Tank Cleaning with BioSolve

The BioSolve Company 329 Massachusetts Avenue │ Lexington, MA 02420 USA +1 (800) 225-3909
Application Information Sheet
Introduction to Tank Cleaning with Pinkwater
BioSolve Pinkwater is used by leading tank
maintenance contractors at oil production,
storage and refining operations in the US and
numerous foreign countries. Pinkwater is used
for degassing and decontamination at facilities
of many major oil companies and pipeline
companies, such as ExxonMobil, BP,
Marathon, Chevron, Hess, Conoco Philips,
Valero, Colonial Pipeline and others.
Pinkwater is primarily known for its
effectiveness in the final cleaning and
degassing of tanks containing volatile products,
such as gasoline and condensates. In fact,
Pinkwater is used on a wide range of tank
cleaning projects involving the full spectrum of
petroleum products, including crude. A list of
recent projects is available upon request.
Projects using BioSolve Pinkwater over the
past 2 years include:
 Sludge removal and degassing of oil field
(crude) collection tanks
 Removing p-xylene from interstitial space under
tank at a petrochemical refining facility
 Cleaning and degassing a crude sulfate
turpentine tank and pipelines at a Kraft pulp mill
 Decontaminating a decommissioned gasoline
pipeline at a fuel terminal
 Degassing an acrylonitrile tank for manned entry
at a petrochemical plant
 Removing sludge and degassing a sour water
tank at a crude oil processing plant
 Final cleaning and degassing of gasoline tanks
at a refinery
 Scheduled cleaning and sludge
decontamination of pressure vessels on
offshore oil platforms
 High volume scrubbing of refinery process
sewer gas
 Degassing a distillates tank at a refinery
HOW PINKWATER WORKS
BioSolve Pinkwater is a highly “lipophilic” (oil
loving) non-ionic surfactant formulation that
works in two ways.
First, Pinkwater solubilizes hydrocarbon
contaminates, thereby stripping them from
surfaces such as tank walls and internal
structures, concrete retaining walls and sludge.
Second, Pinkwater encapsulates or emulsifies
hydrocarbon droplets within water and
surfactant “micelles”, dramatically reducing
vapor pressure, VOC levels and LEL readings.
Pinkwater works best when it is vigorously
applied to assure contact and thorough mixing
with hydrocarbons, using equipment such as
pumps, high pressure sprayers, and manway
cannons.
The Pinkwater Advantage
 Quick turnaround decontaminates and reduces
LELs in a single application
 Safe, efficient working conditions (no hazardous
chemicals)
 Promotes lower disposal cost (making sludge
non-hazardous)
Condensate tank for cleaning and degassing
Pacific BioSolve - M: 0419223608 – E: pbiosolve@gmail.com

Since 1997, BioSolve Pinkwater has been listed as SW-20 in the EPA NCP Product Schedule. (This listing indicates only that data has been submitted to EPA as required by
Subpart J of the National Contingency Plan 300.915.) For professional use at the user’s discretion and risk. Instructions provided herein are not intended for site specific
applications. Do not use BioSolve Pinkwater without proper permits, approvals and authorization by appropriate regulatory agencies. Use in compliance with all federal, state,
and local rules and regulations. For MSDS, application protocols or additional information contact The BioSolve Company.
“Pinkwater works fast, is
easy to use and reduces the
total cost of the project.”
TANK CLEANING WITH PINKWATER
Pinkwater is sold and shipped as a
concentrate and diluted with water on site. A
typical working solution is in the 2% to 6%
range. As a guideline for cleaning, plan for 1
gallon of Pinkwater concentrate for each 20
gallons of residual hydrocarbons in the tank.
For light product tanks where there is little
sludge, prepare a Pinkwater working solution
in a large mixing tank (e.g., a frac tank). This
solution can be applied to contaminated
surfaces with a high pressure spraying system
to assure thorough contact and mixing with
residual hydrocarbons on the roof, walls,
internal structures, bottom and in the sump.
For tanks with several feet (or more) of sludge
containing more than 40% water, Pinkwater
concentrate can be mixed directly with water in
the tank using an educator system as part of
the circulation loop. Effectiveness requires
good circulation in the tank to achieve uniform
mixing.
For final cleaning and degassing prior to
manned entry, Pinkwater solution is generally
applied using an automated pressure washing
system (such as a water cannon or rotary
impingement equipment) to loosen and
solubilize any residual sludge and to rinse
hydrocarbons from, the walls, roof, sump and
internal structures.
Cleaning and degassing with Pinkwater will
eliminate the source of any new vapors.
However, these procedures will not eliminate
vapors already filling the vapor space.
Depending on the tank size, location and
environmental regulations, existing vapors may
be removed through thermal oxidation
systems, gas scrubbing, tank misting or with
some other treatment.
Additional Information Sheets are available
describing specific tank cleaning protocols.
ALWAYS ASSESS THE GENERAL CONDITION
OF THE TANK BEFORE COMMENCING WORK
AND ESTIMATE THE QUANTITY RESIDUAL
PRODUCT TO BE PROCESSED.
VERIFY THE LOCATION OF TANK SUMPAS
THIS IS THE MOST LIKELY LOCATION FOR
COLLECTING EFFLUENT.
BEFORE ENTERING ATANK CHECK
ATMOSPHERE WITH AN EXPLOSION METER.
USE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT.
Pacific BioSolve
PO BOX 181 - Cronulla, NSW 2230
M: 0419223608 - E: pbiosolve@aol.com

