Tank Cleaning Chemicals

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The following list provides information on the suitability of various tank cleaning chemicals for tanks coated with PPG marine tank coating systems.

The results are based on tests carried out at the PPG laboratories.

The Testing Regime

Maximum Temperature

Concentration

Duration

as specified in table

as specified in table and given as a percentage (%)

maximum 24 hours

The information contained in the following tables is specific to the above testing conditions. Please consult PPG if the conditions of use are outside those tested.

Resistance Information

+ = suitable for normal cleaning procedure
- = unsuitable
NT = not tested
d = exposure may lead to light coating discoloration
D = exposure may lead to heavy coating discoloration

Note: when stated at 20°C, use at ambient temperatures up to 40°C is permitted.

Whilst the tank cleaning chemicals contained in this list have been tested, PPG does not advise on specific tank cleaning procedures or regimes, only on the suitability of the tank cleaning products for use with the below mentioned coating systems. For detailed advice on this subject, we recommend contacting one of the specialist companies mentioned in this list. However, all tank cleaning chemicals should be used in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations.

This tank cleaning chemicals list is only valid for the intact tank coating systems as detailed in the respective system sheets mentioned below.

ASHLAND CHEMICALS (Drew Ameroid)

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Edge Heavy Duty Cleaner

75

10

+

+

+

+D

TC #4 Tankcleaner

75

100

+

+

+

+D

Oil and Grease Remover

20

100

+

+

+

+D

CHEMTEC

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Chemtec CTR

60

10

+

+

+

+

Chemtec CTR

20

100

+

+

+

+

Chemtec KT-Solve

60

5

+

+

+

-

Chemtec KT-Plus

80

5

+

+

+

NT

HENKEL / CP MANUFACTURING

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Henkel P3-Grato 14

80

10

+

+

+d

+D

Henkel P3-Grato 50

90

5

+

+

+

+D

Henkel P3-Grato 60

90

10

+

+

+

+D

Henkel P3-Grato 80

90

20

+

+

+

+D

Henkel P3-A

50

1

+

+

+

+D

Henkel P3-NA

90

10

+

+

+

-

Henkel P3-FD

100

15

+

+

+

-

Henkel Grato Sol Plus +

20

100

+

+

+

-

Henkel Grato Sol Plus +

60

5

+

+

+

-

GYRO

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Voyage Clean

80

0.4

+

+

+

-

Citroslove Degreaser

80

20

+d

+d

+d

-

Bunker "C" Solvent

25

100

+

+

+

+

3025

80

25

+

+

+

+d

Hydro Carbon Cleaner

25

25

+

+

+

+d

Pler & Deck Cleaner

25

100

+

+

+

-

Exhaust Gas Cleaner

25

8

+

+

+

+

AVO Liquid Super

80

2

+d

+d

-

+d

MARINECARE

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Careclean Alkaline

90

10

+d

+d

-

-

Careclean Alkaline Extra

90

10

+d

-

-

-

Careclean Neutral HCF

60

15

+

+

+

+D

Careclean Hydrocarbon Free

5

75

+

+

+

-

Careclean HD

80

5

+

+

+

+d

Careclean HD Split

50

20

NT

NT

NT

+d

Careclean Voyage

50

5

+d

+d

+d

-

Careclean Coal Tar

50

10

+

+

+

+D

Careclean Buffer

45

10

+

+

+

-

Careclean Buffer

80

100

+

+

+

-

Careclean Air Fresch

20

1

+

+

+

+d

Careclean GP

20

100

+

+

+

-

Careclean GP

60

2

+

+

+

-

Careclean Degreaser GP

10

60

+

+

+

+D

Careclean Aquawash

20

20

+

+

+

-

Careclean Eco

60

0.5

+

+

+d

-

Careclean Eco

60

0.5

+

+

+d

-

Careclean Rust

80

0.5

+

+

+

-

Careclean Energy Wash

40

2

+

+

+

+D

Careclean Energy Wash

80

2

+

+

+

+D

Careclean Multicleaner

80

3

+

+

+

-

ONDEO Nalco

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Nalfleet "Seashield" HDC 79104

