Hydroblasting vs. Dry Ice Blasting: Which cleaning method is best for your job?

When presented with a situation requiring industrial cleaning, the solution most often thought of is high pressure hydroblasting. This method requires cleanup of all debris and disposal of the generated waste at the completion of the project. Over the years, alternative cleaning methods that produce less waste, such as dry ice blasting, have been developed. Often times these methods can be implemented in a beneficial way to solve today’s industrial cleaning challenges. However, there are circumstances in which hydroblasting is still the best solution.

Factors for Determining the Best Method

When selecting the best cleaning method for a given situation, these factors should be considered: the surrounding environment of the subject to be cleaned, the type of material to be removed, and the necessity of waste disposal.

For example, if the project is a tank cleaning and the tank is in a confined perimeter where bystanders will not be an issue, and waste can be disposed of onsite or returned to the process, the best method would be hydroblasting.

Given the same situation, except the tank is in a high traffic area, there is risk of runoff flowing into a storm drain or sewer, and the waste would have to be disposed of offsite, dry ice blasting would be a better alternative.

Reasoning for these choices will become evident as the cleaning methods and their associated benefits are explained below.

Exploring the Methods:

Hydroblasting is capable of cutting through grime, deposits, manufacturing fouling, and slicing through hard surfaces with unprecedented cutting power. It is the most versatile technology available to industry.

This method is especially beneficial for the plastics, power generation, aluminum, chemical, pulp and paper, and petroleum industries, due to its superior ability to clean:

• Build up in boilers and heat exchangers
• Dirt and rust in towers and lines
• Fouled tanks
• Reactors
• Encrusted sewers and pipes
• Old paint on nearly any surface

A hydro blaster is capable of generating up to 40,000 p.s.i. of water pressure, offering the flexibility to remove the most adherent substances, and also effectively cut alloyed construction materials, concrete, steel and a variety of other materials.

Dry ice blasting is a form of abrasive blasting, where dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, is accelerated in a pressurized air stream and directed at a surface in order to clean it. The method is similar to other forms of abrasive blasting such as sand blasting, plastic bead blasting, or soda blasting.

Dry ice blasting leaves no chemical residue because dry ice sublimates (vaporizes) at room temperature. It is for this reason the EPA recommends dry ice blasting as an alternative to many solvent-based cleaning methods. Dry ice blasting has many unique and superior benefits over traditional blasting media, including:

• non-abrasive, nonflammable and nonconductive
• environmentally-friendly, contains no contaminants
• clean and approved for use in the food industry
• allows most items to be cleaned in place
• can be used without damaging active electrical or mechanical parts
• can be as gentle as dusting smoke damage from books or as aggressive as removing weld slag from tooling

These benefits provide industry the flexibility to clean numerous objects with differing, complex geometries, the ability to clean equipment without time-consuming disassembly and without producing fire or electrical hazards, and a clean, environmentally friendly method for decontaminating surfaces of Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria.

Choosing the Appropriate Cleaning Method

It is tempting to use a cleaning method because it worked well in the past or because it was the cheapest method for the last project. However, it is important to consider the factors listed above when planning an industrial cleaning project because every job presents unique circumstances. A cookie-cutter solution for industrial cleaning does not exist, making it important to choose a contractor that is an expert in the implementation of several available methods.

For more information on Summit Contracting’s industrial cleaning services, please visit www.summitcontracting.net or call (812) 421-1744.

Your turn…
How do you make decisions on what method to utilize for your industrial cleaning projects?

Energy Generation: Building & Maintaining Energy Facility Infrastructure

Written by: Garrett Grumieaux & Mark Lovelace, Estimators/Project Managers

Back to the basics

Whether your goal is to build new infrastructure for one of today’s emerging renewable energy sources or maintain the integrity of a traditional one, the principles are identical. In this rapidly changing industry it can be easy to lose sight of the fundamentals that make for a successful project. Perhaps the most important is ensuring your contractor has a crystal clear understanding of your needs. If your contractor starts a project without this seemingly obvious information it is certain you will encounter many obstacles.

A few considerations

Alternative power facilities such as wind, hydro and solar are being constructed at the speed of air, water and light. Additionally renewable energies such as biomass, bio-fuel’s and geothermal are increasing in demand. These new facilities are usually large in scale and need to be located in such a way as to allow for intermodal transportation. For this reason the land area that is impacted in order to construct them is large and commonly

Ethanol plant construction: before

located in areas containing unsuitable soils, such as river basins. The demand for well constructed access to these sites is incredible, requiring streams and rivers to be diverted and hills and valleys to swap places. These landscape altering projects are usually performed at the beginning of every construction project and have the potential to hold up the arrival of other trades if scheduled

Ethanol plant construction: after

milestones are missed. Savvy infrastructure contractors will utilize stabilization techniques to meet very tight schedules and strict guidelines such as substitution with aggregate, geosynthetic reinforcement or chemical soil modification.  Chemical soil modification is essentially the incorporation of a reactive lime, Portland cement, etc. into the native soils to change its chemical properties, allowing unsuitable or excessively wet soils to dry and compact much quicker than traditional methods.

