative to permanent foundations and buildings.

A further advantage of such foundation would be that prefabricated slabs could be produced in a more cost-effective way while providing a higher quality since greater volumes could be continuously produced while benefiting from controlled process conditions such as substantially constant humidity and temperature ranges. An objective of the present invention is thus to provide such concrete slab for use as foundation for buildings.

Car washes are generally known as permanent indoor installations extensively available at facilities such as petrol stations. Outdoor car washes are also available even though not as abundant. A problem with outdoor car washes is the use thereof at a temperature below the freezing point. ln particular, it must be safeguarded drained water does not freeze which would lead to slippery surfaces and danger for people washing their cars as well as detrimental effects on equipment such as hoses, pumps and other machinery which may be damaged if remaining water freezes. One solution to this would be heating the car wash but this would, if not performed in an optimal way result in both expensive heating as well as complex arrangement for providing such heating. For example, if the heating would be provided below the ground, such an installation would both be expensive and in case the heating device breaks down or heating ducts start to leak and replacement is needed, such operation would require removal of the device below the ground and replacement of e.g. heating device, heating ducts or similar equipment. A further inconvenience with present car wash installations, even outdoor washes, is that they are not movable. Needless to say, it often happens areas of installations such as car washes are closed down to whereby such unmovable installations must be demounted requiring considerable efforts to restore and decontaminate the ground.

The present invention therefore intends to provide a solution to this problem by providing a mobile car wash arrangement for use in unheated environments coping with the problems referred to herein. Moreover, the present invention intends to provide a solution whereby a mobile arrangement for vehicle washing can be combined with additional movable vehicle-related services such as tire change, car workshops or other useful car services. Mobile arrangements offering several services would additionally save both space, resources, and time for both employees at service sites and vehicle owners requiring such services. Moreover, conventional car washes of today usually require a well to treat drained water. Such wells often suffer from fouling due to sludge or solid particles entrained in the drained water flow block the passage to the well which eventually may have to be flushed by highly pressurized water. Also, this kind of water treatment is many times not efficient to eliminate toxic or environmentally harmful substances which thus are conveyed to municipal water treatment plants which are not designed to handle such substances. Harmful effluents from car washes may thus be emitted to water systems thereby causing pollution. The present invention intends to solve the above problems.

The invention The present invention relates to a reinforced concrete slab comprising at least one heating channel cast in the slab for transferring heat from a fluid passing through said at least one channel to heat at least one surface of said slab, preferably uniformly heat one surface of the slab. The heated surface is preferably the upper surface thereof once the slab has been positioned for use whereby the heating safeguards freezing of at least the upper surface of the slab does not occur. This may be beneficial for example if a building is to be mounted on the slab which thereby reduces detrimental effects of both the slab and the building. For example, both the slab and the floor of a building standing on the slab may be heated thereby reducing detrimental effects of moisture and humidity. This may be advantageous e.g. with respect to otherwise unheated warehouses or other buildings.

According to one embodiment, the length of the slab ranges from 1 to 20, preferably from 3 to 10, and most preferably from 5 to 7 meters.

According to one embodiment, the width of the slab ranges from 0.5 to 10, preferably from 1.5 to 3, and most preferably from 2 to 2.5 meters.

According to one embodiment, the thickness of the slab ranges from 150 mm to 1 meter, preferably from 150 to 550 mm such as 250 to 550 mm, and most preferably from 450 to 550 mm.

According to one embodiment, the length of the slab ranges from 2 to 8 meters; the width of the slab ranges from 0.5 to 3 meters, and the thickness of the slab ranges from 150 mm to 600 mm.

According to one embodiment, the length of the slab ranges from 1 meter to 10 meters; the width of the slab ranges from 1 to 3 meters, and the thickness of the slab ranges from 150 mm to 800 mm. According to one embodiment, the length of the slab ranges from 4 meters to 7 meters; the width of the slab ranges from 2 meters to 4 meters, and the thickness of the slab ranges from 150 mm to 800 mm.

