How pressure washing can help with oil field cleaning

Challenges of oil field cleaning

Harsh environmental conditions and complex contaminants

The wide variety of oil field pollutants and harsh operating conditions not only affect mechanical performance but also pose safety hazards to workers and the environment. The following pollutants are commonly generated:

• Petroleum hydrocarbons: Crude oil, heavy grease, and various petroleum derivatives that create stubborn, adhesive residues
• Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM): Radioactive scale and sludge
• Inorganic materials: Salt deposits, drilling mud, sand, and mineral scale
• Metal contaminants: Rust, metal shavings, and wear particles from equipment
• Chemical compounds: Production chemicals, drilling fluids, and treatment additives
• Toxic substances: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous materials

Key reasons for oil field cleaning

Limitations of traditional cleaning methods

1. Accessibility issues: Traditional methods have difficulty reaching areas with complex equipment geometries, have limited effectiveness in confined spaces and complex mechanical parts, and have difficulty accessing overhead or remote equipment components.
2. Performance limitations: Manual cleaning methods lack the impact required to remove stubborn contaminants, and chemical cleaning agents alone may not accelerate the decomposition of persistent hydrocarbon deposits, a process that often results in extended equipment downtime.
3. Safety and environmental issues: Chemical cleaning agents may pose additional environmental risks, manual cleaning exposes workers to hazardous substances, and traditional methods typically generate more waste and wastewater that need to be disposed of.

Above, if you need to know more, please check out “Pressure washing vs. traditional cleaning methods“.

The hidden dangers of incomplete cleaning

1. Equipment impact: Increased wear and corrosion of key parts of the equipment, reduced operating efficiency and equipment performance, and ultimately shortened equipment life, failures, and increased maintenance costs.
2. Environmental impact: Leaching pollutants lead to soil and groundwater contamination, volatile compounds lead to deterioration of air quality, and non-compliance with environmental regulations may result in huge fines and remediation costs.
3. Safety hazards: Hydrocarbon accumulation leads to an increased risk of fire and explosion, and oil-contaminated surfaces cause slip and fall hazards. There is also a risk of personnel exposure to chemicals, and emergency response efficiency will also be impaired.

How pressure washing meets oil field cleaning challenges

How pressure washing works and what it does

Water is propelled through a high-pressure pump system, generating a high-pressure water flow in the pressure washer, which is concentrated and directed through a special nozzle when the water flows out. Its pressure level can be adjusted from 1,500 to 5,000+ PSI according to different applications, and it can usually reach a flow rate of 3 to 8 gallons per minute.

The kinetic energy generated by pressure washing breaks the molecular bonds between contaminants and surfaces, and the high-pressure impact can remove stubborn deposits. The use of a concentrated spray pattern provides precise cleaning control, and when pressure washing combines mechanical and chemical actions, it can also enhance the cleaning effect.

Targeted selection of pressure washers

Hot water pressure washer: Operating at temperatures up to 200°F, it is ideal for breaking down heavy oils and greases and dissolving paraffin deposits. Hot water pressure washers also reduce cleaning time and chemical usage and disinfect equipment surfaces.

Cold water pressure washer: This is a more economical cleaning device for general equipment cleaning. Mainly used for removing dirt and debris, heat sensitive areas.

Specialized accessories for oil field pressure washing

• Pressure washer nozzles (0° pencil nozzle, 15° fan nozzle, 25° universal nozzle, 40° wide nozzle, rotary turbine nozzle, adjustable pressure nozzle.)
• Pressure washer telescoping wand
• Pressure surface cleaner
• Pressure washer hose reel

Main advantages of oil field pressure washing

Fast and effective cleaning

The powerful water jets of pressure washing produce immediate results, significantly reducing hours of cleaning time compared to manual methods.

Under the action of the nozzle, the pressure washer provides adjustable pressure levels and is able to quickly and efficiently cover large surfaces, saving up to 70% of water over traditional cleaning methods. Hard-to-reach corners can also be cleaned.

Equipment performance enhancement

Using pressure washing to remove contaminants is very thorough, and it cleans equipment to near original operating conditions, including improving heat transfer efficiency in heat exchangers and optimizing fluid flow in pipelines and process equipment.

Maintain protective coatings and surfaces by thoroughly removing corrosive materials and scale buildup, extending equipment life.

Safety and compliance

Oil leaks or grease accumulation can cause accidents or health hazards, and pressure washing is the most effective solution. High-pressure water can quickly break up and flush away the oil, allowing the scene to be promptly handled and controlled.

Regularly cleaning grease accumulation, removing flammable residues, and cleaning safety signs, indicators, and workspaces through pressure washing can prevent accidents.

This cleaning behavior also indirectly removes harmful chemical residues and airborne particles, improves the overall hygiene of the workplace, and allows oil field work areas to meet environmental regulations.

Cost-effectiveness

Pressure washing is an inexpensive cleaning method, especially compared to other cleaning technologies.

Low maintenance cost: BISON pressure washers are easy to maintain and maintenance accessories are inexpensive. They can be used for a long time without catastrophic equipment failure.

Operational savings: simplify personnel expenses and optimize water consumption and chemical needs.

Applications of pressure washing in oil field operations