The process of crude oil storage tank cleaning, or what is commonly called as Crude Oil Washing (COW), is the procedure followed when cleaning this kind of storage using oil itself. Before strict regulations for environmental reasons became mandatory, jets that sprayed seawater was used in cleansing these containers. Also, prior to the introduction of ballast tanks, water had to be stored on the same place to properly immerse the ship for its propeller.
After some time, multiple regulations has been introduced to lessen the waste produced when cleaning the tanker ships after every trip. The owners of these vessels have also found ways to use these regulations in order to lessen the oil waste to decrease costs in running them. In here, we will be tackling the many advancements for the past few decades up until the current regulations of the industry.
Thousands of tanker ships carry oil from rig platforms to refineries for processing every day. Thus, it is important to ensure the profitability of each delivery and to lower costs as much as possible. One easy way was to clean the tanks that were storing fuels regularly. If left unattended, the fuels will form a sticky layer on the walls that will not be transferred to the refinery and will be weight that the tanker would need to carry on its way back to the platform.
Initially, the cleaning method used was to pump in heated seawater and jet sprayed to remove the layer of oils from the surface, which were then pumped overboard. This method resulted in high amounts of fuel being discharged into the sea. Pollutants were highly concentrated on piers and docks where the ships were being cleaned.
In 1954, the Oil Pollution Convention (OILPOL) was adopted as a measure to lessen pollution through the prohibition of the release of waste within 50 miles from the nearest land. On some instances, this limit was extended to 100 miles on environmentally protected sites, where the spillage may have very grave impacts.
Due to the pollution that was still being produced by the OILPOL adaption, a new process was introduced where the tanks were still cleaned using pressurized heated water, but instead of disposing the waste, it is first placed into a special slop tank. While the ship is on its return voyage, the oil, which is lighter than water, would eventually float on top. The water, which settled at the bottom, will be returned to the sea. This process is called the Load on Top.
With the new process, an estimated 8 million tons of fuel per year had been prevented from being dumped into the sea. This also meant that the salvaged petroleum could be reused and mixed on a fresh batch of crude oil, thus, resulting in additional profits to the owner.
Another improvement for the crude oil storage tank cleaning process was once again introduced and called the Crude Oil Washing, which used pressurized fuel and sprayed onto the walls to remove the layered sediments that got stuck. This latest process eliminated the use of water, thus removing the need to separate the petroleum from a cleansing agent that would usually produce waste.
After some time, multiple regulations has been introduced to lessen the waste produced when cleaning the tanker ships after every trip. The owners of these vessels have also found ways to use these regulations in order to lessen the oil waste to decrease costs in running them. In here, we will be tackling the many advancements for the past few decades up until the current regulations of the industry.
Thousands of tanker ships carry oil from rig platforms to refineries for processing every day. Thus, it is important to ensure the profitability of each delivery and to lower costs as much as possible. One easy way was to clean the tanks that were storing fuels regularly. If left unattended, the fuels will form a sticky layer on the walls that will not be transferred to the refinery and will be weight that the tanker would need to carry on its way back to the platform.
Initially, the cleaning method used was to pump in heated seawater and jet sprayed to remove the layer of oils from the surface, which were then pumped overboard. This method resulted in high amounts of fuel being discharged into the sea. Pollutants were highly concentrated on piers and docks where the ships were being cleaned.
In 1954, the Oil Pollution Convention (OILPOL) was adopted as a measure to lessen pollution through the prohibition of the release of waste within 50 miles from the nearest land. On some instances, this limit was extended to 100 miles on environmentally protected sites, where the spillage may have very grave impacts.
Due to the pollution that was still being produced by the OILPOL adaption, a new process was introduced where the tanks were still cleaned using pressurized heated water, but instead of disposing the waste, it is first placed into a special slop tank. While the ship is on its return voyage, the oil, which is lighter than water, would eventually float on top. The water, which settled at the bottom, will be returned to the sea. This process is called the Load on Top.
With the new process, an estimated 8 million tons of fuel per year had been prevented from being dumped into the sea. This also meant that the salvaged petroleum could be reused and mixed on a fresh batch of crude oil, thus, resulting in additional profits to the owner.
Another improvement for the crude oil storage tank cleaning process was once again introduced and called the Crude Oil Washing, which used pressurized fuel and sprayed onto the walls to remove the layered sediments that got stuck. This latest process eliminated the use of water, thus removing the need to separate the petroleum from a cleansing agent that would usually produce waste.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.petro-genesis.com for more helpful information about Improvements In Crude Oil Storage Tank Cleaning Of Tankers
0 التعليقات:
Post a Comment