The company says the AquaCycle A2500 thickener responds to the needs of high tonnage processors.
CDE, a supplier of wet processing solutions for the natural processing and waste recycling sectors based in Northern Ireland, has launched its AquaCycle A2500 thickener. The thickener is the latest addition to the company’s water management and recycling systems.
According to a news release from CDE, the thickener has a capacity of 11,000 gallons per minute (GPM). CDE says the product is its largest and most advanced water management system to date.
The A2500 was developed in response to calls from materials processors operating in high tonnage markets for water management solutions equipped to supply their operations with sufficient water supplies while ensuring optimal production efficiency, minimum loss of fines and maximum water recycling.
CDE says the increased capacity also provides a lower rise rate, enabling operators to process challenging, harder to settle materials. The company says it was designed for easy use and safe access for efficient maintenance, it features the first lattice bridge structure on any CDE thickener. An integrated monorail also provides access to the motorized rake, gearbox and motor.
“It responds directly to the needs of materials processors operating in high tonnage markets,” says Darren Eastwood, business development director for the Americas at CDE. “These operations, primarily in the areas of C&D waste, specialist sands and heavily clay-bound aggregates, require higher volumes of water resources, flexible water management systems with the capacity to supply their operations without compromising on footprint and a system that can deliver this in a way that improves efficiency, driving down operational costs to maximize profitability and enable fast return on investment. These are the guiding principles that underscore the design and development of the new A2500.”
With a sludge capacity of 138 tons per hour, the A2500 includes an adjustable rake lifting mechanism. Featuring passive torque control, the automatic raise and start sequence is designed to protect rakes from surge pressure from dense sludges. The rake itself has also been reimagined, with optimally spaced and redesigned blades for improved sludge conditioning.
Powered by the motorized rake arm, the introduction of a new floating scum scraper, independent of the rake’s height, allows for the easy removal of unwanted foam, oil and lightweight trash. A redesigned volute feed well optimizes the incoming flow for improved flocculant performance by creating even radial flow to all regions of the A2500.
The company says a key feature of the A2500 is its feed height. Sitting at about 22 feet, it simplifies upstream plant design complexity as it eliminates the need for expensive civils, helping to expedite the commissioning process of entire plant solutions.
With a tank diameter of 65.6 feet and a weight of 97 tons when empty and 1,268 tons when full, the A2500 features a small footprint while packing a punchy 11,000 GPM and a solids capacity of 138 tons per hour.
An alternative to water extraction from natural sources and the costly process of pumping water to the plant, CDE’s A2500, like the full AquaCycle range, significantly reduces water consumption by ensuring up to 90 percent of process water is recycled for immediate recirculation.
“It is increasingly important for materials processors to invest in an effective water management system that ensures a steady supply of clean water to their plants through cost-effective means,” Eastwood says. “The continued advancement of our pioneering wet processing solutions and leading-edge water management systems is supporting operators working in the natural processing and waste recycling sectors worldwide to overcome the challenges of washing in water-pressured or water-scarce areas today.”
Throughout 2022, CDE is celebrating its 30th year in business. It has significant plans to mark the milestone, including strengthening its manufacturing capabilities and expanding its workforce in response to increasing demand. In 2021, CDE recorded its most successful year to date with more bookings than ever before.
Food waste projects will receive 25 percent of the annual grant money.
The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) has announced its plans to award more than $94,289 in grant funding to nine local organizations, city governments, schools and nonprofit organizations in central Ohio as part of its annual Community Waste Reduction Grant program.
These grants will help local organizations support SWACO’s broader strategy to increase waste diversion from the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill to 75 percent by 2032. Since the grants program was reimagined in 2016, SWACO has awarded $770,000 in grant funding to support local waste diversion initiatives across the region. During that same period, Franklin County’s diversion rate has grown from 45 percent to today’s record-high rate of 51 percent.
“Central Ohio is home to so many schools and organizations who are committed to creating a healthier, more resilient community—not just today, but for future generations of Ohioans, as well,” says Hanna Greer-Brown, SWACO's communications manager, in a news release announcing the grants. “As our population continues to boom, addressing our waste systems and ensuring the protection of our environment and economy will become a shared responsibility. We’re so pleased to be able to partner with and support the waste reduction and diversion journeys of these incredible community partners. Through our work together, we will continue to make a big difference for central Ohio.”
This year’s projects include everything from the installation of water bottle filling stations in a local school district to the development of a zero-waste plan at Otterbein University.
Twenty-five percent of the funding will support food waste diversion initiatives, underscoring the community’s acknowledgment of food waste as the single-largest source of material entering the landfill. A recent study by SWACO found that 83 percent of residents are concerned about the amount of food wasted every day and 89 percent of residents support central Ohio’s goal of achieving a 75 percent diversion goal by 2032.