Five Tank Cleaning Applications
Tank maintenance contractors use BioSolve
Pinkwater in a variety of ways that best
leverage Pinkwater’s functionality to match
project requirements. Virtually all applications
are related to various needs for cleaning,
decontaminating and degassing tanks and
pipelines in preparation for manned entry and
maintenance. Five applications are
summarized in this Information Sheet, based
on descriptions provided by contractors and
tank owners with experience using BioSolve
Pinkwater.
Please call The BioSolve Company for more
information or to discuss the particular
challenges associated with your tank
cleaning/degassing project.
FINAL CLEANING & DEGASSING
Pinkwater is primarily known for its
effectiveness in degassing tanks containing
volatile products, such as gasoline, in some
cases reducing the time to degas by over 60%.
Pinkwater removes the source of hydrocarbon
vapors while tank surfaces are being cleaned.
When applied under pressure to interior
surfaces (using a manway cannon or other
high pressure spraying system), Pinkwater
emulsifies hydrocarbons on contact.
Pinkwater’s aggressive surfactant formulation
“grabs” hydrocarbons from hard surfaces and
encapsulates them in an emulsion, cleaning
internal surfaces and reducing the source of
LELs.
For tanks used to store light products, with little
or no sludge, a single application of Pinkwater
will often clean and degas the tank reducing
LEL readings to near zero in preparation for
manned entry.
Using Pinkwater may also help control
hydrogen sulfide levels and can be used with
many commercial hydrogen sulfide scavenger
products. However, always test compatibility
before using.
CLEANING & DEGASSING UNDER THE TANK
Occasionally a leak in the bottom of a tank
may become a source of hydrocarbon vapors
that keeps LELs over the limit for hot work or
even manned entry. If the location of the leak
Estimating Pinkwater Volume – Part 1
As an example, a 100 ft. diameter tank with an
average residual sludge depth of 3 in.:
 Volume of sludge (cu. ft.)
= area of tank (sq. ft.) x depth of sludge (ft.)
 Volume of sludge (cu. ft.)
= 7,850 sq. ft. x 0.25 ft. = 1,960 cu. ft.
 Assume sludge is 50% hydrocarbons
= 1,960 cu. ft. x 0.5 = 980 cu. ft. of
hydrocarbons
 Volume of hydrocarbons (gal)
= 980 cu. ft. x 7.48 gal/cu. ft. = 7,330 gallons
 Pinkwater concentrate required (using a
ratio of 20 parts hydrocarbons to 1 part
Pinkwater concentrate)
7,330 ÷ 20 = 366 gallons of Pinkwater
 Volume of working solution (4% solution)
= 336 gallons of concentrate ÷ 0.04 = 9,162
gallons of Pinkwater solution
Gasoline tank for degassing
Pacific BioSolve - AUS/NZ - Susan M. Hollenbeck - M: 0419223608 - E: pbiosolve@gmail.com

