How the On-Site Recycling Is Done

Fluid Recycling’s white-and-green van--with its centrifuge and a complex system of pipes, filters and heaters--backs up next to the tank of used fluid to be recycled.

To treat coolants, for example, the contaminated liquid is pumped into the centrifuge, which can spin as fast as 9,000 r.p.m. Matter is separated in the centrifuge according to weight. It will spin out oils picked up during the manufacturing process and also any metallic particles. A technician monitors the machine’s speed, adjusting it as necessary.

The oil thus recovered is later sold to a refiner.

Metal scraps--these can range from large shards to particles as small as red blood cells--are recovered from strainers and from the centrifuge linings to be sold to a metal reclaimer.

Any bacteria, mold or fungi are killed in a flash pasteurization process--a stream of fluid is heated to temperatures as high as 180 degrees Fahrenheit--to prevent the bacteria from feeding on the contaminated liquid and turning it rancid.

Chemical biocides are then added to check reinfection by bacteria when the fluid is returned to the machines.

From 250 to 600 gallons of fluid can be processed in an hour.