According to one embodiment, the thickness of the slab, preferably used in a vehicle wash, gradually decreases along the length and/or width thereof, preferably along the width thereof by 0.5 to 5 cm/m, preferably from 1 to 2.5 cm/m, and most preferably by 0.75 to 1.5 cm/m. The decrease in thickness of the slab along the width means when the slabs are arranged to form a vehicle platform, drained water on the slabs will be conveyed by gravity to the duct connected to the slabs forming the vehicle platform together with the duct.

By the term "length" is meant the longest dimension of the slab corresponding in the case of a slab used in a vehicle or car wash, i.e. the direction running in parallel with the driving direction of a vehicle to be positioned on the slab. The term “width” means the side of the slab extending perpendicularly to the first duct.

According to one embodiment, at least one heating channel is designed to uniformly heat one surface of the slab. Preferably, said at least one heating channel is partially insulated to heat only one side of the slab, preferably the side of the concrete slab faced upwards when in use as a foundation or being part of a vehicle platform.

The invention also relates to the use of a reinforced concrete slab as described herein as a movable foundation for buildings, preferably foundation for houses such as houses up to 25 m2thus allowing for movement of an integral slab. Preferably, such slab has uniform dimensions with respect to thickness, width, and length.

Preferably, the fluid circulated in the heating channels is water.

Preferably, the system for heating is controlled to start when the ambient temperature is below 3 ° C.

According to one embodiment, a thermally insulating layer is arranged below the water supply and purification platform.

According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating layer is selected from styrofoam or other material with corresponding properties, preferably styrofoam. Preferably, the thickness of the insulation layer ranges from 1 to 20 mm.

The invention also relates to a vehicle wash arrangement comprisšgg1u i) at least one vehicle platform comprising tvvo reinforced concrete slabs the side of said two reinforced concrete slabs facing upwards being positioned substantially on the same level as the surrounding ground to facilitate positioning of a vehicle on the vehicle platform of the arrangementfesﬂsaš ii) at least one first duct extending in parallel between and mechanically fixed to said at least two reinforced concrete slabs, said at least one first duct being configured to receive and convey drained water from said at least two concrete slabs being slanted towards said duct_:_ a water supply and purification unit arranged adjacent to said at least one vehicle platform, said water supply and purification unit being arranged on at least one reinforced concrete slab; v) optionally an insulating layer arranged below said vehicle platform and said water supply and purification unit.

According to one embodiment, the water supply and purification unit comprises a caisson for collection of separated fractions originating from the drained water. According to one embodiment, by the term “water supply and purification unit” is meant any type of connection for supply of water and The term caisson is meant to include any type of container divided in compartments in which compartments the various separated fractions are stored and which when filled will be subject to an emptying procedure whereby the compartments are emptied. Such emptying procedure is suitably performed by a suction arrangement, preferably arranged on a truck or other vehicle allowing for regular removal thereof and continuous use of the purification unit.

According to one embodiment, the water supply and purification unit have connections and couplings for electricity, water supply, and water drain for water purified in a purification unit integrated in the unit. Such connections are simply coupled or connected to stationary water supply means and plugged into available power outlets for electricity. According to one embodiment, the insulating layer comprises at least one thermally insulating layer having a thickness ranging from 30 mm to 500 mm.

According to one embodiment, the heating channels are interconnected betvveen adjacent concrete slabs to transfer heat in one single loop, preferably by means of a joint configured to be connected to ends of the heating channels.

According to one embodiment, said at least one first duct and said at least one second duct are made of concrete. Preferably, gaskets such as rubber gaskets are arranged to tighten joints between concrete slabs and said at least first duct to prevent leakage. According to one embodiment, said at least one first duct is removably arranged to said at least two reinforced concrete slabs, for example by means of bolted joints such as screws or similar means. According to one embodiment, said at least one second duct conveys drained water to said purification unit. According to one embodiment, said at least one first duct is configured to convey water directly to the purification unit whereby one end thereof is connected to inlet means of the purification unit. The purification unit is preferably arranged to separate solid particles such as coarse particles or sludge such as sand particles and gravel from soluble, miscible and immiscible liquids such a water and oil and other hydrophobic substances such as various organic compounds.

According to one embodiment, the purification unit is arranged to separate at least 95 wt% or at least 99 wt% of organic material from the purified water.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement comprises 4 to 8 vehicle platforms. This thus provides for 4 to 8 vehicles being washed at the same time.

