What to expect during a professional chemical tank cleaning service
A number of different industry sectors from agriculture to sewage use chemical tanks to store raw materials or to process, mix and transport them. Often, tanks, typically made from high or medium-density polyethylene or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), are bunded, i.e. a secondary outer shell is added, or indeed is required by environmental regulations, for extra safety. A proper bund should contain 110% of the tank’s total capacity.
When should chemical tanks be cleaned – and how often?
Chemical tanks should be cleaned and disinfected once a year as a minimum to get rid of sediment and biofilm, the microorganisms like bacteria, fungi or algae, which adhere to surfaces and are enclosed in a protective matrix of sugars and proteins. You also need to remove sludge, dangerous residues plus other contaminants. And you should do this as part of a regular programme of routine maintenance.
But there are a number of other situations in which cleaning you tank would be wise, if not mandatory. These include:
- When changing products in your tank
If you’re switching the type of product you’re storing in your tank, you’ll need thorough professional cleaning to be sure that no lingering residue from the last product stored can spoil the fresh one.
- Following an inspection
If corrosion in your chemical tank is identified during an inspection, or the tank has remained inactive or unused for a long period of time, or is not performing well, thorough cleaning becomes extremely important.
- As part of decommissioning a tank
If you’re taking away old stock or, for example, switching from red to white diesel in keeping with UK legal restrictions now in force across many sectors including construction, logistics and manufacturing, again proper cleaning of tanks is essential.
Why is chemical tank cleaning a job for the professionals?
While you may think you can clean your tank yourself, and this may well be possible in some low-key cases, often it’s simply not a DIY job.
If you have to enter the tank, for instance, there are real risks of exposure to dangerous vapours. So you need specialist confined-space training, permits and kit. Equally, if the unit previously held toxic, flammable or high-risk substances needing specialist hazardous waste handling and disposal, again it’s a task for the experts.
Additionally, in sectors like pharma and food, strict hygiene regulations will be in place. And, finally, if you are without the right PPE, respirators or confined-space monitoring equipment, you will be in no position to do an adequate job of cleaning your chemical tank.
What to expect from the cleaning process
Professional chemical tank cleaning is a highly structured process which always keeps safety issues front and centre. It involves specialist techniques like high-pressure water jetting or robotic cleaning and must always comply fully with relevant waste-disposal regulations.
Without it, you risk compromising product quality through cross-contamination, equipment failure potentially leading to a complete shutdown of works, environmental dangers plus the resultant non-compliance, alongside rapid tank deterioration which can be costly to put right.
The chemical tank cleaning process – how it works
- Pre-cleaning site prep and inspection
The professionals will assess what’s in your tank and its size, plus where it’s located, to devise a bespoke, 100% safe cleaning plan. Where the tank must be isolated from pipes and other equipment, and where confined-space permits are necessary, these things should take place at this stage.
If someone needs to physically enter the tank, the space must be thoroughly ventilated to clear poisonous or flammable gases, and then you need to monitor the air quality continually.
- The cleaning itself
This clears all residual chemicals, sediment and sludge with vacuum pumps, suction tubes or by extracting these substances manually.
If required, trained specialists in full hazard suits with breathing equipment will go into the tank physically to scrub and jet wash it inside. They may use specialised cleaning agents, such as alkalis, acids or solvents, to break down residues which are particularly stubborn or adhesive.
With automated or robotic cleaning, high-pressure rotating heads will be lowered into the tank to give 360° cleaning with no one actually entering it.
The pros will then flush the tank thoroughly with water to get rid of any residual cleaning agents or contaminants. Forced air drying follows next to stop microbial growth or corrosion – this technique uses fans or blowers to circulate heated or ambient air to remove any dampness quickly and consistently.
- Post-cleaning tasks
The experts will conduct a post-cleaning inspection of the tank’s interior to ascertain no debris remains. This sometimes also includes non-destructive testing to assess for leaks or corrosion and to assess structural integrity.
The company will also gather all hazardous waste and take it to a licensed disposal site. You will receive documentation showing you comply with relevant environmental legislation; this is also called waste transfer notes.
You should expect chemical tank cleaning to cause minimal disruption to the regular working of your business, especially with automated cleaning which doesn’t involve physical entry of the tank. Plus you should expect a personalised cleaning method tailored to the chemicals which your tank previously contained, and the material from which the tank is constructed.
Chemical tank cleaning from LV Fuel Services
At LV Fuel Services, we offer comprehensive, professional chemical tank cleaning services to keep your business running smoothly and at full capacity while following UK safety standards 100%.
We understand all the challenges involved in detail, plus our targeted solutions are aimed at avoiding major problems before they start to have an impact on your operations.
We know all about working in confined spaces but use advanced high-pressure water jetting systems to eliminate the need for physical entry.
So make us your partner in chemical tank maintenance – and benefit from our unswerving commitment to safety and proven expertise.
Get in touch today to learn how we can help you optimise your chemical tank routine maintenance schedule.
Email info@lvfuelservices.co.uk, call 0800 799 9739 or request a quote online.
