The Behr Iron processing facility accepts turnings, punchings, screw stock, stampings and other scrap from Rockford area industries. Despite draining or spinning operations, significant quantities of cutting and cooling oils cling to such scrap when it is received by the processing facility. Some scrap processing facilities already have been cited as environmentally hazardous. Unfortunately, companies supplying scrap to these facilities have been forced to participate in costly EPA-Mandated clean up operations, even if their scrap was not contaminated by oil! The above diagram shows one of the major steps taken by Behr Iron & Steel, Inc. to protect its customers from environmental concerns

Behr Iron uses a two stage system to recover cooling and cutting oils clinging to arriving scrap. Over 2 acres of reinforced concrete collection pads are used to receive and store incoming scrap, insuring that no oil contaminates the ground. Oil, rainwater and cooling water runoff flows at a controlled rate from the collection pads to the first treatment stage where oil is separated by gravity.

The remaining mixture of emulsified oil and water flows to a second treatment stage. Using chemical treatment and mechanical equipment, a compressed sludge cake and an effluent are produced. The sludge cake is disposed of as a special waste.The effluent, which is released to the Rock River Water Reclamation District, has residual oil content well below limits mandated by the District. This system is representative of Behr Iron and Steel’s commitment to protect its customers in environmental matters.