According to one embodiment, the slabs of the arrangement are provided with elevations along the external sides thereof except for the vehicle entrance side to prevent water from draining to the surrounding ground.

The invention also relates to a method for installing a movable ëaisïwash arrangement according to any one of claims comprising; a) preparing an area of the ground adapted for installation of the arrangement b) mounting the arrangement according to any one of claims on the prepared area such that at least said vehicle platform is substantially at the same level as the surrounding ground to facilitate vehicle entrance thereto c) connecting water supply and electricity from permanent supply means to the water supply and purification unit.

By the term “drained water” is meant used washing water drained substantially from the concrete slabs and caused to be conveyed to said at least one first duct betvveen the tvvo slabs forming the vehicle platform. The term “drained water” is thus meant to include water containing impurities initially adhered on the vehicle to be washed as well as any chemicals added during the washing or released from the vehicle such as degreaser, car schampoo, car wax, polishes, phosphates, surfactants, fatty substances or any other chemicals such as oils etc.

According to one embodiment, said at least two concrete slabs are joined to said at least one first duct by means of screws.

According to one embodiment, the platform for water supply and purification unit comprising a caisson for collection of separated fractions is preferably arranged at a level ranging from 40 to 100 cm below the ground, for example 50 to 70 cm below the ground such that the upper portion of the caisson is at the same level as the ground. The platform may likewise be arranged on ground level. However, said at least one first duct and optionally said at least one second duct are slanted such that drained water can flow to and enter a first compartment of the caisson by gravity. While drained water flows via said at least one first duct and optionally via said at least one second duct, solid material such as coarse and fine particles will settle to some extent before reaching the caisson. Eventually, at some suitable point in time, e.g. while the vehicle wash is temporarily not used, the ducts are cleansed to remove remaining settled solid material. According to one embodiment, said at least one second duct is formed as a pipe or comprises a pipe portion or is connected to a pipe connected to a caisson. Preferably, said at least one second duct is a pipe which has a length corresponding to the length and/or width of both slabs of the vehicle platform. An advantage of such at least one second duct being a pipe is that it prevents inflow of rain water. Preferably, the second duct is designed to withstand a vehicle running over it. The material of the second duct must thus be selected accordingly. A further advantage of the second duct, especially when larger levels of drained water is produced is that solid particles such as sludge may settle there in addition to the first duct. Preferably, said at least one second duct is openable to allow for suction or removal of settled solid particles in other ways. Preferably, such at least one second duct has a Circular, rectangular or square-shaped cross section, preferably circular cross section. According to one embodiment, the cross section of such at least one second duct ranges from 0.2 to 2 m2, e.g. 0.2 to 1.5 m2, preferably from 0.3 to 0.7 m2, most preferably from 0.4 to 0.6 m2. By the use of these cross section, volumes for settlement of solid particles may amount to at most about 10 m2. According to one embodiment, the second duct may be comprised of a plurality of modules having a length in the range of e.g. 0.5 to 1.5 m to enable convenient transport thereof. The modules of the second duct may thus easily be mounted, demounted and transported. According to one embodiment, the caisson comprises a first compartment in which the drained water enters via said at least one first duct or via said at least one second duct. ln said first compartment, coarse solid material still suspended in the drained water is separated by settlement and/or filtration. The caisson preferably comprises a second compartment separated from the first compartment by means of a filter separating coarse solid material. Drained water passing the filter separating said first and second compartments of the caisson will thus comprise a considerably reduced amount of solid material, e.g. sand, gravel, clay etc. Preferably, the caisson further comprises a third compartment separated from the second compartment by means of a filter. Drained water permeating the filter will be further purified from especially fine particles still suspended in the drained water. The cutoff of the filters can be selected according to needs depending on flows through the filter, capacity of the purification unit, average concentration of remaining solids suspended etc. Preferably, drained water is conveyed, e.g. by pumping thereof, to a separate purification unit connected to the third compartment, e.g. via a conduit for further purification including removal of metals such as heavy metals including lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium, nickel, and copper. The metals are preferably separated from the drained water by means of an electrochemical process whereby the metals are precipitated, e.g. as hydroxide salts in a weak acidic or neutralized catholyte. Example of electrochemical processes for removal of metals such as heavy metals include electro- deposition, electrocoagulation, electro-flotation and electro-oxidation. Also further means for purification may be applied such as ion-exchange, membrane filtration such as reverse osmosis. Preferably, an electrochemical process is used in the purification unit since such process has been found to enable handling of high levels of drained water. ln the third compartment, in addition to drained water, e.g. oily or fatty and other hydrophobic substances can be entrained.