Currently most of the world’s energy is being generated at more traditional types of facilities such as coal, natural gas, nuclear and petroleum. Due to the ever increasing demand for energy, the infrastructure at these facilities must be maintained efficiently and to strict guidelines. For example, power generating stations produce some byproducts for which there is no practical beneficial reuse. Containment methods for these materials can vary widely depending on the region, governing body and the type of byproduct being contained. Often landfill cells are constructed to dispose of the material. In order to protect the environment surrounding the landfills, permeability guidelines are set by the local department of environmental management and monitored closely by an independent engineering company. Most landfill basins are constructed with a synthetic liner system or reconditioned and compacted soils in order to meet permeability requirements. The integrity of containment construction is often a direct reflection of the quality of the contractor, therefore choosing the right contractor has the single largest impact on your bottom line and the protection of the surrounding environment.

During construction projects at power generating facilities extraordinary circumstances arise due to extenuating conditions, such as heightened security and massive volumes of traffic. As a result of these conditions contractors working on power generation projects must have extensive experience and impeccable safety record. It is imperative they have the ability to work under increased safety regulations, manage extensive multi-channel communication and coordinate complex logistical maneuvering, while giving consideration to environmental concerns. The infrastructure needs of the power generation industry are complex, and that is why it is essential to ensure the contractor you choose for your next construction project has experience in successfully exceeding clients’ expectations.

For more information on Summit Contracting’s energy infrastructure services, please visit www.summitcontracting.net or call (812) 421-1744.

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Remediation: More than just “dig and haul”

When presented with an environmental situation requiring clean up, the solution most thought of is excavating contaminated soil and transporting it to a landfill. Fortunately, there are many other remediation, or clean up, methods that do not require contaminated material to sit in a landfill for eternity. There are circumstances in which dig and haul is the best solution, however, often times an alternative method can be implemented that removes or neutralizes contaminates. No matter the situation, the goal for every environmental remediation project is to return the contaminated area to an environmentally safe place.

Developing a Unique Solution
When selecting the best remediation method for a given situation, several factors should be considered: the contaminant of concern, the type of contaminated material (soil, groundwater, air, etc), the expected future use of the property, the necessary level of clean-up, the proximity of buildings to the contaminated area, and the budget. For example, if the project is a former refinery site where there are several acres of soil that are heavily contaminated with hydrocarbons and the land is going to be utilized for other industrial applications, an in-situ approach where a chemical, such as calciment can be mixed with the soil to render the material nonhazardous and thereby reduce the contamination to an acceptable level given the future use of the site.

Vapor stripping is a very useful soil remediation technology when the contamination plume is near or under existing buildings. This method requires a well to be installed in the contaminated area and through the use of a vacuum air is drawn through the soil and up the well. The vapors are then put through a series of filters and released into the atmosphere. As an example, vapor stripping was effectively implemented when employees were becoming sick due to vapors being released from soil that had been contaminated several years prior. The office building had been built on a site that was once a gasoline filling station where a leaking underground storage tank had contaminated the area. The site was remediated without having to demo the existing building by installing a vapor stripping system.

Many remediationmethods also exist for treating groundwater, such as introducing micro-

A siphon dam was constructed to remediate oil from this stream.

organisms that transform the chemical make-up of the water and neutralize the contaminates. Other treatment methods involve injecting chemicals into the contaminated water. One such method is chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. This method is fast and effective, however the process causes the ground to soften and is not safe for use in areas supporting nearby structures. A more traditional method is utilizing pump and treat systems. These systems can be developed to remediate large areas of groundwater no matter the current site activities. For example, a pump and treat system can be installed within a manufacturing plant to remediate contamination plumes while the plant continues normal daily operations.

Whether the remediation is being performed on soil or groundwater, pick a contractor who has a wide variety of experience with different types of treatment and is willing to determine the best and most effective method of remediation to fit your circumstances.

Implementing Your Unique Solution
Many contractors will rely heavily on one specific remediation method for all types of cleanup projects because it is a more costly solution or because they have developed a proprietary method in the treatment of that specific contaminant. While the proposed solution may work, it is important to consider whether it is the best solution for the specific contamination plume.

Remember, each remediation project has a goal of getting the contaminant cleaned-up to an acceptable level for the future use of the site, but each project is unique and thus the method of reaching the goal should be customized specifically for that project.

For more information on Summit Contracting’s remediation services, please visit www.summitcontracting.net or call (812) 421-1744.