“BioSolve Pinkwater has cut
our time to prepare a tank for
manned entry by more than
60%”
(or leaks) can be identified, Pinkwater solution
can be injected into the sand under the tank to
emulsify hydrocarbons and suppress vapors.
This may require safely drilling holes around
the leak and installing nozzles so that
Pinkwater can be pumped into the interstitial
spaces in the sand. In many cases this will
eliminate the source of vapors and reduce
LELs to safe levels for completing repairs.
For larger leaks it may be necessary to
decontaminate the sand by using Pinkwater to
remove hydrocarbons through an injection and
extraction operation. The feasibility of doing
this depends on the configuration of the tank
bottom and the presence of a leak detection or
drain system under the tank.
SLUDGE CLEANING
Under some conditions it may be desirable to
“clean” sludge solids to avoid the high cost
disposing of this waste in a hazardous
materials land fill. After circulating the sludge
mixture in the tank, adding cutter stocks as
needed to achieve a pumpable mixture, a side
stream of the liquefied sludge is diverted from
the primary recirculating loop, and batched to a
frac tank. After separating out in the frac tank,
the hydrocarbons can be drawn off the top for
reprocessing.
Pinkwater concentrate is then added to the
residual water and sludge in the frac tank and
mixed thoroughly to achieve a homogeneous
mixture. Depending on the proportion of solids
to water in this mixture, it may be necessary to
adjust the amount of water in the tank for
efficient cleaning of the solids.
Mixing in the frac tank should assure good
contact between Pinkwater and the residual
solids. Pinkwater will strip hydrocarbons from
the solids, putting them into an emulsion. Once
circulation is stopped, the emulsion will
separate out, leaving clean solids on the
bottom, a aqueous layer in the middle and
Estimating Pinkwater Volume – Part 2
If sludge is being washed AFTER skimming free
oil from the frac tank, calculate the volume of
Pinkwater as the amount needed to make AT
LEAST a 0.5% solution in the residual water.
Depending on the specific hydrocarbons, a 1%
solution may be needed.
 If there are 10,000 gallons of water in the
frac tank, add 50 gallons of Pinkwater to
make a 0.5% solution.
If sludge is being washed BEFORE skimming free
oil from the frac tank, calculate the volume of
Pinkwater as AT LEAST 5% of the estimated
hydrocarbons in the frac tank.
 If there are 2,000 gallons of oil in the frac
tank, add 100 gallons of Pinkwater.
Always use the LARGER of the two calculations
above.
Preparing to mix Pinkwater solution

an emulsion layer on top which will contain
about 99% of the hydrocarbons, depending on
the product. This emulsion layer can be
skimmed off and disposed of as a hazardous
waste. The water phase can usually be sent to
an industrial wastewater treatment facility. And
the solids can be tested and often used as
clean fill.
As an alternative, the homogenized mixture of
water, solids and Pinkwater can be sent
through a centrifuge to separate the liquids and
solids followed by a frac tank to separate the
emulsion from the aqueous phase.
GAS SCRUBBING
Pinkwater has been proven effective in gas
scrubbing systems of various designs for
removing hydrocarbon vapors from tanks as
well as refinery and chemical plant process
sewers. The vapor or process gas is passed
through a vertical scrubbing chamber using
Pinkwater solution to “capture and solubilize”
hydrocarbons in the gas. Over time, VOC
monitors will indicate when the Pinkwater
solution has become saturated and a new
charge is required.
Pinkwater can be mixed with many scavenger
products for controlling other gasses such as
hydrogen sulfide. (Always check compatibility
first or call The BioSolve Company.)
OFFSHORE PLATFORM PRESSURE VESSELS
Pinkwater can be used on offshore oil
platforms to decontaminate and degas
pressure vessels prior to inspection. Most
production platforms have several tanks used
to collect and process crude oil prior to moving
the oil back to shore for refining.
After draining and cooling these tanks, a 6%
solution of Pinkwater is prepared using hot
water. This solution is sprayed at 3000 psi into
each tank to suppress vapors and perform
initial cleaning. Once the LELs are lowered,
the tank can be opened and vented.
Final cleaning and desludging is done with the
tank open, again using a 6% Pinkwater
solution and a 3000 psi pressure washing
system. Although the composition and volume
of sludge can vary significantly, sludge is
generally a combination of mostly oil, water
(brine) and sand. Often, sludge may be
removed from tanks and taken to another
location for separation and decontamination of
solids. With the sludge removed and the tank
degassed and vented, each tank can be
inspected, necessary maintenance completed
and the tanks quickly returned to service.
Offshore oil platform
Pacific BioSolve
PO BOX 181 - Cronulla, NSW 2230
M: 0419223608 - E: pbiosolve@aol.com