As such hydrophobic substances are not miscible with water, they will over time form a separate hydrophobic phase having a lower density than the aqueous phase, hydrophobic substances can to a large extent be separated from the aqueous phase and will thus not be entrained as drained water is conveyed to the purification unit. Minor entrained amounts of hydrophobic substances may, however, be separated in the purification unit by means of filtration such as ultrafiltration or adsorption, e.g. by means of activated carbon.

According to one embodiment, the caisson comprises a fourth compartment separated from the third compartment. Separated metals such as heavy metals or sa|ts thereof, such as hydroxide-based sa|ts, can be stored, at least temporarily, in the fourth compartment following separation thereof in the purification unit. Such metals, heavy metals or sa|ts thereof may then at a suitable time, e.g. when the fourth compartment has been filled, be conveyed from the fourth compartment to a suitable plant for rewinning or treatment thereof. Preferably, drained water having been finally treated in the purification unit can be conveyed to a municipal treatment plant since it does no longer contain any remaining toxic levels or unhandled amounts of pollutants.

According to one embodiment, merely electricity, water supply means, and means for conveying purified water is connected to the arrangement. Should it be desired to move the arrangement, all parts including ducts and concrete slabs being demountable could be easily transported to another site for remounting thereof to set up the washing arrangement again. The water supply and purification unit and the caisson could likewise be easily transported to another site without any further need to restore and decontaminate the ground, for example soil where it has been used. The movable water supply and purification unit easily provides for transportation thereof without having to demount and remove a well, such as a three compartment well, buried in the ground. According to one embodiment, other facilities such as tyre changing services or car workshops may be installed in the same arrangement. Typically, such facilities are likewise arranged on concrete slabs as further described herein.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement is provided with roof and walls on three sides surrounding each vehicle platform to protect the wash arrangement from wind, rain etc. while minimizing leakage of any drained water to the surrounding ground. According to one embodiment, the arrangement may comprise additional modules which are provided with insulated roof and walls so as to form an indoor facility.

According to one embodiment, as such arrangement are connected to supply of water and purification of used water, the arrangement may in addition comprise office installations and toilets may easily be installed. All such equipment is provided as modules easily mounted and demounted for subsequent use at new sites.

Brief description of the drawinqs Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic illustration of a concrete slab comprising four compartments, i.e. a caisson collecting separated fractions during water purification. Figure 2 shows a perspective schematic view of a car wash arrangement having beams connecting a roof structure to the concrete slabs (not shown).

Figure 3 shows the concrete slabs separated by a duct.

Figure 4 shows a reinforced concrete slab.

Figure 5 shows heating channels in a concrete slab.

Figure 6 shows a heating channel running through a concrete slab.

Figure 7 shows four vehicle platformss.

Detailed description of the drawinqs Figure 1 shows a caisson which is arranged adjacent a reinforced concrete slab as further described herein. The caisson is typically produced of the same material (concrete) as the further concrete slabs. The dimensions of the caisson may vary and can be designed in accordance with the dimensions of the vehicle platform slabs. The numbers of compartments 1a, b, c, d can be at least two but preferably at least three or at least four as in figure 1. The compartments 1 illustrate collection of separated fractions separated from the drained water. A water purification unit is preferably mounted on top of the caisson which thus treats the used drained water. ln a first compartment 1a, and by means of separation technology, solid particles such as course sludge such as gravel, big particles, sand etc are collected. ln a second compartment 1b, finer solid particles are separated and stored, while in a third compartment, oily and fatty substances are stored. ln a fourth compartment 1d, metals such as heavy metals are stored having been separated from water having been purified in the purification unit as described herein. Purified water having passed the various treatment steps and thus purified from substances and compounds originating from the washing process is conveyed from the purification unit via conduits to a municipal waste water treatment plant or the like.

