Real-Time Separator Monitoring Delivered Savings and Improved Maintenance Efficiency at the Linnainmaa and Elovainio Car Washes.
Reliable separator monitoring helps identify maintenance needs early, improve system performance, and deliver cost savings, as demonstrated by the separator monitoring solution implemented at Boss Gloss’s Elovainio and Linnainmaa car wash facilities.
Three new separator alarm systems were installed at the Boss Gloss car washes in Linnainmaa and Elovainio. Since all sites were equipped with sand separators, the idSET-32M control units were connected to idSET-SLU sludge sensors. At the car wash facilities, the system was further complemented with an idOil-OIL oil sensor for monitoring the oil layer in the separator.
The solution was driven by a practical need. The car washes had previously used equipment from a competing supplier, but issues with spare parts availability arose. The domestic manufacturing and local availability of Labkotec’s equipment enabled rapid delivery, which was essential for maintaining uninterrupted operations at the sites.
“The site originally used equipment from a competitor, but there would have been a delay of several months in obtaining spare parts, so we decided to purchase Labkotec equipment instead. The delivery was quick, and the devices were installed and fully operational the very next day,” says Miika Murtomäki of Boss Gloss.
Customer Benefits
Maintenance needs are identified in time: Separator monitoring helps detect emptying and maintenance needs at an early stage, enabling service activities to be planned according to actual requirements and helping to prevent more serious problems.
Cost savings and more efficient operations: Separator emptying can be carried out based on alarms at the right time, reducing unnecessary service visits and optimizing the use of resources.
Real-time data supports decision-making: Continuous separator monitoring provided visibility into anomalies and opportunities to improve maintenance practices that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Up-to-Date Information Helps Optimize Maintenance Activities
In sand separators, the idSET-SLU sensor generates an alarm when approximately one-third of the separator’s volume has been filled with sand and other solid material. The idSET-32M control units transmit alarm information to the LabkoNet cloud service, which then delivers notifications to users via email or text message.
The primary purpose of separator alarm systems is to protect the environment and ensure the proper operation of the system by preventing collected waste from entering the drainage network or the environment. In addition, the system helps optimize emptying operations and reduce unnecessary site visits, resulting in cost savings for the property owner.
At Boss Gloss, the system has proven easy to use.
“The devices have worked well. We monitor LabkoNet from time to time, and we always check the situation when an alarm is received. The alarms have indicated when emptying was needed, and we have responded accordingly. The system has been trouble-free to use,” says Miika Murtomäki.
Separator Monitoring Revealed Hidden Challenges
At the Elovainio car wash, three sand separators are connected in series, meaning that the performance of one separator directly affects the operation of the others. Separator emptying is carried out either as a separately ordered service or according to a predefined maintenance schedule.
According to Boss Gloss’s experience, challenges arose at the Elovainio site when all separators connected in series were not emptied simultaneously or with the same level of thoroughness. This affected water flow and caused the first separator to fill more quickly than normal. Based on the data provided by the separator monitoring system, emptying practices were refined in cooperation with the service provider.
The system also revealed issues that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
“Thanks to separator monitoring, the need to empty one separator at the Elovainio car wash was identified in time. Without continuous monitoring, the situation could have gone unnoticed, but we were able to react promptly,” Murtomäki notes.
By implementing separator monitoring, Boss Gloss was able to refine its maintenance practices and ensure the consistent performance of the system. Real-time information on separator status makes it possible to schedule emptying operations based on actual need, reducing unnecessary service visits and optimizing resource utilization.
“During winter, it is difficult to inspect the condition of the separators on-site. We have been able to rely on the measurements and alarms when ordering emptying services. Emptying is carried out based on the alarms, which helps prevent horizontal pipes from becoming clogged. That would be a much bigger problem,” says Murtomäki.
Real-time monitoring leads directly to cost savings while improving operational efficiency. At the same time, it minimizes the risk of overflows and helps ensure an environmentally safe and reliable system.
Smooth Cooperation Brought Confidence to Daily Operations
The cooperation with Labkotec has also received praise.
“Fast response times and issues get resolved quickly. Everything has gone smoothly, and we haven’t had any concerns with Labkotec,” Murtomäki summarizes.
“Fast response times and issues get resolved quickly.”
