Guide to efficient tank cleaning
The cleaning of tanks and vessels is often an overlooked source of inefficiency in the
manufacturing process. Contamination through poor cleaning can result in the loss of
an entire batch of product or, worse, a product recall. The cost of failure can be very
high and so many quality control managers will be highly reluctant to consider more
efficient methods of cleaning.
This article explores ways of reducing water consumption, chemical usage, energy
consumption and the time taken in tank cleaning applications without compromising
overall cleaning effectiveness.
The article is in 5 parts
Part 1 - The balancing act. This introduces the concept of the 4 elements of the cleaning mix.
Part 2 - Efficiency gains. This part examines each of the elements and assesses how efficiency gains can be deployed. It also introduces the concept of water efficiency and how this relates to the 4 elements of the cleaning mix.
Part 3 - The quick win. This section looks at how improving the mechanical element of the mix is often a quick win in terms of efficiency. An explanation on how the different spray patterns affect efficiency is given.
Part 4 - Tank cleaning nozzle designs. Consideration is given to the various designs of tank cleaning systems available and how they relate to efficiency.
Part 5 - Conclusions and recommendations