Ecochlor and NanoVapor to introduce a new gas-freeing tank technology
Soon to market, the NanoVapor technology dramatically improves workplace health and safety while significantly reducing time and any environmental pollution related to “degassing” bunker tanks and cargo tanks on barges.
Maritime news coverage has been inundated with the latest tragedies surrounding the cleaning of confined-spaces on board ships. Despite very strict procedures, regulatory guidelines and instruction manuals highlighting the risks associated with working in enclosed spaces, seafarers are still at risk of dying.
During a recent webinar hosted by InterManager, seafarers reported “enclosed spaces are frequently impossible to properly ventilate or to measure the atmosphere in, as well as being difficult to reach.”
Using break-through technology, the NanoVapor process reduces the time needed to achieve a gas-free condition in confined spaces by up to 90%, making tank cleaning, maintenance, and inspections much safer and faster at the same time. NanoVapor’s system consists of a liquid nano-suppressant and a hardware delivery unit: These components work together to produce and then insert tiny nano-droplets of suppressant molecules into the fuel tank using a high-flow air stream. The molecules work microscopically to quickly stop the evaporation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) throughout the entire tank. It is even effective with residual fuel or sludge remaining in the tank, all the while fully preserving ambient oxygen for a seaman’s safe entry. The nanotechnology is completely non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-reactive, and biodegradable; it is completely safe for human contact.
At the International Shipowning and Shipmanaging Summit, during the London International Shipping Week (LISW 2019), Ecochlor’s Andrew Marshall will be introducing this patented Vapor Suppression System (VSS) to ship owners and managers. Mr. Marshall believes that this nanotechnology will, “revolutionize tank cleaning and gas freeing of cargo and bunker tanks in preparation for dry dock or tank inspections for emergencies or maintenance. Additionally, it can be used to facilitate faster tank cleaning procedures in due to fuel switching for the new global sulfur cap regulations allowing vessels to get back to normal operation as quickly as possible.”
NanoVapor’s CEO, Russ Chew is very excited about bringing this technology to marine transportation industry:
“Our VSS’s have been successfully applied across the transportation industry for many years, including commercial aviation, retail underground tanks and inland marine. We have been designated a global ‘Best Practice’ standard by Shell Oil for the degassing of underground petrol tanks for maintenance and inspections.”
About NanoVapor
NanoVapor’s breakthrough nanotechnology dramatically reduces the time needed to purge and gas-free a tank by up to 90% even with residual sludge remaining. It protects all health and safety requirements for tank entry, and can facilitate faster bunker tank cleaning procedures to satisfy the IMO global sulfur cap 2020.
