Slop Tank

The refinery has two groups of slop tanks. The first group is used to recover oil from the API
separator, and the second group is located in the tank farm . The oil separation from wastewater
in these tanks depends on the physical process. The contents of the tanks are heated to 66°C over
a period of three hours. Once the desired temperature is reached the separation process is
completed, the bottom layer, which contains the waste-water, is drained to sewers through a
valve located at the lowest point of the tank and the top layer, which contains the oil, is pumped
to the final product fuel tanks (slop tanks, second group).

During the IER, most of the sewers near the slop tanks (the second group) were observed to be
partially blocked. The area became a pool of oily water .This condition results from a poorly
implemented preventive maintenance program. Substituting pressurized steam-cleaning methods
for existing washing techniques will improve both housekeeping and water
conservation.24 Sewer lines, sumps, and catch basins also need to be cleaned periodically.

nother environmental aspect observed regards draining operations. The draining operation of the
bottom layer in the tanks, which contains wastewater, is done manually, which often leads to
spills. Large slugs of oil were observed to spill directly onto the ground and drain into the sewer.
This creates shock loads to the API separator. The P2 recommendation is to replace the drain
valves with higher-density sensitive valves (i.e., valves with a sensor that detects density or
conductivity differences between oil and water and automatically closes if oil is
detected).25 Additionally, this valve may be used for the following purposes:
1.

On oil storage tanks. When draining water from the bottom of tanks, they will prevent fuel or oil
carryover and minimize the risk of pollution.
2.

Installed on the rainwater drain line, they will automatically close if oil or fuel is detected in the
water stream.

Another environmental aspect concerns oil analysis. Oil analysis (water content, sediment) is
performed on the separated oil in the slop tanks (second group) before sending it to the fuel
product tank. Oil that does not meet the standards is drained into the sewers. This plugs the
sewers and increases the housekeeping problems in the area. The pumping cost (from the slop
tank, first group, to the second group) and the separation cost in both groups represent a financial
loss.

To overcome this problem the refinery should change the oil analyzing program by analyzing the
separated oil in the slop tanks in the first group (once the separation operation is finished). This
P2 recommendation will enable the refinery to save both money and time and increase
the equalization of the received wastewater at the API separator.

Good housekeeping practices will eliminate wastes from piling up, reduce worker accidents,
minimize on-site contamination, reduce the risks for fires, and improve overall productivity.
Senior management has agreed with this and initiated adoption of the following
recommendations.

A large amount of nonhazardous solid waste is collected in a boneyard located next to the flare.
Further assessment showed that both hazardous and nonhazardous wastes are mixed together. It
is recommended that theses solids be segregated as hazardous and nonhazardous solids.
Hazardous wastes can be disposed of in secure landfills designed for such wastes, and the
nonhazardous stream may be deposited in a municipal landfill.

In the process section, such as the asphalt, distillation, and FCC units, and the transport section,
during maintenance, barrels of spent and waste materials are haphazardly staged and stockpiled.
This results in oil and product spills. In the caustic soda solution unit, the caustic soda is placed
in rusty and corroded barrels, leading to dispersion of the soda all around the unit. Soda increases
both wastewater salinity and metal corrosion. Used chemical PVC and steel drums also are
collected and scattered about.
The following low-cost or no-cost P2 recommendations have been adopted by the refinery:
•
Develop a written housekeeping plan and procedures for each section of the refinery.
•

Use dry cleaning as a first option in case of any oil or chemical spillage and replace the existing
washing techniques, using a flow of water, with a pressurized steam-cleaning method (available
at http://rea-na.com/MI-brochure.htm) to improve cleaning efficiency and reduce water
consumption and, therefore, wastewater generation (available at http://rea-na.com/MI-
brochure.htm).
•
Store lube oil barrels in organized stores, well labeled and defined.
•

Place caustic substances in plastic bags. Construct a store area for caustic soda bags to prevent
any soda losses.
•
Send spent chemical PVC and steel drums to the allocated staging area for disposal.
•

Implement a waste inventory and tracking system, so large amounts of wastes do not continue
to stockpile on site.

The refinery has two groups of slop tanks. The first group is used to recover oil from the API
separator, and the second group is located in the tank farm. The oil separation from wastewater
in these tanks depends on the physical process. The contents of the tanks are heated to 66°C over
a period of three hours. Once the desired temperature is reached the separation process is
completed; the bottom layer, which contains the wastewater, is drained to sewers through a valve
located at the lowest point of the tank; and the top layer, which contains the oil, is pumped to the
final product fuel tanks (slop tanks, second group).

During the IER, most of the sewers near the slop tanks (the second group) were observed to be
partially blocked. The area became a pool of oily water (see Figure 4.11). This condition results
from a poorly implemented preventive maintenance program. Substituting pressurized steam-
cleaning methods for existing washing techniques will improve both housekeeping and water
conservation. Sewer lines, sumps, and catch basins also need to be cleaned periodically.
 PROJECT
IN
SEAM 214
(MW2:30-4:30)

SLOP TANK
MEMBERS:
D/C YPANTO, REYMOND
D/C BENLOT, JEFFERSON
D/C MERIZ, EDGARDO
D/C LEGANIA, IAN TIRSO
D/C PITEN, JOHANN KARL