Tank Cleaning and Degassing
(Tankslessthan50,000gallons)
BioSolve Pinkwater has been proven effective
for surface cleaning as well as for eliminating
VOC vapors and reducing LEL's in tank
cleaning applications. When mixed in the
correct proportions, Pinkwater can clean
(emulsify hydrocarbons) and degas
(encapsulate hydrocarbons) in the tank in a
single application.
Pinkwater can be mixed easily on site to the
recommended concentration using a poly tank
and any available water supply. The dilute
solution can be applied using standard pressure
washing equipment with 2 – 5 gpm and 2000 to
4000 psi to loosen scale and sludge. Pinkwater
requires physical agitation, such as with a
pressure washer, to achieve design cleaning
and degassing performance. For use on
compacted sludge or residual paraffin, a
Pinkwater solution with hot water (up to 190o
F)
will improve performance.
TANK CLEANING PROTOCOL
1. Pump out all fuel, vent tank in an approved
manner and inspect tank for sludge,
sediment and scale. “Stick” tank through
open bung or manway, as necessary to
inspect tank and estimate quantity of
residual hydrocarbons and sludge.
2. Prepare a 3% - 5% solution of Pinkwater,
using one gallon of concentrate for each
2000 gallons of tank capacity. Quantity
and concentration required will vary by
tank conditions. For example, tanks used
for gasoline storage may require a higher
concentration of Pinkwater because of
higher volatility.
3. Tanks with heavy sludge and/or pools of
residual hydrocarbons will require
additional Pinkwater. When solubilizing
sludge, plan to use one gallon of Pinkwater
concentrate per 10 gallons of residual
hydrocarbons. Tank bottom sludge will
typically contain 20% to 50%
hydrocarbons.
4. Pretreatment of tank is recommended
where there is a substantial build-up of
sludge or scale. After power washing
with Pinkwater solution to break up the
sludge, let the solution in the tank stand
for about one hour to penetrate rust,
scale and sediment. Then mix
thoroughly and pump or vacuum
pretreatment effluent from tank prior to
continuing.
5. To clean and reduce LELs, spray tank
walls and bottom with Pinkwater
solution using a power washer starting
• Quick turnaround; cleans and eliminates LELs in
one application
• Low environmental impact; water-based
• Safe, efficient working conditions; no hazardous
chemicals
Cleaning and degassing Underground Storage
Tanks

Cleans and eliminates LELs
in one application
at the top and working down. A wand
extension should be used to place the
wand approximately one foot above
the bottom of the tank for proper
agitation.
6. Take explosion meter readings. If LEL is at
appropriate levels, pump out all remaining
effluent.
7. Take another explosion meter reading
before performing additional work on the
tank.
When available, effluent from tank cleaning may
be processed through an oil/water separator to
recover hydrocarbons. Additional effluent
treatment may be required prior to disposal.
Pinkwater may also be used for pipeline
cleaning and degassing in chemical plants and
refineries. On small diameter lines Pinkwater
solution may be circulated through the line in a
manner that ensures all inner walls of the pipe
(including nozzles and sumps) come in contact
with the solution.
On larger diameter lines, pigging may be
preferred. When pigging, use enough
Pinkwater solution to fully emulsify residual
hydrocarbons pooled in pipeline low spots.
If the tank (or pipeline) has leaked into
surrounding soil, Pinkwater solution can be
used for vapor suppression to reduce the risk of
fire or explosion and to control exposure to
workers.
Pinkwater can also be used to increase
bioavailability of hydrocarbons needed to
support bioremediation. (Please request
Application Information Sheet on
“Bioremediation of Contaminated Soil.”)
Effluent from treatment with Pinkwater can be
treated at a local POTW or wastewater
treatment facility, subject to local regulations.
(Please request Application Information Sheet
on “Effluent Management.”) Unrecoverable
effluent treated with Pinkwater has significantly
less detrimental impact on the environment than
effluent resulting from traditional and untreated
responses.
Always assess the general condition of a tank
before commencing work. Estimate the
quantity of residual fuel or chemicals to be
removed from tank during cleaning and verify
the location of tank sump as this is the most
likely place for residual product and
accumulation of effluent. Before entering a
tank, check the atmosphere with an explosion
meter. Always use appropriate personal
protective equipment.
Cleaning and degassing Railroad Tank Cars

