Another invention may flee overseas
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Tuesday, 22 February, 2000 - 21:00
A PUMP head that can draw fluid from virtually any surface has been invented in WA.
It does not require a vacuum seal to work – it can pump both air and water at the same time.
It has been tested on concrete, sandstone, blue metal, bitumen and even grass with outstanding results.
However, there is a real risk this invention will follow many other WA innovations overseas.
Merlin Environmental Steam Cleaning owner Garry Olsen developed the Zero Water head system out of frustration with existing options.
He wanted a system that would prevent polluted water from high pressure cleaning going into Perth’s drainage system.
Mr Olsen scavenged bits and pieces to create his system.
He uses a US-designed mat to block off the drains and a pump with the Zero Water head to draw off the liquid building up around the mat.
Mr Olsen said the pump head could draw up 99 per cent of the liquid.
With his environmental cleaning system, Mr Olsen runs the water drawn up by the pump through a filter system and recycles it for use in the cleaning process.
However, while the pump head was designed for use in the cleaning industry, Mr Olsen said it could be used in many other industries, such as mining, building and disaster relief.
Ironically, he was discussing his invention with the Fire & Rescue Service of WA just two days before a major fuel spill at Cannington. However, meetings with this and other agencies have so far proved fruitless.
“I’ve had problems with people accepting the technology here,” Mr Olsen said.
He is now considering selling the pump head to whoever wanted to use it.
He is also looking for an investor to provide funds for marketing the invention.
It does not require a vacuum seal to work – it can pump both air and water at the same time.
It has been tested on concrete, sandstone, blue metal, bitumen and even grass with outstanding results.
However, there is a real risk this invention will follow many other WA innovations overseas.
Merlin Environmental Steam Cleaning owner Garry Olsen developed the Zero Water head system out of frustration with existing options.
He wanted a system that would prevent polluted water from high pressure cleaning going into Perth’s drainage system.
Mr Olsen scavenged bits and pieces to create his system.
He uses a US-designed mat to block off the drains and a pump with the Zero Water head to draw off the liquid building up around the mat.
Mr Olsen said the pump head could draw up 99 per cent of the liquid.
With his environmental cleaning system, Mr Olsen runs the water drawn up by the pump through a filter system and recycles it for use in the cleaning process.
However, while the pump head was designed for use in the cleaning industry, Mr Olsen said it could be used in many other industries, such as mining, building and disaster relief.
Ironically, he was discussing his invention with the Fire & Rescue Service of WA just two days before a major fuel spill at Cannington. However, meetings with this and other agencies have so far proved fruitless.
“I’ve had problems with people accepting the technology here,” Mr Olsen said.
He is now considering selling the pump head to whoever wanted to use it.
He is also looking for an investor to provide funds for marketing the invention.