70

0.4

+

+

+

-

Nalfleet "Seashield" HDC 79105

60

2.5

+

+

+

-

Nalfleet "Seashield" HDC 79110

60

0.5

+

+

+

-

TECO MARITIME ASA

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Marclean HD

70

5

+d

+

+

-

Marclean STD

70

5

+

+

+

-

Marclean SC

60

2

+d

+d

+d

-

Marclean SC 147

65

2

+

+

+

-

Marisol HD

60

20

+

+

+

-

UNISCAN / UNISERVER

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Uniclean Tank

80

10

+

+

+

+D

Paratrooper

80

15

+

+

+

-

Tankcleaning Seperating

80

10

+

+

+

+

Bufferclean 5.5

60

5

+

+

+

+

Uniclean HD

80

10

+

+

+

+

Seaclean

80

10

+D

-

-

+D

Alkaclean

85

10

+

+

+

-

Waterbased Neural HCF

80

10

+

+

+

+

Coal Tar Remover

50

10

+

-

-

NT

Ecoclean

80

4

+

+

-

-

Uniclean Break

20

100

+

+

+

+

Ecodis

20

10

+

+

+

+

Coldwash

20

100

+

+

+

+D

Alkaclean Safety

20

5

+

+

+

+D

Genepol

20

5

+

+

+

+

Rust Remover

40

100

+

-

-

-

Uniclean Drastic

60

2

+

+

+

+d

Uniclean Dyeout

60

2

+

+

+

-

UNITOR

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Seaclean

80

30

+d

+d

+D

+D

Coldwash HD

60

30

+d

+

+

+D

Cleanbreak

80

30

+

+

+

+D

Alkeen Liquid

80

20

+

+D

-

-

Alkeen Safety Liquid

80

5

+

+

+

+D

Enviroclean

60

0.7

+

+

+

+D

Tankleen

80

30

+d

+d

+D

+D

H.P. Wash

20

20

+

+

+

+D

Aquabreak PX

20

5

+

+

+

+D

Metal Brite HD

20

5

+

+

+

-

VECOM

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 (SIGMA SILGUARD MC)

Bufferclean

75

100

+

+

+

-

Coal Tar Cleaner

50

10

+

+

+

+D

Multiclean

20

20

+

+

+

-

Tankclean at Sea

50

5

+d

+d

+d

+d

Veclean Tank

50

20

+

+

+

+D

Waterbased Alkaline HD

95

10

+

+

-

-

Waterbased Neutral HCF

60

15

+

+

+

+D

Tankclean HCF

5

75

+

+

+

+

Tankclean Seperating

5

75

+

+

+

+

Degreaser HF

10

90

+

+

+

+D

Degreaser GP

10

60

+

+

+

+D

This list is based on laboratory tests carried out on samples supplied by the various companies. The information contained herein is given in good faith and PPG cannot be held responsible for the consequences of changes to chemical composition or pattern of use. This list supersedes all earlier issues and is subject to change without notice.

Caustic Soda, Potassium Soda

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Caustic Soda

60

5

+

+

+d

-

Potassium Soda

60

5

+

+

+d

-

Preparation of the cleaning solution:

In order to avoid unnecessary damage to the tank coating, the following procedure for preparation of Caustic Soda and Potassium Soda solutions is highly recommended.

When preparing a cleaning solution with concentrated solutions of Caustic or Potassium Soda, first pump the required quantity of (sea) water into the slop tank. Add the concentrated Caustic Soda or Potassium Soda solution to the (sea) water to give the required concentration (maximum concentration is 5%). Heat the solution under circulation to the required temperature (maximum 60°C) for cleaning. The maximum time that the solution is allowed in the tank at 60°C is 24 hours.

When preparing a cleaning solution using Caustic or Potassium Soda pellets, first pump the required quantity of sea water into the slop tank. Add the required quantity of pellets of Caustic Soda or Potassium Soda to the (sea) water in the tank (maximum concentration is 5%). After the pellets have dissolved, the solution can be heated up under circulation to the required temperature (maximum 60°C). The maximum time that the solution is allowed in the tank at maximum 60°C is 24 hours.

It is highly recommended to prepare this solution in this way in order to avoid unnecessary damage to the tank coating through uncontrolled temperature and concentration fluctuations and to confine the preparation of these cleaning solutions to the slop tanks to avoid possible damage to the cargo tanks.

Notes:

  • The coating should be resistant to this solution at maximum 60°C
  • After cleaning the solution should be transported to the slop tank and the tank immediately and thoroughly washed with fresh water.

Butyl Cellosolve

Tank Cleaning Chemical

Temp °C

Maximum Concentration

PPG PHENGUARD series

PPG NOVAGUARD 840

PPG SIGMAGUARD 720

PPG SIGMAGUARD 750

Butyl Cellosolve

60

10

+

-

-

+

Butyl Cellosolve

60

20

+

-

-

+

Butyl Cellosolve

60

50

+

-

-

+

A solution of 10%, 20% or 50% Butyl Cellosolve (Ethylene Glycol Mono Butyl Ether) in fresh water can be used as a cleaning agent for cargo tanks with PPG PHENGUARD series or PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 that have carried vegetable oils.

The maximum time that the solution is allowed in a tank at 60°C coated with PPG PHENGUARD series is 4 hours. This should only be used when absolutely necessary.

The maximum time that the solution is allowed in a tank at 60°C coated with PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 is 24 hours.