Mechanical Cleaning of Tanks & Oil Reservoirs

Investments in cleaning components and pipes are sensible when including purification of tank insides.

The reservoir/tank should be cleaned as well as pipes and other components. IKM Ocean Team provide such services. Depending on contamination type, tank conditions, and customer requirements, our tank cleaning services include grinding with a mechanical grinding machine, wire brush or other suitable cleaning device in order to remove rust, iron scale, weld splatter, grease, dirt, or other foreign matter, e.g., packing material.

Mechanical 8 Mechanical cleaning of tanks & oil reservoirs
Tank insides must be duely cleaned in details.

If appropriate safety precautions are taken, kerosene solutions can be used to clean and degrease the inner surface of the tank. The surface should be dried with a clean, lint free cloth. A strong magnet, putty, or other suitable materials can be used to collect all loose dirt and metal particles from corners and from the bottom of the tank/reservoir. After thorough inspection of all parts of the tank, and repeated cleaning if necessary, all openings are sealed.

Mechanical 8 Mechanical cleaning of tanks & oil reservoirs
An example of a surface treatment process.

If required, the tank/reservoir is now ready for surface treatment with oil-resistant varnish or paint. If the inner surfaces are to remain untreated, the tank should be coated once with anti-rust oil, which is easily dissolved in the system oil, and afterwards closed and sealed. In systems where the tank is an integrated part of the machine, it should be cleaned and protected as described above before mounting.

Over many years,
IKM Ocean Team has gained vast experience in safety risk assessment when entering reservoirs/tanks and can therefore provide safety procedures and Confined Space Entry Authorisation together with our services.