Q: How do I clean discolored MarineLINE^® tanks?

 

Answer:

It is known that certain cargoes can contribute to the discolorations of all organic coating/paint films, but the mechanism is largely unknown. APC has spoken to many people in the industry over the years, and the consensus is that discoloration is related to the pigment, which would explain why it is not reversible. In other words, once the coating/paint has discolored, there is nothing that the vessel or its crew can do to remove it.

 

It’s possible that MarineLINE^® can undergo surface discoloration upon carriage of certain cargoes. The discoloration is limited to the surface of the coating and does not impact the performance and chemical resistance of the coating. The discoloration is not reversible and should not be attempted to be removed with the use of chemical cleaners/cargo tank cleaning additives.

 

• Please refer to the IBC Code for Load/Discharge Temp and for Carriage/Transit Temperature.
• If the cargo(es) will be heated for viscosity reduction purposes, temperatures should be minimized to that only required for effective viscosity reduction.
• Some coating discoloration is possible due to the liquid cargo’s color, dye additive(s) and/or impurities.
• Any discoloration remaining following the standard tank cleaning procedure for the cargo does not affect the coating’s performance and should be considered as an aesthetic/cosmetic effect only.
• APC strongly advises against any additional tank cleaning to try and remove any discoloration, as overcleaning will more than likely damage the surface of the coating film.
• Keeping the cargo at a lower temperature during voyages could possibly reduce any discoloration of the coating from the cargo.
• Any increase in temperature could lead to an increased degree of discoloration of the coating surface.

 

 

Q: How do we repair MarineLINE^® tanks whilst in service?

 

Answer:

For MarineLINE^® tanks, we have a dedicated repair kit called MarineMEND that enables small touch-up repairs on tanks whilst in service.

Here's a video showcasing the application of our MarineMEND Repair Kits:

 

A downloadable link to the MarineMEND Repair Kit video is here. To download, proceed to the newly opened window, click on the three ellipses to the right side of the video content, and click 'download'. 

Additional MarineMEND downloadable resources:

• MarineMEND Brochure
• MarineMEND Application Procedure
• Spot Repair Procedure

To order MarineMEND, email: Marinemend@adv-polymer.com

 

Q: When carrying cargoes that may have FFA and/or M&I in them, does MarineLINE^® have any restrictions?

 

Answer:

The following restrictions should be followed when carrying cargoes with FFA and/or M&I content:

• Maximum Free Fatty Acids (FFA) Content – No restrictions, up to 100%.
• Maximum Acceptable Moisture and Impurities / Insoluble (M&I) Content – No restrictions on water content or insoluble impurities.
• Maximum Mineral Acid Content – No free mineral acid content is permitted.