Tank Cleaning, Degassing and Sludge
Reduction
BioSolve Pinkwater has proven over 30 years
to be an effective and efficient tool for use by
tank cleaning contractors to:
• Clean tanks and internal structures
• Degas tanks prior to manned entry
• Solubilize and remove sludge
Pinkwater is known primarily for its
effectiveness in tank degassing, in some cases
reducing the time to degas tanks by over 60%.
However, it is also a superior product for
cleaning vessel interiors and related equipment
and has also been used to solubilize sludge.
Pinkwater is the aqueous alternative to “cutter
stocks” (hydrocarbon solvents) which may be
harmful to the environment and hazardous to
workers.
CLEANING AND DEGASSSING
Pinkwater removes the source of hydrocarbon
vapors while tank surfaces are being cleaned.
When applied under pressure to interior
surfaces, Pinkwater emulsifies hydrocarbons
on contact. Pinkwater’s aggressive surfactant
formulation “grabs” hydrocarbons from hard
surfaces and encapsulates them in an
emulsion, cleaning internal surfaces and
reducing LELs. For tanks used to store light
products, with little or no sludge, a single
application of Pinkwater will often clean and
degas the tank reducing LEL readings to near
zero in preparation for manned entry.
Once the vessel is in a condition to allow for
manned entry, personnel may be deployed
inside the tank to:
• Power wash paraffins and other
contaminants from the walls and interior
structures
• Perform required maintenance
• Inspect tank prior to returning to service
Using Pinkwater may also help control
hydrogen sulfide levels and can be used with
many commercial hydrogen sulfide scavenger
products. However, always test compatibility
before using.
SLUDGE REMOVAL AND RECLAMATION
For use on viscous or compacted sludge, or for
use in tanks with a large accumulation of
sludge (up to a foot or more), a system for
• Quick turnaround; cleans and reduces LELs in
one application
• Safe, efficient working conditions; no hazardous
chemicals
• Promotes recovery of hydrocarbons from
wastewater effluent
Each tank cleaning project has unique
challenges that require careful assessment in
developing a safe, effective approach to cleaning:
• Tank condition and configuration
• Specific product
• Prior cleaning/maintenance cycle
• Residual volume
• Composition and condition of sludge
• Specific maintenance needs
Condensate tank for cleaning and degassing

“BioSolve Pinkwater has cut
our time to prepare a tank for
manned entry by more than
60%”
mixing Pinkwater into the sludge may be
required to create a pumpable effluent. In
some cases mixing Pinkwater with hot water
and/or supplementing a Pinkwater application
with steam may be beneficial.
As conditions allow, hydrocarbon-laden effluent
from the tank may be circulated through an
oil/water separator (or “frac tank”) to capture
emulsified hydrocarbons for disposal. The
residual aqueous phase, Pinkwater solution,
may be recycled after inspecting and adjusting
the solution (e.g., spiking with additional
Pinkwater concentrate) to maintain its
effectiveness. Solids should fall out of solution
during the separation process. Alternatively,
the Pinkwater solution may be batch
processed, repeatedly circulating the solution
through the tank until it is “oil bound,” then
pumping to a frac tank for separation.
On very large cleaning projects, Pinkwater can
be used to recover hydrocarbons from residual
sludge. Hydrocarbon-laden effluent can be
separated in a standard frac tank. The cream-
like hydrocarbon emulsion can be skimmed off
the top and reprocessed while the remaining
aqueous effluent can be treated at a qualified
wastewater facility. This feature may reduce
disposal costs. And any hydrocarbons
recovered may partially offset project costs.
WORKING WITH BIOSOLVE PINKWATER
Pinkwater concentrate is mixed with water to
prepare a 4% - 6% working solution. As a
guideline, plan for 1 gallon of Pinkwater
concentrate for each 10 – 20 gallons of
residual hydrocarbons in the tank. Pinkwater
solution is generally applied using an
automated pressure washing system (such as
a water cannon or rotary impingement
equipment, such as a Gamajet®
) to loosen and
solubilize sludge and to clean tank walls, roof
and internal structures.
Note that for tank cleaning projects utilizing
large volume tanks for mixing and oil-water
separation, the amount of working solution
required for effective operations could be
greater than the estimates noted above. For
example, large tanks may require up to 20,000
gallons of working solution, meaning that 800
gallons of Pinkwater would be needed for a 4%
solution. In such cases, the volume of solution
needed for cleaning/degassing must be
sufficient to maintain circulation through the
cleaning jets and frac tank.
Estimating Pinkwater Volume
Requirements
As an example, a 100 ft. diameter tank with an
average residual sludge depth of 3 in.:
• Volume of sludge (cu. ft.) = area of tank (sq.
ft.) x depth of sludge (ft.)
• Volume of sludge (cu. ft.) = 7,850 x 0.25 =
1,963 cu. ft.
• Assume sludge is 30% hydrocarbons or 1,963
cu. ft. x 0.3 = 590 cu. ft. of hydrocarbons
• Volume of hydrocarbons (gal) = 590 cu. ft. x
7.48 gal/cu. ft. = 4,400 gallons
• BioSolve concentrate required: Approximately
220 – 440 gallons for a working solution of
5,500 to 11,000 gallons at a concentration of
4%
ALWAYS ASSESS THE GENERAL CONDITION
OF THE TANK BEFORE COMMENCING WORK
AND ESTIMATE THE QUANTITY RESIDUAL
PRODUCT TO BE PROCESSED. VERIFY THE
LOCATION OF TANK SUMP AS THIS IS THE
MOST LIKELY LOCATION FOR COLLECTING
EFFLUENT. BEFORE ENTERING ATANK
CHECK ATMOSPHERE WITH AN EXPLOSION
METER. USE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

