By: LARRY BREWER, Sales Manager
TriStar PetroServ
BUSINESS UPDATE
Tank cleaning risk managed with unique solution
TriStar PetroServ
I
t is not uncommon to arrive for a standard
tank cleaning job to discover the contents
are not as predicted. The challenge is to quickly
react to get the project completed as safely,
quickly and cost effectively as possible.
This is precisely what happened when
TriStar PetroServ, a division of TriStar
Global Energy Solutions, was called on
to de-inventory and clean a standard Gulf
Coast alkylation tank. Prior to the start of the
project, it was discovered the contents were
not as expected. In addition to alkyl, the tank
contained a conglomeration of pyrophoric
sludge, water and reddish oil at the top that
could indicate acid soluble oil (ASO). Upon
further evaluation, it was determined the pH
of the sludge was 7.0 and the water was 5.9.
In addition, there was 6 PPM of fluoride
present as well as 3-percent pyrophoric iron
sulfide (FeS). Due to these findings, the
likely presence of hydrofluoric acid imme-
diately raised the level of safety concern.
Hydrofluoric acid is extremely dangerous,
having the ability to not only burn but also
penetrate to the bone.
To undertake this new challenge, TriStar
PetroServ was able to call on its affiliated company, Zyme-Flow® Decon Technology, for
additional technical support. Working with the
head scientist on staff, they engineered a highly
specialized plan unique to the situation. The
proposed two-step solution used both patented
chemistry (Zyme-Flow UN657) and advanced
cleaning equipment, without having to call on
a secondary vendor. The main objective was to
first neutralize the extremely hazardous hydrofluoric acid, and eliminate both the pyrophoric
iron sulfide (FeS) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
Only after this neutralization was achieved
could the tank be de-inventoried and cleaned.
Additionally, due to the corrosive nature of the
contents, all pumps, nozzles and metal surfaces
had to be stainless steel or natural rubber.
The entire process, including the use of chemistry,
was labeled a best practice
for this situation.
After the approval was received from the
operating committee overseeing the project,
the job was carried out in two stages. The
first step was the distribution of Zyme-Flow
chemistry using two high-pressure cannons.
The contents were then circulated to completely neutralize the H2S and FeS. The
second stage used the cannons to add a neutralizing solution that converted the hydrofluoric acid to harmless fluoride salts. Once
neutralized, the tank was considered safe and
nonhazardous allowing the de-inventory and
final cleaning.
The project was very closely monitored,
having both a full-time safety technician and
a Zyme-Flow Decon service technician on
site. This specific tank proved incredibly
dangerous, but by developing such a unique
solution, the tank was cleaned with zero
injuries or incidents of any kind. The entire
process, including the use of chemistry, was
labeled a best practice for this situation.
What started as a normal tank cleaning job turned into a highly specialized
cleaning and decontamination project. This
challenge was successfully completed by
taking advantage of the technical expertise
and product offerings that fall under TriStar
Global Energy Solutions.
For more information, contact
TriStar PetroServ at (281) 484-2223 or
[email protected] or TriStar
Global Energy Solutions at (281) 4842201 or [email protected].
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November 2013
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