There are four main methods for cleaning fuel tanks: dry cleaning, wet cleaning, steam cleaning, and chemical cleaning. Here’s a breakdown of the procedures and safety requirements for each method:
1. Dry Cleaning Method
- Remove any remaining fuel from the tank.
- Ventilate the tank to eliminate fuel vapors and ensure the gas concentration is within a safe range.
- Personnel enter the tank to clean oil residue, water, and other sediment.
- Use sawdust to perform the dry cleaning.
- Remove the sawdust and use copper tools to eliminate any localized rust.
- Thoroughly wipe the tank clean with a mop.
- Perform a quality inspection of the dry cleaning.
2. Wet Cleaning Method
- Remove any remaining fuel from the tank.
- Ventilate the tank to eliminate fuel vapors and ensure the gas concentration is within a safe range.
- Personnel enter the tank to clean oil residue, water, and other sediment.
- Use high-pressure water (290–490 KPa) to wash off oil residue and light rust inside the tank.
- Quickly remove the wastewater and wipe the tank clean with a mop.
- Dry the tank by blowing in dry air.
- Use copper tools to remove any localized rust.
- Conduct a quality inspection of the wet cleaning.
3. Steam Cleaning Method
- Remove any remaining fuel from the tank.
- Ventilate the tank to eliminate fuel vapors and ensure the gas concentration is within a safe range.
- Personnel enter the tank to clean oil residue, water, and other sediment.
- Clean the tank with steam, which is particularly useful for sticky oil residues.
- Wash off oil residue using high-pressure water, remove the wastewater, and perform dry cleaning with sawdust.
- Use copper tools to remove localized rust.
- Wipe the tank thoroughly with a mop.
- Perform a quality inspection of the steam cleaning.
4. Chemical Cleaning Method
- Remove any remaining fuel from the tank.
- Ventilate the tank to eliminate fuel vapors and ensure the gas concentration is within a safe range.
- Personnel enter the tank to clean oil residue, water, and other sediment.
- Use a tank cleaning device to spray water on the system and equipment.
- Perform an acid wash for 90–120 minutes to remove rust.
- Drain the acid and rinse with clean water for about 20 minutes until the rinse water becomes neutral.
- Remove wastewater and conduct two rounds of passivation treatment: the first for about 3 minutes, the second for about 8 minutes.
- After passivation, rinse with water under 290 KPa pressure for 8–12 minutes.
- Drain the rinse water and wipe the tank clean with a mop.
- Ventilate and dry the tank.
- Perform a quality inspection of the chemical cleaning.
Notes:
1. Try to choose a windless and sunny day to wash the car in the carport, because in the process of washing the car, try to avoid flying dust, pollutants, etc. When washing the car, you should use clean water that does not contain harmful impurities such as mud, oil, acid and alkali, and soak the surface of the tanker for a period of time to soften the mud, adhered flying insects and other attachments. Do not try to scrape them off.
2. When washing the car, do not use laundry detergent or other strong alkaline detergents, but use neutral car washing liquid. Strong alkaline detergents will accelerate the aging of the paint, rubber and tires. At the same time, special towels for car washing should be used to reduce the damage to the paint of the tanker.
3. In addition, after washing, the wipers, both ends of the glass sealing strips, the base of the antenna and other places where sewage stains are easily accumulated should be carefully wiped clean. For some parts that are prone to rust, paint or grease should be applied for rust prevention.
By following these detailed steps, the cleaning process ensures the fuel tank is properly maintained, reducing risks and maintaining the tank’s efficiency and safety.