BioSolve®
InfoSheet
Tank Cleaning and Sludge Reduction
BioSolve Pinkwater® is a proprietary, water-based blend of surfactants and other ingredients
specifically formulated to work as a hydrocarbon mitigation agent. In tank cleaning
applications, Pinkwater is used to1) to help remove sludge and tank bottoms; 2) to clean tanks
and internal structures; and, 3) to degas tanks prior to manned entry. Pinkwater offers three
main benefits: quicker turnaround times, lower environmental impact, and safer, more efficient
working conditions.
The use of Pinkwater allows for the
conversion of residual hydrocarbon
sludge and tank bottoms to an
aqueous phase while simultaneously
reducing VOCs and hydrogen
sulfide. Pinkwater accelerates
cleaning vessel interiors and related
equipment in a safe and
environmentally responsible
manner. Pinkwater is the aqueous
alternative to “cutter stocks”
(hydrocarbon solvents) which may
be harmful to the environment and
hazardous to workers.
Pinkwater also supports recovery of hydrocarbons from tank bottoms, which may reduce
disposal costs and potentially offset some project costs.
Each tank cleaning project has unique challenges depending on tank condition and
configuration; contents; time between cleanings; amount, composition and condition of
sludge; and specific maintenance needs. On projects where tank bottoms represent a
significant amount of recoverable product, a commodity recovery process may be feasible.
After treating and removing the sludge, Pinkwater can be used as a vapor suppression agent to
prepare the tank for manned entry. Pinkwater quickly encapsulates vapors, producing LEL
readings near zero. Once the vessel is in a condition to allow for manned entry, personnel may
be deployed within the tank to power wash paraffins and other contaminants from the walls
and interior structure, using a hot Pinkwater solution, to prepare tank for required maintenance.
Working with BioSolve Pinkwater
Typically, Pinkwater concentrate is mixed with water to prepare a 3% - 6% working solution. As a
guideline, plan for about 1 liter of Pinkwater concentrate for each 10 – 20 liters of residual
hydrocarbons in the tank. Pinkwater solution is generally applied using an automated pressure
washing system (such as a water canon or rotary impingement system such as a Gamajet®) to
loosen and solubilize sludge and to clean tank walls, roof and internal structures.
As conditions allow, Pinkwater solution may be added to tank bottoms and circulated through
an oil/water separator (or “frac tank”) to recover hydrocarbons for reprocessing. The residual
aqueous phase, Pinkwater solution, may be recycled after periodically inspecting and adjusting