Figure 2 shows roof 2 and a supporting structure attached thereto such as vertical beams 3 attached in turn to the concrete slabs (not shown). Horizontal supporting beams 4 are also shown.

Figure 3 shows two concrete slabs 5a, 5b in cross section between which a duct is arranged and attached to the lower portion of the sides of the concrete slabs 5a, 5b, preferably by means of screws securing the concrete slabs to the duct 6. Below the concrete slabs 5a, 5b, three layers of insulating material 11 are arranged.

The insulating layer facing the ground can typically be styrofoam as well as any further layers. The insulating layers are normally positioned under the ground such that the upper surface of the concrete slabs are on the same level as the surrounding ground. The concrete slabs are slightly inclined such that water may flow towards the duct leading water to a second duct arranged to conduct water to the purification unit. The concrete slabs are preferably cast with slab edges such that they prevent leakage to the surrounding areas. Figure 4 shows a cross section of a concrete slab 1 being reinforced by reinforcement means.

Figure 5 shows a heating channel 10. Figure 6 shows a heating channel running through a cross section of a concrete slab 5a, 5b.

Point of inlet 13 and point of outlet 14 are illustrated. Point of outlet for heat transfer is connected to an adjacent heating channel of an adjacent concrete slab (not shown).

Figure 7 shows four vehicle platforms (pairs of concrete slabs), two on either side of a non-shown caisson at which a water purification plant as well as machinery for supply of water is arranged, as well as sewage and electricity connections. The vehicle platforms are arranged adjacent to each other and are preferablyjoined to one another by means of screws or the like. Water protecting edges are provided to prevent leakage of any water to the surroundings from the vehicle platforms.

Claims

1. Movable vehicle wash arrangement comprising_:_ i) at least one vehicle platform comprising tvvo reinforced concrete slabs (5a, 5b) each of which comprising at least one heating channel (10) cast in the slab (5a, 5b) for transferring heat from a fluid passing through said at least one channel (10) to heat at least one surface of said slab, the side of the slabs (5a, 5b) facing upwards being substantially on the same level as the surrounding ground to facilitate positioning of vehicles on said concrete slabs (5a, 5b);_ at least one first duct (6) extending in parallel between and mechanically fixed to said at least two reinforced concrete slabs (5a, 5b), said at least one first duct being configured to receive and convey drained water from said at least two concrete slabs (5a, 5b) being slanted towards said at least one first duct (6)>; iv) at least one second duct receiving drained water from said at least one first duct (6), said at least one second duct being arranged substantially transversely to said at least one first duct (6) wherein said at least one first duct (6) and said at least one second duct are slanted and interconnected to convey water to the water supply and purification unit; v) optionally an insulating layer arranged below said vehicle platform and said water supply and purification unit.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the water supply and purification unit comprises a caisson for collection of separated fractions originating from said drained water.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said water supply and purification unit has connections for electricity, water supply, and inlet for purification for drained water. _ Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulating layer comprises at least one thermally insulating layer having a thickness ranging from 30 mm to 500 mm. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heating channels (10) are interconnected between adjacent concrete slabs (5a, 5b) to transfer heat between said slabs (5a, 5b). Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one first duct (6) and said at least one second duct are made of concrete. _ Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one first duct (6) is removably arranged to said at least two reinforced concrete slabs (5a, 5b). Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said at least two reinforced concrete slabs (5a, 5b) are arranged to said at least one first duct (6) by means of bolted joints. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the water supply and purification unit is arranged to separate solid particles and hydrophobic substances from the drained water. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the arrangement comprises 4 to 8 vehicle platforms. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the arrangement has elevations along three sides of the vehicle platform to prevent water from draining to the surroundings. Method for installing a movable vehicle wash arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising a) preparing an area of the ground adapted for installation of the vehicle wash arrangement b) mounting the arrangement on the prepared area such that at least said vehicle platform is substantially at the same level as the surrounding ground to facilitate vehicle entrance thereto c) connecting water supply and electricity from permanent supply means to the water supply and purification unit.