TANK CLEANING WITH MINIMAL PERSONNEL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

摘要

Cleaning hydrocarbon storage tanks can be a refiner's nightmare. Interrelated operational, environmental and personnel exposure concerns, combined with new regulations that mandate periodic inspection and repair, make tank maintenance and cleaning a complex issue. Additionally, the recent (February 1999) reclassifica-tion of "black oil" tank solids as hazardous waste has had a dramatic impact on environmental and disposal considerations. Cost of hazardous waste disposal has increased to 6-8 times that of the nonhazardous rate. In many cases, these changes have made it difficult for refiners to clean their own tanks, creating a demand for specialized tank cleaning professionals to help manage the process. This paper will present the problems associated with tank cleaning, as well as recent technologies designed to control the related costs, and risks. Highlighted is an individualized, total-project-management program specifically designed to eliminate operational interruptions; reduce total hazardous waste; limit personnel exposure; and coordinate timely completion of the project.