Parts washing system

Abstract

Provided is a parts washer that includes a multi-tiered basin, a cleaning fluid and a biological component, living within the fluid, that breaks down organic waste. The multi-tiered basin includes a sink member with a false bottom, and a support grid and filter are interposed between the false bottom and a bottom panel of the sink member. The false bottom, support grid, and filter are readily removable from the sink member. The tank is partially filled with the cleaning fluid and a pump and conduit assembly direct a flow of the cleaning fluid to the basin. The cleaning fluid discharged into the basin flows through a drain hole in the false bottom, through the filter and support grid, and then through a drain hole in the bottom panel of the sink member back into the tank for reuse. The cleaning fluid includes, at least, a surfactant that functions to remove organic waste from the parts being washed. The biological component within the cleaning fluid includes nonpathogenic microorganisms that break down the organic waste. The cleaning fluid is not toxic to the microorganisms. The pump and conduit assembly, in addition to aiding in the removal of organic waste, functions to aerate the cleaning fluid to maintain a proper environment for the microorganisms. A heater, thermostat, and level control assembly function to maintain the cleaning fluid within ascertain temperature range so as to aid in the removal of organic waste and maintain a proper environment for the microorganisms.

1 - 22  (Cancelled)  
     
     
         23 . A method for cleaning organic matter from a part comprising: 
 placing a part in a basin, wherein the basin includes a drain in flow communication with a tank containing a biodegradable non-caustic non-flammable oil dispersant cleaning and degreasing fluid;    pumping the fluid from the tank into the basin in order to contact the part with the fluid; and    biodegrading the organic matter in the tank with a biological component in the fluid.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further including heating the fluid.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further including monitoring the temperature of the fluid.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein a thermostat cooperates with both the fluid and a heater for heating the fluid, whereby the thermostat activates and deactivates the heater.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further including monitoring the fluid level in the tank with a level sensor, wherein the level sensor cooperates with both the fluid and a heater for heating the fluid, whereby the level sensor deactivates the heater.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , further including filtering the fluid.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein filtering of the fluid occurs as the fluid passes from the basin to the tank.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the basin includes a sink member defining a first drain aperture therethrough and including at least a bottom panel and side walls extending upward from said bottom panel and defining a basin cavity therebetween, a partition member defining a second drain aperture therethrough, wherein the first partition member is disposed above the bottom panel and extends between the side walls and a filter interposed between the first partition and the bottom.  
     
     
         31 . A method for cleaning a part having organic matter thereon comprising: 
 placing the part in a basin;    pumping into the basin fluid from a tank containing a biological component whereby the organic matter is washed from the part;    draining the fluid and the organic matter from the basin to the tank;    biodegrading within the fluid in the tank the organic matter with the biological component; and    filtering the fluid as the fluid drains from the basin to the tank.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the fluid contains a biodegradable non-caustic non-flammable oil dispersant cleaning and degreasing fluid.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further including heating the fluid in the tank.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further including monitoring the temperature of the fluid with a thermostat that activates and deactivates a heater for heating the fluid.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the basin includes a sink member defining a first drain aperture therethrough and including at least a bottom panel and side walls extending upward from said bottom panel and defining a basin cavity therebetween, a partition member defining a second drain aperture therethrough, wherein the first partition member is disposed above the bottom panel and extends between the side walls and a filter interposed between the first partition and the bottom.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , further including providing a filter medium carrying a biological component in flow communication with a tank.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further including releasing the biological component from the filter medium and into the tank.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the biological component includes microorganisms that can degrade hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the biological component includes microorganisms that can degrade hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the filtering step includes separating particulate matter from the fluid at a filter comprising micron-rated media, while passing the fluid, organic matter, and microorganisms through the filter.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid particulate matter of a size greater than the size of a microorganism, and said media does not have affinity for hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid substantially all particulate matter of a size greater than or equal to 10 microns, and said media does not have affinity for hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid substantially all particulate matter of a size greater than or equal to 10 microns, and said media does not have affinity for hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of circulating with the fluid sludge from the bottom of the tank to the basin and through a filter.  
     
