Air Hoists Give Tank Cleaning a Lift

More and more companies are turning to air-operated hoists for effective ways to clean storage tanks, manufacturer J D Neuhaus (JDN) reports. These lifting devices, which offer precise load placement control through hand pendants, are deployed in a variety of transport tank cleaning applications, including road and rail transit tankers and marine transporters

 

Typically, injector heads with nozzles are used to clean inside these inherently dirty vessels by dispensing hot/cold water or steam at high pressures. If required, solvents are sometimes included in the cleaning solution. JDN hoists lift, support and accurately position the injector heads to ensure a thorough clean. For ease of traversing, overhead rail trolleys are mounted to the hoists, to ensure the entire internal area of the tank is efficiently washed and cleaned.

 

According to JDN, another reason its air hoists are being used is because the compressed air power used for all operations is intrinsically safe. In fact, JDN air-operated hoists are Ex-rated, which makes them suitable for deployment wherever highly volatile liquids or chemicals are transported or stored. JDN equipment also incorporates increased spark protection for use in hazardous areas that are in potentially combustible or explosive atmospheres.

 

For heavy duty applications, JDN Profi TI series hoists are quicker and more energy efficient than ever before. Available with different controls to suit specific customer requirements, Profi TI hoists operate at an air pressure of 4-6 bar and are suitable for loads from 550lbs to 100 metric tons. Variable speed control is supplemented by features that make Profi TI hoists suitable for tank cleaning duties, such as explosion protection, fail-safe starting conditions, easy operation, low headroom, sound absorption and insensitivity to dust, humidity and temperatures from -20°C to +70°C, the manufacturer said. Furthermore, upkeep costs are alleviated thanks to design factors like the low maintenance vane motor and dust-proof, maintenance-free ball bearings. The hoists are also suitable for lube-free operation. The standard safety rating for these products is EX II 2 GD IIA T4 / EX II 3 GD IIB T4. Increased spark protection is also available to achieve EX II 2 GD IIC T4 accreditation.

 

For lighter duty applications the JDN Mini represents a handy, flexible and universally deployable series of hoists. Functioning at 6 bar air pressure, the Mini series can carry loads up to 2,160lbs. Available with lifting heights of 3, 5 and 8 meters, Mini hoists are lightweight for easy handling and feature sensitive lever control (with emergency shut-off valve) so that injector heads can be positioned with precision inside the tank during cleaning. The hoists offer much of the functionality of the larger Profi series, such as explosion protection, easy maintenance and suitability for lube-free operation. The standard safety rating for the Mini products is EX II 3 GD IIA T4.