Capt. A.K.

Sharma- Tankers - COW -

What is Crude Oil Washing?

The process of washing the tanks
of a crude oil tanker with crude
oil rather than with water as
used to be done in earlier days.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

Let us now
look at how
this is
achieved!
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

COW (COW) - WHY?

Increasingly restrictive legislation
Need to stop oil pollution completely
Oil industry stepped up its search
for improved methods of cleaning
tanks.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

COW (COW)
Majority of oil tankers carry crude oil
Crude carriers - biggest pollution threat.
International Agreement required to stop
all oil tankers carrying salt-water ballast
in cargo tanks.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

Implications? far reaching

Very much higher transportation costs
a)From reduced carrying capacity of
individual oil tankers fitted with more
segregated ballast tanks.
b)Extensive modification required to
existing ships.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

Alternative cleaning?
To obtain International Agreement on
such a controversial matter not easy
Idea was seriously considered by I.M.O.
Early 1970's oil companies commenced
investigating other alternatives.
Water -not a good cleaning agent for
crude oil
A Solvent was required.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

Experiments - Naptha cleaning

Under controlled conditions a series of
experiments were conducted in Aruba,
in the Netherland Antillies.
After discharging a cargo of crude oil,
the tanks were washed with Naphtha
supplied from shore, but using the
ship's tank cleaning machines.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

Experiments - Atmosphere control

Atmosphere in each cargo tank was
monitored carefully
Kept over-rich or above upper explosive
limit,
Ensuring that there was little or no risk
of an explosion or fire caused by static
or other factors.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

Experiments -results
Very successful - clear indication that
Naphtha was a much better cleaning
agent than water.
Problem - Naphtha is expensive, not
readily available for cleaning tanks on
crude ships.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Further Experiments
Tried machine washing tanks with actual
cargo, during discharge.
Not easy to persuade terminal and port
authorities to permit the tanks to be
washed with crude as the cargo was
being discharged.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Further Experiments
Evidence had to be provided that the
conditions governing such practices were
safe and the benefits were worthwhile.
Due to carefully monitored and controlled
experiments - current method of tank
washing with crude oil during discharge
has been accepted by most oil terminals
& port authorities, & approved by I.M.O.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Limiting Conditions for COW

Development of COW - gradual.
Equipment of various types - tested,
approved or discarded while results
evaluated.
Slowly it became clear that crude washing
during the discharge was a major
breakthrough, and gradually procedures
were developed, acceptable to both ship
and shore authorities.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Limiting Conditions for COW suitable equipment required

COW largely confined to ships fitted with
suitable equipment, as follows:1.Ship must have an IG system and ability
to control & limit O2 in cargo tanks.
(upper limit of 8% is fairly normal.)
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Limiting Conditions for COW suitable equipment required

2. Fixed-in-place machines, mounted
through the deck with suitable nozzles for
crude washing, and fixed piping with
pumps mounted in the cargo pump room,
and not the engine room.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Limiting Conditions for COW suitable equipment required

3.Alarms and monitoring fail-safe devices
must be fitted to ensure that the Inert
Gas System exerts sufficient pressures
at all times, and spillage does not occur
from deck piping or slop tanks.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation
Main objective of COW - to remove crude
residue from cargo tanks
Residue upto 1% of cargo loaded.
300,000 dwt tanker = 3000 tons.
If COW effectively done, ROB cut to
around 500 tons, (most entrapped in
pipeline system and slop tanks).
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation
At present COW not a complete
substitute for water washing
Does not dispense with L.O.T. if water
ballast is carried in crude tanks or
pumped through cargo piping.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation
Large crude tankers fitted with IGS &
closed loading & discharging systems
need to have an individual check list to
ensure all safety and monitoring
equipment as well as the actual pumping
and cleaning equipment is working
efficiently and free from leaks.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation
Failure of any equipment may justify
shutting down COW for safety or other
operational reasons.
Numerous types of equipment & methods
used to crude-wash individual ships.
Varies considerably - ship & circumstances.
O.C.I.M.F. - handbook called 'Guidelines for
Tank Washing with Crude Oil', outlines safe
procedures for COW operations.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation
Most popular method at the present time
appears to divide COW of individual
tanks into two distinct phases.
1. Top wash (sometimes divided into two
separate operations)
2. Bottom Wash.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation Top Wash

