Callemondah Water Conservation 

QR and Palmer Technologies Pty Ltd have developed a patented process for the treatment of oily water sludges. The project began at QR’s Rollingstock Depot and maintenance facility at Callemondah near Gladstone, Queensland. Due to the drought and increasing water restrictions in the Gladstone area, Callemondah staff initiated a project to identify where water use across the site could be conserved. A key area identified was the high pressure cleaning of locomotives. Investigations found that this cleaning area was using a significant amount of water which resulted in the production of an oily-water-sludge waste stream (including distillate, greases and oil) and grit.

Through investigations with Palmer Technologies Pty Ltd, it was identified that by installing an effective system of treatment, an opportunity existed to recycle the water on site and as such reduce raw water consumption.

The patented treatment process separates the solids, oil and water streams in such a way that all three streams can be recycled. The process uses no chemical treatment, only small amounts of acid or alkali for pH adjustment and can treat oily/sludge water continuously at 50L/min. The technology has a low operating cost, is fully automated and can be fitted to existing plants.