Machine or person that cleans streets in urban areas
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This article is about cleaning streets. For other uses, see Streetsweeper (disambiguation)
"Street cleaner" redirects here. For the industrial metal album, see Streetcleaner
"Sweepers" redirects here. For other uses, see Sweeper (disambiguation)
A street sweeper clearing dirt and debris from a bike lane in Minneapolis in .
A street sweeper or street cleaner is a person or machine that cleans streets.
People have worked in cities as "sanitation workers" since sanitation and waste removal became a priority. A street-sweeping person would use a broom and shovel to clean off litter, animal waste and filth that accumulated on streets. Later, water hoses were used to wash the streets.
Street sweepers as machines were created in the 19th century to do the job easier. Today, modern street sweepers are mounted on truck bodies and can vacuum debris that accumulates in streets.
History
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Manual sweeping
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Road sweeper working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The need for rubbish to be removed from roads in built-up areas has existed for centuries.
Sometimes a local law in a town or city ordered the owner or occupier of each address to clean the length of that road that passed his address.
Sometimes when much traffic was horse-drawn vehicles or ridden horses, there were street cleaners who selectively removed horse droppings because of their value as fertilizer on nearby rural areas.
Mechanical sweepers in the United Kingdom
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Mechanical street sweeper by Joseph Whitworth,
By the s, Manchester, England, had become known as the first industrial city. Manchester had one of the largest textile industries of that time. As a result, the robust metropolis was said to be England's unhealthiest place to live.[1] In response to this unsanitary environment, Joseph Whitworth invented the mechanical street sweeper. The street sweeper was designed with the primary objective to remove rubbish from streets in order to maintain aesthetic goals and safety.[2][3]
Mechanical sweepers in the United States
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The very first street sweeping machine was patented in by its inventor, C.S. Bishop. For a long time, street sweepers were just rotating disks covered with wire bristles. These rotating disks served as mechanical brooms that swept the dirt on the streets.[4]
The first self-propelled sweeper vehicle patented in the US, driven by a steam engine and intended for cleaning railroad tracks, was patented in , patent No. . Eureka C. Bowne was the first known woman to get a patent for a street sweeper, in , patent No. . "Her success was great", wrote Matilda Joslyn Gage in The North American Review, volume 136, issue 318, May .[5]
In , African-American inventor Charles Brooks improved on then-conventional street sweeping inventions by making the front brushes of different lengths, and by including a mechanism for collection and disposal of debris. The revolving front brushes could also be replaced with a scraper to remove snow or ice. Brooks was granted a U.S. patent for the invention in .[6] Most of the more than 300 street sweeper patents issued in the United States before , including the one in Brooks' patent, had no engine on board. The wheels on the cart turned gears or chains which drove the brush and belt.
Elgin Sweeper blueprint
John M. Murphy called at the offices of American Tower and Tank Company in Elgin, Illinois, in the fall of . He had a plan of a motor-driven pickup street sweeper. The American Tower and Tank Company had been formed in by Charles A. Whiting and James Todd. They called in a recently acquired silent partner, Daniel M. Todd, and it was decided to hire Murphy and begin the development of his idea. That started what has become the Elgin Sweeper Company.[7]
After two years of trial, development, experimentation, and research, a sweeper was achieved which Murphy was satisfied performed all of the sweeping functions in the manner he had envisioned &#; one which partners James and Daniel M. Todd and Charles A. Whiting were willing to risk a reputation gained from 30 years' manufacturing experience.[7]
In the fall of , the city of Boise, Idaho, purchased the first Elgin Sweeper, following a demonstration. Boise Street Commissioner, Thomas Finegan, made a comparison showing a savings of $2,716.77 from the Elgin motorized sweeper when used rather than a horse-drawn sweeper.[7]
Following its introduction and initial sales, Murphy continued improving his sweeper. In , US patents were filed and issues for J. M. Murphy, Street Sweeping machine No. 1,239,293.[7]
Technological advancement
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The goal of simple debris removal did not change until the s, when policymakers began to reflect concern for water quality. In the United States, the lag time in which street sweepers responded can be pinpointed to the Runoff Report of .[8] As older street sweepers were only effective in removing large particles of road debris, small particles of debris remained behind in large quantities.[9] The remaining debris was not seen as an aesthetic issue because rain would wash them away. Today, small particles are known to carry a substantial portion of the stormwater pollutant load.
