DESIGN A WASHING-FILLING AREA FOR MACHINES AND SPRAYERS
COMBINE PREPARATION AND PREVENTION
The simplest choice to comply with the regulations (order of September 12, 2006) which imposes “not to discharge waste water (rinsing water, mixture, bottom of tanks) into the environment” is a washing area.
The design of a mixed-use washing area should allow for washing of equipment, filling, rinsing and washing of the sprayer. It can also be used as a fueling station.
She must :
- Make these operations comfortable and must therefore be functional.
- It must also secure the risks vis-à-vis the environment, vis-à-vis the users and finally comply with the regulations in force.
Indeed, the phases of preparation of mixtures/filling sprayer are the main source of accidental pollution and filling of fuel of machines on wine-growing, agricultural, arboricultural, market gardening operations, other green spaces (golf courses), but also any other use of this type, such as the fairing of boats, fuel points for transporters, etc., whether conventional or so-called "biological" products (sulphur, copper).
None of these products are harmless to soil and water resources. (Copper, for example, quickly destroys biological life (earthworms, for example) in the soil. In the soil, copper accumulates in the first layers of the soil (10 cm) where it becomes toxic for micro fauna and flora soil (earthworms, fungi, bacteria, etc.), admittedly with very different levels.
HVe type certifications strongly encourage the management of phytopharmaceutical effluents (discharge to the plot with a dilution of 6 times the volume) - this implies using, storing, transporting water and diluting before discharge. This solution, if it appears economical, is impractical.
The solution: equip yourself with a filling area: this allows:
- To reduce or control potential problems.
- And for example to go more easily towards an Hve type certification (3 points out of 10 for example (subject)
It must be simple to develop, and practical.
This arrangement is becoming essential today to secure the handling and use of phytosanitary products, while facilitating work. When filling the sprayer, the phytosanitary products are in concentrated form.
It is therefore necessary to be vigilant to avoid any incident:
- Return of slurry in the water circuit,
- Overflowing tank,
- foam formation,
- Overturning of a can that slips from the hands...
These potential incidents are as many risks for the user and for the preservation of his environment - whether the cause is:
- Accident,
- Clumsiness,
- Lack of vigilance...
This generates the most significant point pollution.
Avoid them and control them with the development of a filling or washing area for:
- Securing all these phases,
- Preserve water resources
- And above all to facilitate the work of the applicator.
It is up to each operator to build the washing/filling area that will be best suited to their constraints:
- Available area,
- Location of the plant protection product storage room,
- Size of the sprayer(s) and/or machine(s).
It is indeed a question of reconciling:
- environmental requirement,
- Practicality,
- Low cost
- And ease of arrangement.
The filling/washing area can be designed in 2 ways: under cover or outside.
- The advantage of a sheltered area is that there is no need to manage rainwater - but on the other hand the building must be high and wide enough for the circulation of machines and sprayers to be washed or filled.
- In the case of an outdoor area, a rainwater drainage system must be provided
Questions prior to the construction of a filling/washing/management area for phytopharmaceutical and hydrocarbon effluents:
- Where to install it: away from homes, livestock buildings, natural water points and near the plant protection product storage room to limit their transport and handling
- Which coating to choose: the area must be concreted (XA2 concrete), as it is load- and frost-proof and non-slippery
- How to design the area? It must have edges 5 to 10 cm high in order to contain the total volume of the sprayer in the event of an accident - with a slight slope (approx. %) towards the retention tank (which must be waterproof and allow storage temporarily water from a sprayer wash)
If the area is in the open air, provide at the low point 2 outlets: for rainwater, the other for the recovery of soiled water towards the recovery tank or the treatment system - also during washing equipment, provide for a possible evacuation for the treatment of hydrocarbons
The quantity of hydrocarbons (grease, diesel) collected on the machines is in fact a point that often surprises users of washing areas, it is indeed not negligible and at least as polluting as conventional or biological phytopharmaceuticals.
The hydrocarbon separator : Discarded in nature, hydrocarbons pollute. Lighter than water, they form a film on the surface of the soil blocking the penetration of oxygen. When discharged into a sewage network, they slow down the operation of treatment plants. The hydrocarbon separator is a component that is installed on your washing area:
- After the digger tank
- And upstream of the rainwater collection network.
Its role is to:
- Retain grease, oil or fuel from washing your machines
- And thus freeing oneself from the regulations concerning the discharge standards in force.
These devices are fitted with a coalescer type filter.
To expect :
- An absorbent reserve stock in the event of an accident,
- A hose for rinsing cans (or better a can rinse),
- A water point (or shower)
- And above all adapted jibs, adjustable in height, with non-return valve equipment - for washing and filling sprayers)
- And better a shower to rinse off in case of accidental splashes
OCEANIA environment offers all of these solutions:
- From the simplest and most economical Pack R-less than 4000€: for controlled individual use (suitable for 1 to 2 sprayers), folds up after the treatment period, does not require a concrete area, made up of a flexible tarpaulin , a pump and a Phytogest which will dehydrate the effluents using an electric power supply – those if they are stored in a bag and then given to Adivalor for treatment.
- To the most elaborate (individual or collective concrete areas with 1 or more tracks, common to several users (more durable and comfortable)
With all the elements:
- Specific to the area : brackets, screens, sludge traps, retention, volume meter, bracket, container rinse retention cap
- And accessories: premises and cupboards for the safe storage of plant protection products, can drainers, retention devices and user equipment (overalls, gloves, goggles, masks)