Skyriders deploys UHP cleaning at large petchem tank
November 2019
News
Ultra high pressure (UHP) washing is a highly-effective and environmentally-friendly cleaning method using water jets to remove old coating systems and industrial grime, without the use of potential contaminants such as detergents or grit.
Leading rope-access specialist, Skyriders, recently deployed UHP to clean the top part of a large tank, exposed to the elements and therefore subject to weathering, for a major petrochemical producer in Mpumalanga.
The scope of work was to deploy UHP at 2800 bar in order to wash the tank and prepare the surface, and then to apply a protective coating system. “The client had a documented specification for the application that we had to adhere to rigorously at all times,” comments Skyriders marketing manager, Mike Zinn. “This was necessary to guarantee the integrity of the entire protective system.”
Major industrial customers such as chemical plants and refineries often have separate budgets for maintenance and access. “On this specific project, for example, we were able to prove to our client that a per-square-metre rate, is inclusive of both access and maintenance, represented significant cost and time saving,” adds Zinn.
Skyriders’ holistic approach to access and maintenance generally translates into a 20-25% budget saving for its clients, in addition to benefits such as enhanced health and safety, and guaranteed quality of work.
The traditional means of cleaning such large tanks is grit blasting, which leaves behind a residue that itself needs to be cleaned. This sand can also pose a safety risk during the cleaning process, as the tank remains operational during maintenance so as not to impact on productivity. The high-pressure water used in UHP, on the other hand, simply evaporates.
Skyriders intends to expand the scope of its UHP service offering, as this cleaning method is ideal for major industrial structures as diverse as smokestacks, silos and storage tanks. “It is not only an important value-added service, but is an integral part of the turnkey access and maintenance solutions we can offer,” concludes Zinn.
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