Intangible Value vs. Cost: Importance of Performing Tank Inspections

There are 2,200 terminal facilities worldwide, combining to create over 3.2 billion gallons of aboveground storage capacity.  After many years in the aboveground storage tank industry and involvement in countless projects, there is one thing that I have learned for certain, tanks leak when it is least expected. To avoid releases caused by issues like catastrophic bottom failures, cracked welds around nozzles and floating roofs failures, tanks need to be routinely taken out of service and inspected by a certified third-party. This is not only good industry practice, but today there are many local, state and federal agencies that regulate the inspection of aboveground storage tanks.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has published numerous standards pertaining to aboveground storage tanks, specifically API standard 653 which establishes the requirements for the inspection of aboveground storage tanks. According to this standard, the owners/operators are responsible for frequent “once-over” inspections of the tank. These inspections should take place as frequently as daily, and at least monthly. Periodically more thorough inspections should be conducted by a certified third-party inspector. The recommended frequency of these inspections is dependent on the type, size and contents of the given tank. However the standard recommendation is to perform an external inspection every five years and an internal inspection every ten years. To find out inspection requirements regarding a specific tank, visit the API website (www.api.org).

API 653 covers not only the requirements for how often an aboveground storage tank should be inspected, but also the certification process for the individual tank inspectors. There are many tank inspection companies and cleaning contractors in the industry. Caution should be exercised in order to insure a qualified, certified and properly trained contractor is selected to perform cleaning and inspection services. API Certified Inspectors successfully complete courses followed by a stringent exam process.

There is also a course and exam offered by the API to obtain a Tank Entry Supervisor Certification. According to API, the goal of this certification is to minimize the risks of

In order to minimize the risks of confined space hazards and to improve the overall safety of tank maintenance operations, quality tank cleaning contractors will have a certified API Tank Entry Supervisor onsite throughout the duration of each cleaning project.

confined space hazards and to improve the overall safety performance of tank maintenance operations. Quality tank cleaning contractors will have a certified API Tank Entry Supervisor onsite throughout the duration of each cleaning project.

There are many steps involved when taking an aboveground storage tank out of service for the purpose of performing an inspection. The first step should always be to create a decommissioning plan. When preparing a tank for an inspection, safety is of the utmost importance, and this plan ensures steps are being taken to create a safe working environment, prevent spills and protect assets. The decommissioning plan will be unique for each tank, with consideration being given to the characteristics of its contents such as if the product is light or heavy, flammable or combustible, etc.

Below is a general guideline for the steps taken to empty a tank, free it from residual vapors and perform an inspection:

1. Empty tank / drain pipeline
2. Isolate the tank
3. Atmospheric testing inside tank
4. Tank cleaning / vapor freeing
5. Waste management
6. Retesting for the presence of hidden vapor inside tank
7. Scan / inspection of the tank bottom, walls and welds around man-ways and nozzles
8. Mechanical repairs, if necessary
9. Inspection of mechanical repairs
10. Re-commissioning of tank

The old adage, “if it’s not leaking, don’t worry about it” may have applied twenty years ago, but certainly not today. It is an expense to take a tank out of service for the purpose of an inspection, however tank inspections should be thought of as insurance. The reality is that the cost associated with performing routine tank inspections cannot come close to the cost associated with a catastrophic release of its contents.

For more information about Summit Contracting’s tank cleaning services, visit www.summitcontracting.net, or call (812) 421-1744.

Meet Jamie Bergeron – Summit’s GM of Environmental Services

By “working his way up through the ranks,” Jamie Bergeron, general manager of Environmental Services at Summit Contracting, has been able to help Summit’s employees achieve their own goals. BIC Magazine recently visited with Bergeron to learn  more about how he develops both coworker and client relationships.

"A key goal throughout the company has been to engage with clients earlier in their processes. It really becomes a beneficial relationship for our client because it allows us to develop project action plans that meet their exact needs, often saving them time and resources."

Q: What led to your position at Summit Contracting?
A: Prior to my position at Summit, I worked for other companies as a “closer.” I would rescue troubled projects by going in and figuring out what went wrong and changing those elements.
This experience led me to start looking at the big picture of how projects get out of control, and that’s when I realized lack of communication was the common denominator. At that point, I developed a vision of the whole staff, from estimators to field technicians, understanding the job process. It was the implementation of this vision that led me to be general manager of Environmental Services at Summit Contracting.

Q: What’s the most important thing a person should know before taking a career path similar to yours?
A: That no matter where you think you are in your career, you are never past the point of  needing to learn. There were times in my career when the days seemed to be redundant. I was assigned to jobs that took a lot of time, but not a lot of mental capacity. That’s when I realized the importance of continual learning. I would encourage anyone looking to  advance in the environmental service industry to ask the veterans questions, seize every opportunity to learn a new skill and always look for new ways to understand all areas of the business.

