2 replies to this topic

[elpasha25]

Dear all;
We are running a treatment plant for slop oil and hydrocarbon sludge from tanks cleaning, API separators, Oil pits,.....etc.
The plant consists of the main following units:
1) Sludge preparation unit.
2) Three phase centrifuge.
3) Inclined oil water separator.
The recovered oil is stored in closed 200 L metal drums. The problem is that, these drums expand while in storage and sometimes explode!
What are the possible reasons for this expansion and how to prevent it either while processing or storage?
Please know that the recovered oil drums are stored in open area and ambient temperature may reach 50 oC. Water content varies and may reach 10%!
I will really appreciate your help and guide in this matter.
Best Regards

[tolga]

Dear all;
We are running a treatment plant for slop oil and hydrocarbon sludge from tanks cleaning, API separators, Oil pits,.....etc.
The plant consists of the main following units:
1) Sludge preparation unit.
2) Three phase centrifuge.
3) Inclined oil water separator.
The recovered oil is stored in closed 200 L metal drums. The problem is that, these drums expand while in storage and sometimes explode!
What are the possible reasons for this expansion and how to prevent it either while processing or storage?
Please know that the recovered oil drums are stored in open area and ambient temperature may reach 50 oC. Water content varies and may reach 10%!
I will really appreciate your help and guide in this matter.
Best Regards

Hi,

The first reaction to this question seems to be liquid expansion due to temperature rise. Keeping the storage temperature below or near the loading temperature can help you. I would imagine you do not have a facility to regulate the storage temperature. So, you can fill the drums approx. 95% to allow a margin for expansion. But this is probably not a good idea for sale specs. Maybe, you can use a flexi-cover on the drums to absorb any expansion.

Or, if somehow you are still having some light hydrocarbons in the sludge after the last treatment stage, they may cause some overpressure when you hit 50 C. Please be sure that your last treatment stage operates below 0.1 barg. Check the vent lines. There may be a valve in stuck position.

OR, some chemicals in the sludge may cause some reactions in the drums which can be an explanation for expansion. These chemicals can be the ones used for cleaning e.g. acid wash.

if you can send me a process flow diagram of the treatment system and some process parameters/compositions, I may have more possible explanations.

Be careful with these drums. Safety first :)

Take care

[Qalander (Chem)]

Dear all;
We are running a treatment plant for slop oil and hydrocarbon sludge from tanks cleaning, API separators, Oil pits,.....etc.
The plant consists of the main following units:
1) Sludge preparation unit.
2) Three phase centrifuge.
3) Inclined oil water separator.
The recovered oil is stored in closed 200 L metal drums. The problem is that, these drums expand while in storage and sometimes explode!
What are the possible reasons for this expansion and how to prevent it either while processing or storage?
Please know that the recovered oil drums are stored in open area and ambient temperature may reach 50 oC. Water content varies and may reach 10%!
I will really appreciate your help and guide in this matter.
Best Regards

Hi,

The first reaction to this question seems to be liquid expansion due to temperature rise. Keeping the storage temperature below or near the loading temperature can help you. I would imagine you do not have a facility to regulate the storage temperature. So, you can fill the drums approx. 95% to allow a margin for expansion. But this is probably not a good idea for sale specs. Maybe, you can use a flexi-cover on the drums to absorb any expansion.

Or, if somehow you are still having some light hydrocarbons in the sludge after the last treatment stage, they may cause some overpressure when you hit 50 C. Please be sure that your last treatment stage operates below 0.1 barg. Check the vent lines. There may be a valve in stuck position.

OR, some chemicals in the sludge may cause some reactions in the drums which can be an explanation for expansion. These chemicals can be the ones used for cleaning e.g. acid wash.

if you can send me a process flow diagram of the treatment system and some process parameters/compositions, I may have more possible explanations.

Be careful with these drums. Safety first

Take care

Dear Just a little bit in my humble way,
Be sure to keep around 15% vapor space in drums to have a safer scenario.
Do ensure hot storage avoidance eliminating solar, radiant heat exposure as this is probably contributing to ' expansion/bursting incidents' described by you.
Best of luck.