The 2022 Community Waste Reduction Grant recipients are:
“We are grateful to SWACO for selecting the city of Reynoldsburg as one of the recipients of the 2022 Community Waste Reduction Grants,” says Donna Bauman, director of Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation. “This grant will enable us to expand our recycling efforts in our parks and begin a robust recycling program for staff at the Reynoldsburg City Hall building. It is imperative that we all do our part, to recycle right.”
The Ohio State University Zero Waste Coordinator Molly Kathleen says the university is grateful for the grant.
“As one of central Ohio’s largest employers, we are thrilled with the opportunity to expand home composting accessibility to our staff,” she says. “This grant will provide many individuals with an avenue to divert food waste, which is the largest waste stream found in the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill."
Last year, SWACO awarded $224,000 to 15 local organizations, schools and nonprofits in central Ohio. More grant funding was awarded in 2021 because of the increase in waste material created because residents and families spent most of their time at home during the height of the pandemic.
SWACO will begin accepting applications for 2023 projects in late April 2022. Information will be available on swaco.org/grants.
PQRenew includes 100 percent recycled-content applications and mechanical recycling technologies to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
PolyQuest Inc., a virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) supplier based in Wilmington, North Carolina, has trademarked its PQRenew brand of recycled bottle flake and resins.
Since 2006, the company says it has been developing its owned and tolled asset infrastructure and has produced more than 1 billion pounds of postconsumer bottle flake, postconsumer resin and postindustrial resin. The PQRenew brand of flake and resins line is the culmination of these efforts.
The company says the PQRenew brand is a natural extension of PolyQuest’s amplified recycling footprint across the U.S., including operational enhancements at PQ Recycling in Farmingdale, New York, and PolyQuest’s recycling facility in Darlington, South Carolina. PQRenew includes 100-percent-recycled content applications and top mechanical recycling technologies reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The comprehensiveness of the PQRenew product portfolio allows customers to choose various technical options for recycled PET,” says John Marinelli, PolyQuest CEO. “The key for us moving forward is to select partners that have strategically and financially committed to sustainability, who mesh well with our culture and values and have common goals and objectives.”
PolyQuest says it remains dedicated as an invaluable resource, partner and key distributor of virgin thermoplastics and manufacturer of recycled thermoplastics.
New Hampshire-based consortium wants its 10 to 90 brand to inspire a massive increase in plastic landfill diversion.
Cyclyx International, which describes itself as a consortium focusing on discarded plastic innovation headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, says together with its members it is launching the 10 to 90 brand and associated 10 to 90 Challenge to greatly increase landfill diversion of discarded plastics.
Cyclyx says, “The 10 to 90 Challenge is a series of new takeback and engagement programs designed to divert more low-quality waste plastics away from landfill and into the Cyclyx system, where those waste plastics can be recycled with the ultimate goal to increase recycling rates of plastics from 10 percent to 90 percent.”
Cyclyx, in collaboration with its members, says the 10 to 90 brand “will introduce a set of takeback programs, education, rewards and engagement tools, sponsored by the Cyclyx consortium companies, designed to incentivize small changes of behavior at home in order to increase the amount of waste plastics diverted from landfills and into the Cyclyx supply chain.” The diverted plastic can then be recycled to a range of products by consortium members, Cyclyx says.
“We all can do more to responsibly manage waste plastics and boost plastic circularity,” says Joe Vaillancourt, CEO of Cyclyx. “By engaging individuals, companies, communities and other organizations in this mission, we can truly begin to address the plastic waste challenge and increase the plastic recycling rate from 10 percent to 90 percent.”
Cyclyx says, “This new approach has the ability to help greatly expand the range of plastic waste that society recycles, including materials not commonly accepted by traditional recyclers due to poor quality, contamination levels or the chemical complexity of the waste.”
The Challenge will be introduced in collaboration with municipalities, retail establishments, corporations and universities, Cyclyx adds.
Cyclyx was founded by Agilyx Corp. and ExxonMobil Chemical Co. Since its founding, it has attracted additional companies and trade associations to its membership roster.
AEM recommends five maintenance techniques for skid steer loader owners.
The Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and some of its member companies say preventive maintenance (PM) is key to longer life for skid steel loaders.
The AEM and three of its equipment making members have offered five tips to help operators of such loaders achieve optimal PM practices.
1. Get in the everyday habit
Operators should start each workday with a daily walk-around inspection in which they check fluid levels (hydraulic fluid, fuel, coolant, engine oil) to make sure they are in the operating range specified in the owner’s manual.
“Fluid levels can have a significant effect on the machine’s performance and can lead to overheating a particular system, loss of machine performance, or even downtime,” says Kevin Coleman, senior product specialist at Deerfield, Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc.
