MB Oil Services Non-man Entry Oil Tank Cleaning - Manway Cannon System

MANWAY CANNON SYSTEM
Product Information Sheet
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Non-man Entry Versus
Manned-Entry Tank Cleaning
There are distinct disadvantages when undertaking Manned-Entry tank cleaning
when compared with innovative Non-man Entry Systems that are available to
MB Oil Services' clients.
Oil Storage Tank Cleaning requirements
All refineries have ongoing requirements to clean
their oil storage tanks.
The main reasons for a cleaning program
include:
• Periodic inspection and certification to API
Standards;
• Requirement for repair or modification to be
undertaken;
• Product grade change;
• Sludge removal, recovery of hydrocarbon
from sludge and optimisation of storage
volume;
• Sludge blocks pumps and pipework and
interferes with the operation of floating roof
systems - potentially costing millions of
dollars.
Traditionally, manned-entry cleaning methods
have been employed to clean tanks with
personnel being required to wear breathing
apparatus and protective clothing in order
to clean the tanks. In addition, all personnel
require to be trained in confined space access
techniques to perform the tasks which include
removing the contaminants and residues from
the tank floor, shell and the underside of the
roof.
There are distinct disadvantages when undertaking
manned-entry tank cleaning when compared with
the innovative Non-man Entry Systems that are
available to MB Oil Services’ clients. Productivity is
also drastically reduced when compared to Nonman
entry cleaning. However, it should be noted that
when cleaning a tank to hotwork standards e.g. for a
tank floor inpection, the final cleaning stage of the
operation is required to be carried out using Manned-
Entry Techniques, but by the time that this procedure
is required the bulk of the hazardous material inside
the tank will already have been removed.
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Disadvantages of Manned-Entry Cleaning
The disadvantages of Manned-Entry Cleaning include:
Extended exposure to:
• Mercury;
• Lead Compounds TEL/TML;
• Benzene;
• Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH);
• Hydrogen Sulphide;
• Pyrothoric FeS;
• Explosive Atmosphere;
• The manways are required to be opened for
ventilation prior to manned entry;
• Lighter hydrocarbons are continually released
during the de-sludging operation and this creates
an explosive atmosphere prior to venting to
atmosphere;
• Large volumes of hazardous waste are removed
from the tank into the open and are an
environmental liability;
• The process overall is a lot slower resulting in a
significant loss through downtime. An 80-110m
diameter tank will typically take months to clean.
Manway Cannon System
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Our Tank Cleaning
Advantages
MB Oil Services Non-man Entry
Systems provide advantages in QHSE,
time and cost for the tank cleanig
operation including:
• Exposure to hazardous materials
and environments is minimised
almost to the point of elimination;
• Overruns in cost and time are
avoided due to system efficiency;
• Cleans the tank to a gas free
environment as per API
requirements in the safest and
most practical manner;
• Minimises the requirement for
maintenance workers to enter a
haardous environment to perform
their duties;
• Reduces the cost of residual
disposal and off-site
transportation costs.
Design
All of our Non-Man Entry Systems
have been designed in accordance
with current safety legislation
in mind while still providing a
highly efficient system of work
that reduces tank downtime and
increases revenue steams.
Development
The systems have evolved to their
current specifications over many
years. Our engineers have taken
feedback from the site teams
and acted on the feedback and
reccomendations. This process of
development is ongoing.
Maintenance
The equipment items are
well engineered but they still
undergo routine and planned
and preventative maintenance in
accordance with MB Oil Services’
Planned Maintenace System.
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Our Equipment
Our wide range of Non-Man Entry Tank
Cleaning Equipment ensures that we
will always provide the correct solution
for our clients.
We are constantly striving to
provide the safest, most cost
effective methods of tank
cleaning for our clients.
Efficiency
In addition to being safer than
Manned-Entry operations the
systems are much quicker. This
results in less downtime, quicker
return to service times and the
ability for the client to implement
secondary tasks e.g. inspection.
Environment
If the SpinTech Oil Recovery System
is an integral part of the Non-
Man Entry System e.g. Tank Sweep
System, then the process is highly
environmentally friendly with
residual waste for off-site disposal
or incineration greatly reduced.
Increased Revenues
It is easy to see that the use of
highly technical and efficient
equipment in place of manual
labour and increased project
completion times results in
increased revenues for the
client.
Manway Cannon System
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Manway Cannon
The latest generation of Manway Cannon Systems used by MB Oil Services
come completely installed inside a modified ISO 20’ container, divided into two
compartments. The first compartment serves as the control unit with the second
compartment designated as the power and equipment room.
Cannon in Transport Position Manway Cannon Equipment Compartment
The container is fully insulated and
air conditioned and the control
unit contains all the necessary
joysticks, buttons and switches that
are used to control the system.
Three or four screens display
camera feedback as well as the
computer software display. The
whole cleaning operation can be
recorded to HDD Recorder.
The second compartment contains
an electro-hydraulic power unit
and reels for umbilical storage. A
pressure washer is also included
for the cleaning of equipment.
Real-time graphical simulation of the
cannon allows the operator to clean with
a fully automated system from outside
the tank.”
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Increased Safety and Efficiency
The Manway Cannon System offers numerous
advantages over traditional manned-Entry Tank
Cleaning Techniques.
The mounting flange for the cannon contains gas
detection equipment that is electrically tied into the
control system. If rising gas levels or other safety
issues arise then the equipment automatically shuts
down.
The whole operation is highly efficient, and another
added benefit of using this cleaning method is that
if the tank incurs a temperature inversion then the
operation can still continue, this would not be possible
with Manned-Entry working. In this regard, we could
not offer a more efficient service where increased
safety also equates to more productivity and also the
continuation of work.
The efficiency of the system contributes greatly to
ensuring that we avoid overruns in both cost and time
on our tank cleaning projects.
Quality Built Zone ll Rated Equipment
For a full Manway Cannon Product Information Sheet contact:
enquiries@mb-oilservices.com
Manway Cannon System
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YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS PROVIDER
www.mb-oilservices.com
enquiries@mb-oilservices.com