Q: What is the most important part of your position?
A: I believe the most important part of my job is training and developing our employees. I worked my way up through the ranks, and as I moved into supervisory roles I found myself compelled to teach those who reported to me. I make it a personal obligation to answer every question an employee asks me to the best of my ability, and if I don’t know the answer, it challenges me to find out and respond as quickly as possible. I encourage all of our personnel to visualize their next position and work hard to achieve their goals. I tell them as they move forward in their careers, it’s important to teach those around them so when an opportunity for advancement is presented, their position can be easily filled.

Q: What’s the biggest news in your company right now?
A: Over the past year, we have worked hard to renew Summit’s focus as an expert environmental and specialty contracting company. This renewed focus has given
us the opportunity to interact with clients on a much deeper level. A key goal throughout the
company has been to engage with clients earlier in their processes. This ensures we gain a thorough understanding of their needs, as well as allows us to share key insights we may have from previous jobs we’ve performed. It really becomes a beneficial relationship for our client because it allows us to develop project action plans that meet their exact needs, often saving them time and resources.

Q: Are you looking to grow in new markets or expand in current ones?
A: This year, Summit is growing our Industrial Service business unit by expanding our blasting services. We have allocated additional resources to and dry ice blasting.
We feel this will really benefit our existing clients, as well as allow us to develop new
relationships in the chemical, pulp and paper, petroleum, and power generation industries.

Proactive Storage Tank Maintenance is Imperative

Storage tanks have been utilized in industry for many years to store process water, acids, caustics, adhesives, petroleum products and a variety of other chemicals. At many facilities these tanks are used for more than just bulk storage; they are actually incorporated into the process or production line. Regardless of their use, these tanks and associated system components (i.e. pumps, pipelines, filters, gauges, etc.) need to be maintained and kept in good working order for the process to operate efficiently.

Without proper maintenance and cleaning, your storage tank system could cost you production time and leave you with an inferior final product. It is critical that storage tank systems be well maintained and cleaned periodically. This can be accomplished by implementing a good preventative maintenance program that includes regular systems checks and cleaning as prescribed by the system manufacturer or as dictated by the production process.

Develop a Preventative Maintenance Program

Implementing preventative maintenance can provide cost savings by eliminating unnecessary downtime. Buildup of sludge, precipitates or other impurities is likely to occur whether your storage tanks are used as a supply source for virgin product, incorporated

A Summit crew chips away at built-up stain & varnish in an aboveground storage tank

into the manufacturing process or utilized for post process waste storage. Over time, the accumulation of undesirable solids and contaminants will decrease flow rates and increase the operating pressure of piping systems as well as diminish transfer pump efficiencies, and clog system filters and strainers.

Cleaning your storage tank system in-house can be time consuming and costly. In addition to managing potentially hazardous materials, confined spaces and fall hazards, all of which require specialized training, you are reallocating personnel from productive tasks to those that are potentially dangerous and inefficient. For many facilities it is more cost effective to outsource this work to specialized contractors.

Selecting a Contractor

When selecting a contractor, there are many factors to consider. Experience, knowledge, capability and safety are among the most important. It is important to partner with a contractor that displays a wide breadth of knowledge and experience specific to storage tank systems, products and regulations. Whether your system is regulated by state and federal environmental agencies or by industry standards, your contractor should possess the capacity to meet your needs.

There are several aspects to servicing storage tank systems. Many plant or facility managers find themselves requiring services such as product transfer, storage tank and pipeline cleaning, water blasting, waste disposal and many other services specifically tailored to their needs. However, many contractors can only handle a few of these services. It can be cost effective to find a specialized contractor that is experienced and equipped to handle a large variety of industrial services that meet the needs of your storage tank system. For instance, it is helpful to have a contractor that can transfer process water in Level D PPE one day and make a Level A entry into a hazardous environment the next. A contractor that specializes in storage tank systems can meet service needs ranging from installation, to inspection, maintenance and removal.

Safety is one of the most important factors to consider when hiring a contractor. You should investigate the contractor’s training program and safety records; both of which can be a strong indicator of job performance. The contractor you select should have training for the hazards associated with your storage tank system. Training such as OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER and confined space entry are a necessity. Make sure your contractor is trained to handle the job.

When selecting a contractor to meet the needs of your storage tank system, lowest cost may be an attractive feature; however, the cheapest contractor may not always be the best solution. Choosing by price alone may cost you in the end. Experience, knowledge, capability and safety are important aspects that should be considered when selecting a partner to meet the service needs of your storage tank system.

For information on Summit Contracting’s tank cleaning services, visit www.summitcontracting.net or call (812) 421-1744.