Checking the filters (engine air filters as well as cab filters) also makes that daily list. “Owners who are diligent about following filter maintenance intervals are the ones who will see the least amount of downtime,” says Fred Paul. Adds Paul, who is a manager at a training university run by Germany-based Wacker Neuson, “By utilizing high-quality fuel, oils and OEM filters, the owner is in a position to maximize uptime and productivity.”
Another daily habit: Inspect for leaks and look for fluids gathering anywhere inside the engine compartment, and look for fluids in other places.
“Whether on the ground, in the engine compartment or on the machine itself, pooled fluid tells a story that should be investigated,” says George MacIntyre, product manager for Racine, Wisconsin-based Case Skid Steers and compact track loaders (CTLs). “Identifying the source will help you identify possible damage or repairs that can be made before they become more costly downtime events.”
Three more recommendations from the manufacturers: 1) inspect the fuel and water separator bowl and drain any water and apply grease to all greasing locations; 2) check all hoses for damage or wear and confirm all safety guards/braces are present and in working order; and 3) verify the fluid compartments are sealed with the proper caps and remove any debris from the machine (engine compartment, around axles, etc.)
Checking tires daily for wear or damage and for proper inflation comes last but not least on the daily list. “Flat or underinflated tires can affect the machine’s safety and performance in addition to leading to downtime,” says Coleman. “If you have a low tire when you lift a load off the ground it can make the machine very unstable,” adds Paul.
2. The fluids tell a story
Fluid management was a key topic of education at the AEM’s ConExpo-Con/Agg https://www.conexpoconagg.com 2020, says the group, and according to MacIntrye, fluid sampling is an often-overlooked practice that can tell you a lot about the health and performance of your machine.
Case recommends engine oil samples be sent for analysis every 250 hours, hydraulic and transmission fluid every 250-500 hours, and coolant be tested annually. Owner’s manuals will include the recommended intervals for a given machine.
“The important thing is to take oil samples regularly, so that changes can be identified, the correct diagnosis made, and remedial measures are taken,” says Coleman. “Fluid sampling will also help an owner to monitor the total health of the machines.”
MacIntyre indicates fluid sampling is especially important if a machine has had previous owners or has been used across numerous job sites. “It’s often those unseen issues that can create the most unexpected downtime events,” he says.
When maintenance records provide a history of fluid sampling, it can be valuable when trading in your machine. “Fluid sampling may also allow for extended oil drain intervals for certain fluids, thereby reducing owning and operating costs,” says Coleman.
Without dedicated fleet managers, many small and mid-sized firms who own skid steers can find it challenging to schedule routine maintenance.
Basic telematics programs provide hour readings and location data that can help these businesses stay ahead of maintenance intervals, say the manufacturers. More comprehensive telematic solutions provide additional functionality for machine monitoring, health and maintenance, they add.
“If a machine is equipped with the deluxe telematics version, and the machine alerts the operator with a problem, that same alert will be visible to the owner or mechanic at the same time,” says Paul. “This provides valuable diagnostic assistance early and can help the mechanic determine a course of action. Often this can save time and money on repair or maintenance costs and keep the machine operating at top performance.”
While the number of skid steer owners opting for telematics is relatively low in comparison with larger machines, MacIntyre sees an upward trend as equipment owners realize the advantages.
4. Getting the team on board
Operators are the first line of defense when it comes to taking action on maintenance items. In addition to daily inspections, operators need to understand how to respond to in-cab alerts and messages, says AEM.
Most skid steers include a machine vehicle control unit (MVCU) that provides real-time indicators of machine conditions. The codes could indicate something major, or something as simple as low DEF (diesel exhaust fluid). If small problems are promptly addressed, they often can prevent larger problems.
“When an operator has ‘ownership’ of a piece of machinery they tend to feel more involved with the company, have more pride in their work, and improved morale,” states Paul. “Owners who weave daily maintenance responsibilities into the operator’s task list will realize better functioning machinery and reduced downtime.”
5. Opting for ease of maintenance
Manufacturers and dealers are trying to make it more convenient than ever for fleet owners to maintain equipment, they say. A Caterpillar Customer Value Agreement is designed to ensure that parts are delivered on time with instructions for maintenance.
“Owners get the security of an Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) to avoid unexpected costs for unplanned repairs,” says Coleman. “All the keys to machine health management conveniently display on your phone. And it all can be rolled in with their monthly machine payment.”
Wacker Neuson service kits can be ordered prior to a scheduled PM visit so parts are on hand when the service is performed, reducing any downtime associated with the maintenance. Caterpillar self-service options offer a range of repair options, packaged with “everything” customers need to do the work themselves, in their shop or in the field, says the firm.