     
         45 . A method of washing an article fouled with organic matter, comprising the steps of: 
 placing an article fouled with organic matter in a first chamber;    circulating a washing fluid from a second chamber to the first chamber to wash the surfaces of the article in contact with the fluid and from the first chamber into the second chamber,    removing organic matter in the washing fluid wherein the step of removing the organic matter from the fluid comprises biologically degrading the organic matter through the use of microorganisms;    re-circulating the washing fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber, wherein the microorganisms flow with the washing fluid;    directing substantially all washing fluid, particulate matter, organic matter and microorganisms which move between the chambers to a filter medium positioned in the flowpath between the chambers, and    passing washing fluid, organic matter, and microorganisms through said filter medium while holding back particulate matter at the filter medium.    
     
     
         46 . The Method of  claim 45 , and further comprising the step of draining the washing fluid from the first chamber into the second chamber, through a drain proximate the bottom of the first chamber.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of environmentally controlling the fluid to provide a desired bioremediation condition.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the passing step comprises the step of passing the washing fluid, organic matter, and microorganisms through a filter pad positioned in the flowpath defined from the first chamber and prior to the second chamber.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein all fluid is moved between the first chamber and the second chamber by means of a circulating mechanism to form a closed loop re-circulation.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of heating the washing fluid to a desired temperature by means of a heating mechanism.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the first and second chambers are located within a common housing, and the method further includes the steps of maintaining substantially all fluids, microorganisms, organic matter and other non-particulate matter within the housing while the placing, circulating, removing and re-circulating steps are performed repeatedly.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of filtering the circulating fluid, including separating particulate matter from the fluid at a filter medium, while passing the fluid, organic matter, microorganisms and other non-particulate matter through the filter medium.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid substantially all particulate matter of a size greater than the size of a hydrocarbon-degrading microorganism, and said media does not have affinity for hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid substantially all particulate matter of a size greater than or equal to 10 microns.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of circulating with the fluid sludge from the bottom of the second chamber to the first chamber and through a filter.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of filtering the circulating fluid, including separating particulate matter from the fluid at the filter medium comprising micron-rated media, while passing the fluid, organic matter, microorganisms and other non-particulate matter through the filter medium.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid substantially all particulate matter of a size greater than the size of a microorganism, and said media does not have affinity for hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid particulate matter of a size greater than or equal to 10 microns, and said media does not have affinity for hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the separating step includes separating from the fluid substantially all particulate matter of a size greater than or equal to 10 microns, and said media does not have affinity for hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the steps of: 
 heating the fluid within the second chamber;    measuring the temperature of the fluid, wherein the heating step is responsive to the step of measuring the temperature; and    measuring the level of the fluid, wherein the heating step is responsive to the step of measuring the level.    
     
     
         61 . A method of washing, over an extended operation period, a plurality of articles fouled with organic matter, comprising the steps of: 
 placing at least one article fouled with organic matter in a first chamber;    circulating a washing fluid from a second chamber to the first chamber to wash the surfaces of the article in contact with the fluid and from the first chamber into the second chamber,    removing organic matter in the washing fluid wherein the step of removing the organic matter from the fluid comprises biologically degrading the organic matter through the use of microorganisms;    re-circulating the washing fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber, wherein the microorganisms flow with the washing fluid;    repeating the placing step for other articles;    repeating the circulating, removing and re-circulating steps;    returning to the second chamber substantially all liquid that leaves either the first chamber or the second chamber during the extended operation period;    biodegrading within at least one of the first chamber and second chamber substantially all organic matter which fouled the plurality of articles;    retaining within at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber substantially all organic matter until biodegradation thereof is complete.    
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the first and second chambers are located within a common housing, and the method further includes the step of, once they are initially placed in one of the first and second chamber, retaining substantially all fluids, microorganisms, organic matter and other non-particulate matter within the housing while the other steps are being performed repeatedly.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising the step of circulating sludge with the washing fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising the step of 
 directing substantially all washing fluid, particulate matter, organic matter and microorganisms which move between the chambers to a filter medium positioned in the flowpath between the chambers, and    passing washing fluid, organic matter, and microorganisms through said filter medium while holding back particulate matter at the filter medium.    
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising the step of 
 directing substantially all washing fluid, particulate matter, organic matter and microorganisms which move between the chambers to a filter medium positioned in the flowpath between the chambers, and    passing washing fluid, organic matter, and microorganisms through said filter medium while holding back particulate matter at the filter medium.