Improving Efficiency in Tank Cleaning
By Djebah A. Preston (Twitter: @DJEBAHPRESTON)Manager Cleaning & Decontamination, the Initiates PLC
Introduction
Tank cleaning, whether it is crude storage tank, vessel tank, FPSOs, requires efficient and reliable cleaning methods and technology. Inefficient cleaning can result in product contamination, loss of man-hour and loss in revenue. The cost of failure can be inestimable hence the need to consider highly efficient methods.
This article will highlight ways to optimize consumption of Heat energy, mechanical action, chemical action and the time taken to clean a particular tank.
What makes for an efficient tank cleaning?
In any cleaning method or equipment deployed for cleaning, four (4) elements should be critically considered in order to achieve an effective cleaning and as well reduce the cost associated with each component. These elements are:
- Energy– Heated water or wash fluid can improve the efficiency of tank cleaning as very few materials are able to withstand high temperature wash fluid during cleaning. Chemical properties of the wash chemical can also be distorted if the right temperature is not maintained hence it is important to note the recommended temperature of the cleaning chemical as prescribed by the manufacturer.
- Chemical Action- It is essential to select the right chemical product that will be best suited for your cleaning operation so as to obtain optimum result without creating more problems associated with disposal of resultant waste. Chemicals such as naphtha or caustic soda can increase in the dissolution effect during tank cleaning.
- Mechanical Action– This is the physical action of cleaning and/or dislodgement of sludge during tank cleaning, for instance the pressure of the wash fluid from cleaning nozzle. In this regard, it is very important to understand the cleaning tools and most importantly, to carry out an integrity test on the tank or know the pressure rating of the tank as inappropriate pressure application from the nozzle can result in destruction or damage to the tank.
- Time– The duration required for the cleaning. In the case of automated cleaning heads, this will refer to the number of cycles or time which the cleaning head rotates to cover every surface of the tank being cleaned.
These four elements or actions make up the Sinner’s circle. Increase in any of these elements will result in proportional cleaning efficiency. However, it is important to note that there is a cost attached to each of these elements and a good understanding of these cost effect and optimization of each of the elements during cleaning will generally increase the overall efficiency of the cleaning and reduce the associated cost of cleaning.
Time, chemical action, mechanical action and heat are variable and can be combined in different proportions depending on the material stored in the tank, the surface area of the tank, and the resources available to perform a good clean.
When one of the factors is reduced, compensation should be made for by one or more of the other factors.
The Initiates PLC Robotic Tank Cannon is designed with these four elements in mind. The Robotic Tank Cannon is a remote control high volume jetting system with a fully articulated nozzle. With a high discharge rate (up to 300 GPM @ 300 PSI), the Tank Cannon moves hydraulically and mines the sludge deposits inside a tank and turns them into pump-able slurry.
The Cannon moves horizontally in a 360O circle and vertically from –10O to +90O. The Time element can be factored as the Control operator can manually regulate the nozzle travel speeds both traverse and elevation. With this, he can determine the number of cycles needed to complete the cleaning.
This equipment combines the efficiency gains in Time and Mechanical action in delivering efficient cleaning. The jets emanating from the nozzles can be adjusted travel up to 20 meters with very little significant pressure drops making it suitable for cleaning very large tanks. And of course, the high pressure jetting pump plays a very important role in this delivery.
In most of the cleaning it has been used for, like that of the NPDC facility in Oredo, Benin City, the heat element was completely removed as it was fully compensated for by the mechanical actions (high pressure from the jetting nozzle). The cost associated with chemical action was greatly reduced as very little chemical was used in the operation.
Conclusion
Improving efficiency in tank cleaning will require considering the four elements of your cleaning mix and the efficiency gains in the elements. A good understanding of your equipment and cleaning tools will help you optimize the elements and even give you an idea of what elements you can do without.
WHO WE ARE
The Initiates Plc. (TIP) is a professional Waste Management company Located in Port Harcourt Nigeria, delivering Waste Management, Industrial Cleaning and Decontamination services to both Private and Public sectors. TIP is quoted on the Floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
TIP has a multi-disciplinary and flexible workforce and all relevant permits necessary for delivering waste management and industrial cleaning services.
Download: The Initiate Plc Profile