Crow to launch new shock absorber de-pollution technology

The Ipswich-based company is to launch the patented device at the Stoneleigh Live exhibition near Coventry on March 15.

Crow Environmental's new shock drainer aims to improve health and safety in ELV depollution without breaking the bank

The draining of shock absorbers is mandatory for all licensed de-pollution facilities under the ELV Regulations. Some dismantlers have ignored this requirement in the past, but with mounting regulatory pressure from the Environment Agency, the requirement cannot be ignored.

Crow Environmental is aiming to provide its new shock absorber draining tool at a lower cost than technology currently available – under 2,000 per unit – while ensuring high standards of health and safety.

Managing director David Pinner said: “We have developed a tool to pierce the shock absorber and seal itself against the shock absorber while it drains out the fluid. It can drain a shock absorber in as little as one minute.”

Safe
The Crow unit works with a suction tube powered by compressed air, which makes it safe to operate while draining fuel and can be connected to most existing systems or standalone collection tanks.

Some existing technology uses sealing rings that clamp to the shock absorber before drilling the casing to drain the fluid, but Crow said their system speeds up this process and can avoid the blocking the sometimes arises on other equipment.

Mr Pinner told letsrecycle.com that some companies have been satisfied to de-pollute shock absorbers by simply drilling through the casings to allow the fluid to drain out. But, he explained that this can have serious health and safety implications with the fluid spurting out without much control.

The shock drainer will be available as part of Crow Environmental's vehicle de-pollution system or as a stand alone product to upgrade existing systems.

Crow has supplied its de-pollution systems across the UK, including 40 sites run by metal recycling firm EMR (see letsrecycle.com story).

For more details of all the companies exhibiting at the Stoneleigh Live exhibition on March 15 and March 16 – and the chance to register as a visitor online – see the official website.