Commences when tank still one third full.
Deck mounted machines turned on and
exposed areas of tank washed with jets
of crude - pressure of 10-12 kg/cm 2 ,
according to the type and number of
machines used.
Exposed areas left with a thin film of
crude,
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Full Cargo Tank, discharge

has commenced

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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WHEN THE TANK IS ABOUT HALF

EMPTY PROGRAMME MACHINES
FROM 150O TO 70O

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation Top Wash

Clingage drops to tank bottom and is
discharged with the cargo ashore.
Normally a cargo pump is used to
provide crude oil to the tank-washing
machines.
Tank washing machines have an
individual capacity of 150 to 175 cubic
metres per hour.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation Bottom Wash

When oil in the tank is fairly low, bottom
washing commences.
In some cases this involves using
machines fitted on mounts or platforms
near the bottom.
These machines are normally
submerged when cargo is in the tank,

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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WHEN THE TANK IS ALMOST

EMPTY (1-2M) PROGRAMME
MACHINES FROM 70O TO 30O

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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WHEN THE TANK IS EMPTY

PROGRAMME MACHINES FROM
30O TO 0O

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation Bottom Wash

Bottom mounted machines are very
useful, not only to wash sludge off the
tank bottoms, but to reach areas of the
tank screened by some structural
members and frame from being
effectively cleaned by the through-deck
mounted machines.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Operation Bottom Wash

Bottom washing depends largely on the
bottom being kept uncovered so that the
crude jets can move the sludge.
Stripping must be effective &, if possible,
should be conducted by use of one or
more eductors driven by a cargo pump.
The eductor would normally discharge
into one or both of the slop tanks.
Slop tank level - carefully monitored.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Machines
Not all fixed-deck or submergedmounted machines are suitable for crude
washing.
Many of the older types have unsuitable,
nozzles and are prone to leak at glands
and other fittings when used for crude.
Various makes are in use.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Machines
Lavomatic Selective Arc T/C machine.
Suitable for crude and water washing.
Fixed through-deck mounting.
Fitted with a single nozzle on the end of
the drop-pipe and operated by a simple
gear train.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Machines
Lavomatic Selective Arc T/C machine.
Machine & drop-pipe can be withdrawn
for maintenance through aperture in deck
Driving/timing mechanism mounted
above deck.
Can be portable or an integral part of
each machine.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Machines
Lavomatic Selective Arc T/C machine.
Portable version can be hydraulically or
pneumatically driven.
Fixed driving/timing mechanism is
hydraulically operated.
Driving/timing device - angle of nozzle
on each machine can be controlled for
top washing or bottom washing cycles
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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COW Machines
Lavomatic Selective Arc T/C machine.
Arc & radius of action should meet the
requirements of the particular wash
cycle.
Depending on type of equipment used &
size of ship, as many as 100 machines
may be required, with 10 - 15 in any one
tank to clean a 300,000-d.w.t. tanker.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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THE SAME PROCESS

SHOULD BE REPEATED
FOR EACH
SUBSEQUENT TANK
THAT IS CRUDE OIL
WASHED
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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REMEMBER THAT
WASH TIMINGS AND
MACHINE
PROGRAMME ANGLES
ARE TO BE AS PER THE
CRUDE OIL WASHING
MANUAL OF THE SHIP
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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REGULATIONS REQUIRE
ALL TANKS TO BE BALLASTED ARE
TO BE CRUDE OIL WASHED FIRST
TWENTY FIVE PERCENT OF THE
BALANCE TANKS ARE TO BE CRUDE
OIL WASHED
ALL TANKS TO BE WASHED AT
LEAST ONCE EVERY FOUR MONTHS
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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CRUDE OIL TANKER WITH SEGREGATED

BALLAST TANKS AND 27 C.O.Ts.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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MASTER DECIDES (AS REQUIRED) TO KEEP 2C, 5C

AND 8C READY FOR HEAVY WEATHER BALLAST.
THESE TANKS ARE TO BE C.O.Wed.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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THIS LEAVES A BALANCE OF 24 C.O.Ts. OF

WHICH 25% ARE TO BE C.O.Wed. i.e.6 TANKS

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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NEXT VOYAGE, THE HEAVY WEATHER BALLAST

TANKS PLUS ANOTHER 25% OF THE C.O.Ts. ARE
TO BE DONE

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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A FURTHER 25% OF C.O.Ts PLUS THE HEAVY