Street sweeping can be an effective measure in reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff.[10] The Environmental Protection Agency considers street sweeping a best practice in protecting water quality.
Modern sweepers
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Sweeper is used to clean a sidewalk alongside pedestrians in Philadelphia,
Street sweepers are capable of collecting small particles of debris.[2] Many street sweepers produced today are PM10 and PM2.5 certified,[3] meaning that they are capable of collecting and holding particulate matter sized less than 10μm and even down to 2.5μm.[11]
Despite advancements in street sweeping technology, the mechanical broom type street sweeper accounts for approximately 90 percent of all street sweepers used in the United States today.[12] In , Boschung, a Swiss street sweeper manufacturer, launched the Urban-Sweeper S2.0, the first fully electric street sweeper releasing zero emissions.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Shenzhen Dongfeng sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Gallery
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See also
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References
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External image
An example of a street sweeper tram from the early 20th century, Holyoke St. Rwy ()
Have you ever wondered how street sweepers keep our roads clean and free from debris? Street Sweeping is over one hundred years old, and while the benefits and some of the basic mechanics have stayed the same, there have also been several innovations and changes &#; one machine may vary greatly from the next. The type of debris and surface of the street determine what kind of street sweeper is best for the job. In order to choose the right machine for the best possible outcome, you need to know how street sweepers work.
What Is a Street Sweeper?
A street sweeper is a specialized vehicle designed to clean and maintain the cleanliness of streets, roads, air, and stormwater. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of urban areas. Street sweepers are equipped with various features and mechanisms that enable them to effectively remove debris, dust, leaves, and other waste from the surface of the road.
Types of Street Sweepers
There are different types of street sweepers available, each designed to suit specific cleaning requirements. Some of the common types include mechanical broom sweepers, regenerative air sweepers, vacuum sweepers, and waterless sweepers.
- Mechanical broom sweepers use rotating brushes to sweep and collect debris into a hopper or debris body.
- Regenerative air sweepers use a combination of suction and high-velocity air to pick up debris.
- Vacuum sweepers operate similarly but use a vacuum system to collect the debris.
Waterless sweepers
, on the other hand, use a combination of mechanical and vacuum systems to sweep and collect debris, and utilize shrouded brooms for dust control instead of water nozzles.
Regardless of the type, street sweepers share some common features. They usually have a wide sweeping path to cover a larger area in less time. Street sweepers are equipped with brushes or brooms that rotate at high speeds to dislodge debris from the surface. The collected debris is then transferred to a hopper or a collection bin for disposal. Many street sweepers also have a water system to dampen the surface and control dust while sweeping.
Mechanics of Street Sweepers
Street sweepers typically employ a combination of water, brooms, and vacuum systems to efficiently remove debris from the road surface. Let's take a closer look at each of these components and how they contribute to the sweeping process. The mechanism of street sweepers involves a series of steps that work together to achieve optimal cleaning results.
First, water is sprayed onto the road surface to help loosen dirt, dust, and other particles. This water serves as a lubricant, making it easier for the brooms and vacuum systems to capture the debris and to control dust.
Next, the brooms, usually made of strong polypropylene or steel bristles, rotate rapidly to brush the road surface and agitate the debris. As the side brooms sweep over the road, they dislodge the dirt and push it towards the center of the sweeper. Some side brooms extend beyond the width of the vehicle, allowing them to reach and clean the edges of the road.
In mechanical sweepers, main brooms then sweep the debris onto a conveyor that deposits the debris into the hopper. The two conveyor systems are belts or squeegee elevators, and the best conveyor for the job depends on the collected debris. For larger debris, the belt is recommended, for smaller and lighter debris a squeegee elevator may be better. Mechanical sweepers are the most popular design, as well as least expensive. This makes sense given their versatility; they are put to work everywhere from urban and rural to industrial and construction environments.