The BioSolve Company
329 Massachusetts Avenue • Lexington, Massachusetts 02420 USA
Telephone: +1 (781) 482-7900 • Fax: +1 (781) 482-7909
Email: info@biosolve.com • www.biosolve.com
BioSolve
®
The trusted solution for over 30 years
TBC IS1006Rev0212M
the solution (e.g., spiking with fresh Pinkwater) to maintain its effectiveness. Solids will also fall out
of solution during the separation process. Alternatively, the Pinkwater solution may be batch
processed first circulating Pinkwater solution in the tank until it is “oil bound” and then pumping
to a frac tank for separation.
Estimating Volume Requirements (For illustration only; all values are approximate)
Using a 50 meter diameter tank with an average depth of 5 cm of residual sludge as an
example:
• Volume of sludge (cu. m.) = area of sludge (sq. m.) x depth of sludge (m.)
• Volume of sludge (cu. m.) = 2,000 x 0.05 = 100 cu. m.
• Assume sludge is 20% hydrocarbons or 20 cu. m. (20,000 liters)
• Pinkwater concentrate required (see dilution recommendation above): Approximately
1,000 – 2,000 liters for a working solution of 25,000 to 50,000 liters at a concentration of 4%
Note that on some large tank cleaning projects the amount of working solution required for
effective operations – that is, to maintain circulation of Pinkwater solution through the cleaning
jets and the frac tank – could be greater than the estimates noted above. For example, large
tanks may require up to 80,000 liters of working solution, meaning that 3200 liters of Pinkwater
would be needed for a 4% solution.
Effluent from treatment with Pinkwater can be discharged to a local POTW or wastewater
treatment facility, subject to local regulations.
ALWAYS ASSESS THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE TANK BEFORE COMMENCING WORK AND
ESTIMATE THE QUANTITY RESIDUAL PRODUCT TO BE PROCESSED. VERIFY THE LOCATION OF TANK
SUMP AS THIS IS THE MOST LIKELY LOCATION FOR COLLECTING EFFLUENT. BEFORE ENTERING A
TANK CHECK ATMOSPHERE WITH AN EXPLOSION METER. USE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPME NT.
BioSolve Pinkwater is listed on the US EPA’s NCP Product Schedule. This listing DOES NOT mean that EPA approves,
recommends, licenses, certifies or authorizes the use of BioSolve Pinkwater on any oil discharge. This listing means
only that data has been submitted to EPA as required by Subpart J of the National Contingency Plan, 300.915.
This material is made available for use by professionals or persons having proper technical skills to be used at their
own discretion. The statements made herein are guidelines only and may require modification to site specific
conditions. Nothing contained herein is a warranty or is to be taken as a license to use without proper authority.
Pinkwater should always be used in accordance with all Federal, State and Local rules and regulations.

Selected Project
Experience
Tank and Pipeline Cleaning & Degassing
2011 ‐ 2013

URS

Selected Tank & Pipeline Cleaning Projects (2011 – 2013)
Location Owner Facility Contents Size Contractor Project Type
New Jersey Paulsboro Oil refinery Gasoline 105 ft Allstate PV
Degassing for manned
entry
New Jersey Paulsboro Oil refinery Benzene 72 ft Allstate PV
Clean & degas for
repairs
Canada NuStar Energy Terminal Condensate 150 ft Allstate PV Desludge & degas
Louisiana ExxonMobil Oil refinery Various Various Veolia ES Clean & degas
So. Carolina BP
Petrochemical
plant
p‐xylene 170 ft BP
Decontamination
under tank
New Jersey Paulsboro Oil refinery Light crude 130 ft na Cleaning & degassing
Indiana BP Oil refinery Naphtha 127 ft Veolia ES Cleaning & degassing
Kentucky Marathon Oil refinery
Refined
Products
220 ft Veolia ES Cleaning & degassing
Ohio BP Oil refinery Gasoline 157 ft Venture ES Cleaning
Georgia Georgia Pacific Pulp mill CST & Products 40 ft na Cleaning & degassing
Wyoming Chevron E&P operations Crude 100 ft (Hor) Redi‐Services Desludge & degas
Ohio na Fuel terminal Gasoline na Clean Harbors Degassing
New Jersey Colonial Pipeline Terminal
Natural gas
liquids
22 in.
pipeline
Colonial Pipeline
Clean and
decontaminate line
for removal

Selected Tank & Pipeline Cleaning Projects (continued)
Location Owner Facility Contents Size Contractor Project Type
Maryland Colonial Pipeline Fuel terminal Gasoline 90 ft. Colonial Pipeline
Decontamination
under tank
Alberta na
Oil products
Terminal
Condensate 192 ft. Gibsons
entry
Ohio INEOS
Petrochemical
plant
Acrylonitrile na Graver Tank
entry
New Jersey Hess Refinery Gasoline 180 ft. Hess
entry
Florida BP Terminal Gasoline 120 ft. FHG
Reducing LELs coming
from under tank
Montana ConocoPhillips Oil field Crude Oil 80 ft. ConocoPhillips
Cleaning sludge from
field storage tanks (5)
Michigan ConocoPhillips
Crude oil
processing
Crude Oil 40 ft. ConocoPhillips
Desludge and degas
sour water tank
Canada NuStar Energy Terminal Crude 150 ft Allstate PV Desludge & degas
Kentucky Throntons Retail station Gasoline
6 in pipeline
(annulus)
Thorntons
Clean and degas line
for repairs
Texas BP Refinery Petrochemicals Na
Specialized
Maint Services
Process sewer gas
scrubbing
Aruba Valero Oil refinery Distillates na NEWSCO Degassing

BioSolve®BioSolve®
Makes slop oilMakes slop oil
tank bottoms
pumpablepumpable

BioSolve® was used in
about a 1% solutionabout a 1% solution..