WEATHER BALLAST TANKS WILL BE C.O.Wed
THE FOLLOWING VOYAGE

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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THE LAST 25% OF C.O.Ts PLUS THE HEAVY

WEATHER BALLAST TANKS WILL BE C.O.Wed IN
THE FOURTH VOYAGE

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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CONDITIONS INFLUENCING COW RESULT

MACHINE NUMBER, LOCATION, NOZZLE
DIAMETER
WASHING PRESSURE
ULLAGE WHEN WASHING STARTED
WASHING TIME
MACHINE PROGRAMMING
STRIPPING EFFICIENCY
DRAIN HOLE LOCATION, NUMBER, SIZE
TRIM OF THE SHIP
CRUDE OIL SPECIFICATIONS
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Advantages of COW
1. As the tanks are washed with cargo
during dischargea) The crude oil residue left clinging to the
ships side and internal members is
reduced substantially.
b) The build up of sludge and was in the
tank bottoms is largely eliminated.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Advantages of COW
2.Experience has shown that cargo loss
during tanker transportation is reduced
as a result of a comparison between
ships using COW and others cleaning
conventional means. In other words, by
washing with crude oil during discharge,
more of the cargo discharged ashore and
the individual tanks are left a lot cleaner.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Advantages of COW
3.Tanks, which have been washed with
crude oil, require far less cleaning and
water washing, either for clean ballast or
for entry into a repair yard.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Advantages of COW
4.Less dirty ballast and wash water are
required for COW, so the potential for
pollution is reduced during tank cleaning
at sea.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Advantages of COW
5.With less salt water washing, steel
corrosion within the cargo tanks is
reduced

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Disadvantages of COW
There are three main disadvantages to
COW as practiced at the present time1. It does not entirely eliminate the need for
washing with salt water, either for clean
ballast or entering a repair yard. It also
does nothing to clear and gas free
pipelines within the ship.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Disadvantages of COW
2.The need for ships to be fitted with an
inert gas system and fixed washing
machines designed for crude washing,
means that a lot of older and smaller
ships are unable to avail themselves for
COW without major modification and
expenditure.

Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Disadvantages of COW
3. COW -when ship is discharging
Means that normal discharge prolonged
Whole ship COW - normal shore facilities
discharge time > upto 25 % of normal.
If COW rotational (CBT + selected tanks)
this figure can be reduced to approx.
10%-15% of the normal discharge time,
Obviously crude recovered will be less.
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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ADVANTAGES OF C.O.W.
HIGHER CARGO OUT-TURN DUE TO:
LESS CLINGAGE, LESS SLUDGE
DEPOSITS, EFFICIENT DRAINAGE
VLCC ESTIMATED R.O.B. AFTER
DISCHARGE
WITHOUT COW - 1000 M3
WITH COW
- 300 M3
BENEFITS REFINERY, SHIPOWNER,
CHARTERER Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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ADVANTAGES OF C.O.W.
POLLUTION AVOIDANCE DUE TO:
LESSER OIL IN DEPARTURE BALLAST
LESSER WATER WASHING ENROUTE
NO WATER WASH FOR SLUDGE
CONTROL
LESSER SLOP RECOVERY AT END OF
BALLAST PASSAGE
BENEFITS ENVIRONMENT, OWNER,
REFINERY
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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ADVANTAGES OF C.O.W.
LESSER SALT CONTAMINATION DUE
TO:
REDUCED WATER WASHING
THEREFORE LESSER SALT
INTRODUCTION INTO THE TANKS
BENEFITS CARGO RECEIVERS,
REFINERY
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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ADVANTAGES OF C.O.W.
CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY
INCREASED, HENCE HIGHER
FREIGHT EARNINGS
BETTER CORROSION CONTROL
REDUCED WORKLOAD ON BALLAST
PASSAGE
DRASTIC REDUCTION IN DRYDOCK
PREPARATION TIME
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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Only advantages
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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DIS - ADVANTAGES OF C.O.W.

INCREASE IN

DISCHARGE PERIOD
PORT WORK LOAD
POLLUTION RISKS
GAS GENERATION
PRESSURE SURGE RISKS
SKILLED MAINT. REQUIREMENT
EQUIPMENT COSTS
Capt. A.K. Sharma- Tankers - COW -

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