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Always specify
how clean the tanks need to be |
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Visual inspection is sufficient in many
chemical and process engineering applications.
Measuring rinse waters for the level of biological residues is practised
in a number of sanitary processes eg dairy.
Analysing for live biological activity from swabs of tank cleaning
surfaces is the conventional norm in hygienic processes. eg bulk
pharmaceutical |
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The design should avoid the
need to climb inside the tanks |
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In most industries and tank designs it
should not be necessary for personnel to have to access the inside
of their tanks. With respect to tank cleaning this means using equipment
which can be maintained without internal access. Using external
drive tank cleaning equipment allows maintenance without having
to open the tank and without having to degas or depressurise. In
cases where it is desired to use equipment with internal drive then
the tank design should allow removal of the device through a flanged
opening. |
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Achieve the cleaning results
needed together with the lowest carbon footprint |
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Tank cleaning is often the major user
of water, detergents, energy resulting in significant waste effluent
that then requires chemical and biological treatment before naturally
discharged. By selecting the optimal choice of tank cleaning equipment
and applying best practice to the cleaning procedure it is easily
possible to save 75% in volumes and costs compared to existing processes.
Measurement of carbon footprint related to tank cleaning is a new
and growing requirement. |
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Select the solution that
gives best overall return on investment |
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Equipment cost alone is no longer the
deciding factor in the selection process. Operating cost has to
be calculated after specifying the cleaning result needed in a defined
time. The equipment and cleaning process which produces the fastest
return on investment and meets the lowest carbon footprint should
be the first choice. To calculate this it is necessary for suppliers
to indicate cleaning times, volumes and results as part of the offer
process. |
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Regularly measure
the cleaning results in order to keep improving |
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Option 1 by visual inspection by personnel
or use of cameras which can scan the internal surfaces. Using cameras
involves comparison of the image with benchmark images of the required
cleaning results.
Option 2 involves rinse waters from the last stage of tank cleaning
which can be collected by automatic sampling devices or again by
personnel. The rinse waters should indicate how clean the tank is,
although this does assume the cleaning device installed has distributed
the cleaning liquids on all tank surfaces and that are therefore
no areas left untouched. Rinse waters can be instantly biologically
tested for residual biological residues using systems such at ATP
testing with luminometers either off or on line.
Option 3 measures for live biological activity by personnel wiping
a part of the tank surface with a sampling material (swabbing) and
waiting 48 hours to see if live organisms can grow in nutrient agar.
Whatever the procedure it is crucial to define and adhere to if
product quality and consistency is to be assured. Regular cleaning
audits
provide quality assurance and identify corrective actions when needed. |
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