Case Study Standard Line

MobyDick Wheel Wash System at Work on Superfund Site in St. Louis, USA

Introduction

Ahrens Contracting, Inc., a leading demolition and remediation company based in Missouri, USA, was contracted to remediate the former Carter Carburetor site in St. Louis. This highly contaminated industrial site was designated as a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The remediation presented unique challenges in containing pollutants and preventing material carryout, crucial for minimizing environmental pollution and health risks. A key concern was the decontamination of vehicles exiting the site to prevent contaminants from reaching public roads.

Challenge

• The remediation activities generated large amounts of contaminated dust and dirt, which accumulated on the tires and underbodies of trucks.
• Simple scraping grids were inadequate to meet the stringent EPA guidelines for cleaning vehicles before exiting the restricted zone.
• An efficient, automated solution was needed to optimize cleaning and replace manual high-pressure washings.

Solution: The MobyDick Flex 400 MC Wheel Wash System

After careful evaluation, Ahrens Contracting opted for the Flex 400 MC, an above-ground wheel wash system from FRUTIGER, specifically deployed to clean truck tires and underbodies before the vehicles left the site. Benefits of the MobyDick Flex 400MC:

• Automated vehicle cleaning without the need for manual high-pressure washing
• Effective dirt removal through an optimized combination of water pressure and flow rate
• Compact, above-ground construction that allows for quick installation
• Closed-loop water recycling to efficiently reuse water and minimize environmental
  impact

Results and Benefits for the Client

• The MobyDick wheel wash system was pivotal in ensuring no contaminated dirt left the site.
• The automatic cleaning process facilitated faster, cost-effective, and safer vehicle decontamination compared to manual methods.
• The system was installed in just two days and was immediately operational.
• Thanks to its robust construction and easy operation, Ahrens Contracting effortlessly met EPA standards while reducing labor efforts. Ted Ahrens, Deputy Project Manager, highlighted how the quick and reliable cleaning significantly contributed to the successful implementation of the remediation project. The MobyDick solution enabled them to meet high environmental standards while enhancing work efficiency.

Conclusion

Choosing the MobyDick Flex 400 MC wheel wash system proved to be a crucial success factor in the remediation of the Carter Carburetor Superfund site. Through the efficient and environmentally friendly cleaning process, Ahrens Contracting was able to meet regulatory requirements and ensure the safety of both staff and the surrounding residential areas.