United States Environmental Services (USES)
Even under the most desirable circumstances, tank cleaning projects are challenging, requiring owners to evaluate risk and, to the extent possible, engineer out identified hazards. The impact of not managing risk can affect safety, schedules, budgets and production. Applying innovative technology and refined processes to tried and true tank cleaning strategies enables projects to be completed safely and ahead of schedule, reducing the total cost of ownership. This enables owners to obtain a greater return on tank storage capacity, allowing owner personnel to focus on the company's core competencies.
"We now offer a safer, more productive tank cleaning service than is currently available in the marketplace."
-- Ken Cherry, USES
To address these challenges, United States Environmental Services (USES), through an exclusive alliance with Schaefer High Pressure Systems, recently introduced its Advanced Tank Cleaning System (ATCS), targeted to large and complex tank cleaning projects and engineered to eliminate many of the risks associated with tank cleaning.
Conventional tank cleaning services regularly involve personnel being physically inside the tank, which often puts individuals at risk due to the possibly toxic atmosphere inside. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board reports 60 percent of accidents from breathing nitrogen- enriched air occur when a worker is in or next to a confined space without the proper safety processes being followed. Breathing an oxygen-deficient atmosphere can have serious and immediate effects, including unconsciousness after only one or two breaths. An exposed person often has no warning and cannot sense the oxygen level is too low before it is too late. Because USES' tank cleaning system does not require an individual to enter the tank, these risks are drastically reduced. Also increasing safety measures is the system's efficient nitrogen generator, which injects inert gas into the tank when needed, displacing any potentially volatile atmosphere inside and allowing full control of the environment within.
The innovation of USES' ATCS brings a "game-changing" approach to tank cleaning, including a modular system that is fully integrated to facilitate setup, operation and breakdown; the advanced technology of the cannon system, enabling "non-entry" capabilities; a nitrogen system to maximize safety and productivity; and "best-in-class" centrifuge to optimize processing and product recovery. The non-entry technology allows for the tank cleaning operator to control up to three high-powered cannons from outside the tank with a remote view of the interior, utilizing high-definition camera and light technology while providing full control of the atmosphere inside the tank. As the centerpiece of the ATCS, the modular cannon system is configured with a high-pressure pump, hydraulic unit, heat exchanger and a control room with state-of-the-art controls. The system also includes an innovative nitrogen-generator module to complement the atmospheric monitoring of the tank interior, as well as a tricanter, enabling two-phase and three-phase separation of the sludge to optimize product recovery and reduce waste generation. The ATCS has automatic and manual shutdown features, and the inerting, cleaning and flushing processes occur in a closed loop, all controlled from a safe distance outside the tank.
Increased productivity is also a notable advantage to USES' groundbreaking ATCS. The ATCS' average flushing capacity per day is approximately 40,000 gallons, compared to the average mobile dozer at 13,000 gallons per day or even the typical manual cleaning process at 8,000 gallons per day. The entire ATCS can be configured as needed and is packed in ISO containers to ensure reliable mobility and setup. The average setup time for the ATCS is an impressive four days or less. The state-of-the-art cannon system is the centerpiece of the ATCS, enabling side- and roof-mounted installations to allow for flexibility to maximize your cleaning process. The system can clean tanks up to 330 feet in diameter.
"We are very excited about our Advanced Tank Cleaning System and the opportunity we now have to establish a new standard and expectation in the industry for safety, productivity and quality for executing complex tank cleaning projects," said USES President and CEO Ken Cherry. "With safety as our most valued priority, we now can offer a safer, more productive and predictable tank cleaning service than is currently available in the marketplace. USES continues to evolve with safety, people and innovation at the core of our business. We have a lot to offer, and this is another example of how our organization continues to reach new heights. #iamthenewUSES."
For more information, visit www. USESgroup.com or call (888) 279-9930.
