Recycling

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Liquids

(Current Recycling Technology and Processes)

Coolant Recycling Process  (Page 1)

According to EET Corporation, engine coolants generally are used for “heat transfer, freeze/boil-over, and corrosion protection."  North America produces around 2 billion pounds of concentrated antifreeze each year to supply the demand of “refilling the leaking cooling systems” and “coolant changed-out."  Water and glycols are recyclable in the used engine coolant. *Interestingly, coolant and refrigerants can be recycled in a truck! For a complete list of today's recyclable coolants, please check our section Current Recyclable Materials - Liquids.   Step 1: Used coolant contaminated with tramp oil, chips, metal fines, bacteria, or mold, is collected in a dirty tank. Step 2: Tramp oil floating on top of the dirty coolant tank is skimmed off before the contaminated coolant is brought into the recycling vehicle. Step 3: Once inside the vehicle, the coolant passes through a succession of strainers and graduated filters.  The progression is designed to remove smaller and smaller chips, and other contaminants.  The removed solids are sent to approved disposal facilities for further treatment such as smeltering. Step 4: Free of those large particles, the fluid is then heated and pasteurized to remove bacteria and mold.  While the coolant is being heated, it is also spun and passes through a centrifuge, which removes whatever tramp oil is left, as well as any metal fines that proved too small for the filters.  Metal fines are also recycled. *For further details on metal recycling, please visit our section Current Recycling - Metal. Step 5: The heated fluid is then cooled and routed to the clean tank.  The fluid is then tested for concentration and purity, and supplemented with additional water, coolant concentrate, and/or biocide as needed. Step 6: Recycled and usable coolant is produced and ready to be re-distributed. Step 7: The tramp oil collected through the process is send to licensed waste oil haulers and processed. *For further details on motor oil recycling, please visit our section Current Recycling - Motor Oil.

Figure: Diffusion dialysis diagram. [Courtesy of: WMRC Technology Update.]

Figure: Diffusion dialysis diagram. [Courtesy of: MMS Online.]

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