Tank cleaning
Page 60
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A rotary nozzle tank cleaning device developed by Shell-Mex and BP engineers has enabled them to reduce some vehicle tank cleaning times from three days to an hour and a half.
The device consists of 30 angled nozzles mounted on a revolving drum; it is lowered into the tank — part filled with detergent —through the hatch and sealed to it by two integral clamps.
A flexible hose is connected between the device and the integral cargo pump which circulates the fluid through the device causing it to revolve and fling jets of cleanser to each part of the compartment.
To remove black oil contaminant, when white oil products are to be carried, gas oil is used as the cleaning liquid; or when the grade of lubricating oil carried is to be changed, spindle oil is used.
The fluid is recycled until the tank is clean, and is then down-graded and stored for future use.
Made by: Shell-Mex and BP Group, PO Box No 148 Strand, London WC2R ODX.