SHIP Chandler

Vegetable and Animal Oils (Cleaning Procedure)

For effective cleaning of animal and vegetable oils the first cleaning step is of utmost importance. Vegetable oils are divided in:

•   Non-drying products
•   Semi-drying products
•   Drying products
•   Fatty acids Non Drying Products

 1. Butterworth the tank with seawater or freshwater with a temperature 20°C. above the melting point of the product to be cleaned. After sufficient pre-cleaning of at least 1.5 hours the temperature can be increased. Drying and Semi-drying ProductsThese are oxidising products and through reaction with oxygen they will dry and harden. Tank cleaning should be executed as soon as possible after discharge. High temperatures (e.g. cleaning or steaming) and heated cargoes in adjacent tanks should be avoided.
 2. Butterworth the tank with cold to warm seawater or freshwater.If the product has a higher melting point Butterworth the tank with seawater or freshwater with a temperature maximum 10°C above the melting point of the product. After sufficient pre-cleaning of at least 1.5 - 2 hours the temperature can be increased. Fatty Acids or  vegetable/animal oils with high free fatty acid contentsee the cleaning suggestion of Fatty Acids.
 3. If seawater was used in step 1 it is of utmost importance to flush/rinse the tank with freshwater before cleaning as per step 3 is continued.   
 4. Final cleaning Prepare the following solution in freshwater (see table):
 

• Make solution a emulsification 0. 4 % RXSOL-20-2015-210 Butterworth the tank with the prepared solution for 1, 5-2, 0 hours by recirculation. The necessary temperature can be achieved / maintained by means of heating coils, cargo heat exchanger or Butterworth heater. Depending on the amount of product residues the solution can be used for 1 to 4 tanks. On some vegetable/animal oils it is recommended to saponify additionally the product residues (see table): Therefore prepare one of the following solutions (B or C) in
  freshwater (see table):
   

 5. continuedButterworth the tank with the prepared solution for 1, 5-2, 0 hours by recirculation. The necessary temperature can be achieved /maintained by means of heating coil (service tank) cargo heat  exchanger or Butterworth heater. If RXSOL-20-2015-210 is used the  cleaningtemperature should be 60-70°C. And  If sodium or Potassium Hydroxide is used the cleaning temperature should be 60.C. If RXSOL-20-2015-210 is used the cleaning temperature can be 70-80°C. Depending on the amount of product residues the solution can be used for 1 to 3 tanks.
 6. Butterworth the tank 1 hour with hot seawater
 7. Rinse the tank with fresh water
 8. Inspect the tank; if white residues or a white film is present (calcium/magnesium soaps or carbonate) Butterworth the tank with one the following solution: 3-5% RXSOL-16-1011-210 ( www.rxmarine.com/metal-brite-210-ltrs-pkg )  The cleaning temperature should be moderate (50°C.) Use heating coils not the Butterworth heater.
 9. Flush the tank with fresh water
10.Ventilate, mop and dry the cargo tank.

RXSOL-16-1091-025  must be used in open or  sufficiently ventilated areas. RXSOL-16-1091-025  should always be used concentrate (without mixing with other solvent.) For best results apply with either by brush, swab, or as  a fine spray using suitable hand held spray  equipment. Small components may be cleaned by brief immersion in a bath of RXSOL-16-1091-025.  Never use RXSOL-16-1091-025  on a running generator or motor. RXSOL-16-1091-025  can be used to clean virtually all electrical equipment  & components although  is it possible it may affect some types of rubber &  plastic .  Either  remove  rubber  &  plastic  parts  from  component  or test on small area for any reaction before cleaning.

Dirt attached on air-side fins of air coolers are a mix of carbonaceous particles such as soot and oil mist of unburned fuel components. 
Carbonaceous particles can be removed by Alkaline Cleaners Part No. RXSOL-16-1040-025 ( www.rxmarine.com/alkaline-air-cooler-cleaner ) and oil mist can be removed by oil based cleaners. However, it is very difficult to remove the mix of these substances. If you use an alkaline cleaner, oil will repel the water based alkaline cleaner; if you use oil based cleaner, carbonaceous particles will get in the way and stop oil from being removed.

This cleaners designed to remove both carbonaceous and oil simultaneously. An effective cleaning method is to immerse one side to remove the loose stains first, and then immerse the other side. This method can efficiently remove dirt and prevent swollen dirt peeled from fins from blocking the spaces between fins.

Dirt in tubes of seawater side

White scales attached on the seawater side of air coolers of many vessels. We found that in most cases, the main component of the scales is calcium carbonate and there is also a small amount of calcium sulfate. Therefore in most cases, if you dissolve the calcium carbonate the scales will be removed.

However, if the amount of scales is large enough to block the tube, the cylindrical scale will usually have calcium carbonate on the outside (the side that is in contact with tube) and calcium sulfate in the center (part that seawater passes through). Calcium sulfate is easier to be formed when the temperature goes higher.

When the amount of scales increases, the contact area of scale and cleaner is very small and a longer time of dissolution is required. Calcium sulfate cannot be dissolved by an acid cleaner.