..through a 2500 psi
pressure washer at
110° F

An operator inside the tankAn operator inside the tank
applied the warm water and
BioSolve® solution so that..

..the sludge was
reduced enough..

Equipment Cleaning and Surface Washing
The performance of BioSolve Pinkwater for
cleaning oil, grease and other hydrocarbons
from hard surfaces is unmatched by other
water-based, non-hazardous products on the
market. Pinkwater’s proprietary formula
aggressively “grabs” oil and grease from hard-
to-clean surfaces and holds these contaminants
in the cleaning solution. In most situations,
surfaces are free of oily residue after a single
wash and rinse.
Decontaminating and cleaning with Pinkwater
helps maintain equipment in good working
order, reduces unnecessary exposure to
hazardous materials for workers and
eliminates “slipping hazards” on surfaces.
Furthermore, cleaning with Pinkwater
minimizes regulatory requirements associated
with handling and disposing of the hazardous
solvents found in many other cleaners.
Pinkwater is mixed with water in solutions
ranging from 2% to 6% concentrate,
depending contaminants to be treated. The
solution can be applied with standard pressure
washing systems. When cleaning equipment
or surfaces that are heavily contaminated, hot
water may improve performance.
Independent Test Results
At TURI’s (Toxic Use Reduction Institute) Surface
Cleaning Laboratory, Pinkwater’s effectiveness at
removing oil, lubricant and grease was tested by
immersing contaminated metal strips for 5-minutes in
a stirred beaker filled with a 5% solution of Pinkwater
at room temperature.
Cleaning effectiveness was 100% for oil, 99% for
lubricant and 94% for grease. TURI notes that “higher
temperatures and more agitation could improve the
results.” Additionally, Pinkwater has undergone ASTM
D930 testing on aluminum and was found to have no
detrimental effects (no etching, no pitting, no
accretions) beyond that of hot water
 Aggressively tackles the most challenging
cleanups with outstanding results
 Leaves no oily residue on equipment, roadways,
loading docks or factory floors
 Easy to mix and apply with any standard
pressure washer
 Safe for workers and the environment
Diesel generator after cleaning with BioSolve Pinkwater
Diesel generator before cleaning

The loading dock was caked
with hydraulic oil and had a
grotesque odor. Pinkwater
worked brilliantly. When
those guys were finished, it
literally smelled clean.”
APPLICATION PROTOCOL
1. For all applications, assess site conditions
and determine where effluent will be
collected. Consult local rules and
regulations and obtain appropriate permits
before flushing effluent into sewers,
culverts or collection basins.
2. For equipment cleaning: Prepare
equipment for power washing; protect
areas that may be affected by water.
For surface cleaning: Examine surface
integrity; take appropriate precautions if
using on surfaces that may be adversely
impacted by pressure washing.
3. Prepare a Pinkwater working solution by
mixing concentrate with water in a poly
tank or other suitable container to the
desired concentration – usually 2% to 6%.
For example, one 5-gallon pail added to 95
gallons of water will make a 5% working
solution.
If a poly tank is unavailable, use an eductor
or other in-line mixing system to produce
the desired concentration of Pinkwater at
the dispensing nozzle.
4. Apply BioSolve solution with a standard
commercial pressure washer at the rate of
2 - 5 gpm and 2000 to 5000 psi depending
on the severity of the contamination, the
area to be cleaned and the condition of the
surfaces being washed.
For heavily contaminated surfaces, a
hot water system may improve
performance
For horizontal surfaces, a power washer
cowl is recommended to reduce
“splattering” effluent
For unsealed, porous horizontal
surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt,
pretreating the contaminated area in
advance of power washing may improve
performance. Prior to pressure washing,
apply Pinkwater solution directly to the
contaminated areas and let stand up to
one hour or until absorbed into the surface.
5. After cleaning with Pinkwater, rinse with
clear water and let dry; repeat as required.
BioSolve Pinkwater is sold as a
concentrate and must be diluted before
use. Pinkwater contains a food-grade red
fluorescent dye that allows detection
during application. BioSolve Clear is
available for applications that may be
sensitive to the dye.
Surface cleaning with BioSolve Pinkwater following a
tanker spill
When cleaning porous materials, “bleeding”
may occur as contaminants continue to
migrate to the surface; this may require
additional treatments over a period of
several months.

Tank Cleaning with BioSolve

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