In regenerative air sweepers, the side brooms move debris from the curb line into the path of the sweeping head. The regenerative air system is a closed loop airflow system that forces high pressure air to the sweeping surface from one side of the sweeping head, dislodging fine particulate matter from the voids in the sweeping surface, and is then vacuumed into the hopper from the suction side of the sweeping head. As the debris ladened air enters the hopper, it is subjected to a complex path where the airstream is sped up and slowed down, allowing debris to fall into the hopper. Clean air then enters the fan housing, repeating the journey. Regenerative air sweepers are most effective on even surfaces and permeable pavement, and are the sweeper of choice for airports and racetracks.
In vacuum sweepers, once the side brooms dislodge debris and move it to the center the vacuum moves it into the hopper. Like a shop vac for the road, this system creates a powerful suction force that pulls in the loosened debris, along with any dust or fine particles that might be present and deposits them in the hopper. Pure vacuum sweepers are ideally suited for uneven, patched roads and permeable pavement, as well as jobs involving dirt, sand, millings, and general applications.
In all types of sweeping the hopper can be emptied later at a designated disposal site. The sweeping process is designed to efficiently collect a wide range of debris, including leaves, litter, sand, and even larger items like broken glass or branches. By using a combination of water, brooms, and vacuum systems, street sweepers ensure that our roads remain clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.
Waterless sweepers utilize the same mechanics as other sweepers, but have a skirt or cover to control dust and keep it within the sweepers path to be cleaned up and minimize kicking the dust up into the air. Waterless sweepers are often used when sweeping around elements that do not mix well with water, such as a cement plant, or in cold weather climates where there is a risk of the water freezing.
Knowing what result you are trying to achieve with street sweeping will help you know which type of sweeping system to employ.
Importance of Street Sweepers
Street sweepers play a vital role in maintaining clean and well-kept streets in our communities. They offer a range of benefits that contribute to a healthier environment, enhanced public safety, and improved aesthetics.
One of the primary benefits of clean streets is the reduction of pollution. Street sweepers effectively remove debris, trash, and pollutants from road surfaces, preventing them from entering storm drains and polluting our waterways. Mechanical sweepers are best for picking up large debris as they often have more space for debris to enter the hopper. By keeping streets clean, street sweepers help to improve water quality and protect aquatic life.
Illustration by Chris Tylec / WAMU
Benefits of Clean Streets
Additionally, street sweeping has a positive environmental impact. By removing leaves, grass clippings, and other organic materials, sweepers prevent them from decomposing and releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. This helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
While we can see the benefits of a street sweeper, even more important is the debris that we can&#;t see. Street sweepers pick up particulate matter that can also get into our water systems, and our air. When street sweepers clean up particulate matter it prevents the microscopic pollution from being kicked up into the air by cars on the road. Particulate matter is small enough to be inhaled, which makes cleaning up this pollution important for air quality. Without street sweeping the particulate matter will likely end up washed into storm drains when it rains, which makes street sweeping a helpful measure in preventing water pollution. Regenerative air and vacuum sweepers are particularly good at picking up the lighter and finer particulate matter.
Street sweepers also play a crucial role in enhancing public safety. They remove hazardous materials such as broken glass, nails, and other sharp objects that can pose a threat to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. By keeping streets clean and free from debris, sweepers can help to prevent accidents and injuries.
Furthermore, street sweepers contribute to the overall aesthetics of our neighborhoods. Clean streets create a positive first impression and make our communities more inviting. Well-maintained streets can boost property values and attract businesses, residents, and tourists.
When it comes to street sweeping, Elgin Sweeper is a leading provider of innovative and efficient sweepers. Their state-of-the-art technology ensures thorough and effective cleaning while minimizing environmental impact. With a range of sweepers designed for different applications, Elgin Sweeper offers reliable solutions to keep our streets clean and safe.
Are you interested in learning more about Sweeping Truck? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!