WALL WASH PTT WITHOUT TEARS , CHEMICAL TANKERS- CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

WALL WASH PTT WITHOUT TEARS , CHEMICAL TANKERS-  CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

This post must be read in conjunction with my post POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE ON CHEMICAL TANKERS dated 9th Dec 2010.

A hardcore chemical man will NOT surrender all his secrets to all and sundry. So when I wrote the CHEMICAL TANKER HANDBOOK for my company, I told the MD, that I will just be writing 40% of what I know.

Seeing his crestfallen face , I told him-- be grateful that you get the 40%.  The rest 60% is only for people who sail with me , and those who are worth it.

I just got off a ship at a middle east country. We had to load methanol with wall wash test specs of --

Hydrocarbons/ NIL

Chlorides/ < 2 ppm

PTT test/ > 60minutes

Colour/ clear

Now, I have never ever failed a tank inspection or WWT or first foot in my life.

This loading was mission impossible , as the previous 5 cargoes were insoluble in water , heavy HC cargoes as follows—I just took it as a personal challenge.

Last- Bright stock base lub oils and SN600 lubes

2nd last-Palmoil derivatives like high MP Stearic acid, Fatty acids, Methyl esters

3^rd last –Xylene
4^th last – Palm oil fatty acids

5^th last- Annex 1 Diesel oils with Low Sulphur lub additives

I was NOT too bothered when the shore lab failed 5 of my tanks for first foot PTT.   21 tanks passed.

I called the lab boss into the CCR . I gave them a chance -- take fresh samples ( without loading a Texas/ Patiala foot ) and do it again.

I gave away one of my ( balance 60% ) secrets—

listen lab buddies , I have recirculated a strong oxidizer cold dilute Nitric acid in all my stainless steel tanks.  I could have done it with Sodium Hypochlorite too, for I have 600 litres of it on board.

But you naive guys will fail my chloride test , though there will be NIL chlorides in the tanks, and you will read the free iron set of by hypochlorite as hydrocarbons.

The laws of pure chemistry are failing here.  Dont any of you guys know any fuc#ing chemistry to save your own dang jobs? I  suggest you use fresh glassware , prepare a fresh PTT solution and retest.

So they got frightened , tripped over their heels , ran back with their tails between their legs , and did it again -- and this time around they failed just 3 tanks.  Warning--never dare to speak this way to the shore lab, unless you are good enough.

My Peruvian Chief officer came to my cabin crestfallen.

I asked him " XXX, do I look worried to you ?"

So then I called in the P&I club ( UK based ) and did my own test with the P&I expert as the witness.

To cut a long story short-- finally the shore lab passed all 26 tanks. The shore lab was disgraced.

This lab will be vetted soon, heads will roll.

The mistake they made was by using contaminated glass ware.

Their ignorance was they were comparing the ship's methanol wash nessler tubes against a prepared START standard solution with LAB Mathanol . They should have been comparing it with with the END standard solution of Platinum Cobalt or Uranyl Nitrate which is STRAW YELLOW is colour.

Here is some blow by blow correspondence. It will be a thriller for a Chemical tanker man.

Warning : Young masters suggest you,don’t use my hardcore email style and get sliced by a blade and bled to slow death  by your squeamish owners , managers and charterers . They prefer humble worms on the master’s chair, NOT proud roaring lions.

_____________________________________________
From: XXX [mailto:master.XXX@gtships.com]
Sent: 19 April 2012 XX
To: XX
Cc: XXX
Subject: URGENT-- XX/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XXX

dear XX,

the PTT test for 3 nos tanks ( 4s and 11 wings ) out of 14 tanks ( methanol first foot ) has failed.

as you know I recirculated nitric acid just to take care of this— given by you a week ago at jebel ali..

PTT test looks for reducing matter— super strong oxidizing acid nitric acid—just neutralizes this. 

PTT test cant find any reducing matter after nitric acid recirc and flushing. 

this is pure chemistry.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FAIL.  

3 TANKS FAILED  OUT OF 14 , WITH SAME SHIPBOARD PROCEDURES.

the shore lab technicians have made a bad mistake .  probably they are NOT trained properly.

ship cannot be penalized for this .

the mistake should be one of the two :--

1) preparing a PTT test KmO4 solution. it takes 90 minutes to make this solution.  0.1 grams mixed in 500 cc DI water.  keep in in dark place at 15 deg C.

2) not washing the glass ware with CONCENTRATED Hydrochloric acid of some previous reduced manganese di oxide clingage on some other ship.

the failed time is 36 minutes – in my opinion it should run for at least 90 minutes— at least 30 minutes more than the passing time.  such is the nature of strong oxidiser nitric acid.   the PTT test is rendered impotent here.  this is a secret not known to any—even you—till I told you to justify my demand for nitric acid.

ship will call for P&I club surveyor.  XXX P&I club, pl attend asap at berth AA2 XXX

meanwhile we will load in balance tanks.

I want sealed samples taken by P&I club surveyor to be tested in TWO independent laboratories—one in XXX and other in any other standard lab in any other country.

the failed tanks have methanol inside as follows:

4s/ 35 cum

11p/ 21 cum

11s/ 26 cum.

thanks and best regards
capt. ajit vadakayil
master
mt XXX ( imo no - XXX )

From: XX [mailto:XX@gtships.com]
Sent: 19 April 2012 XXX
To: XXX
Cc: XXX
Subject: FW: URGENT-- FAIRCHEM YUKA/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XX--2

dear XX,

here is my plan to resolve this vexing situation.

TRANSFER  4S ( 35 CUM ) AND 11 P ( 21 CUM ) INTERNALLY INTO 11 STBD TANK. 

11 STBD IS A SMALL TANK—THIS WILL NOW CONTAIN 82 CUM OF REJECTED METHANOL FIRST FOOT STRIPPINGS..

THEN WE LOAD XXX METHANOL IN ALL TANKS – EXCEPT 11S.

meanwhile the XXX lab can do a THIRD PTT test by preparing a KmNO4 solution the right way and taking new glass ware or washing the old glassware with conc hydrochloric acid—rinsing with DI water and methanol.  this is their choice.

P&I club surveyor to draw 2 sets samples  from 11 stbd tank and XXX to DHL it to some other lab – maybe in Spore and Rotterdam. we will fight this out.

 File: STOWAGE PLAN METHANOL V8 XX .xls;

thanks and best regards

capt. ajit vadakayil
master
mt fXXXX

From: XXX [mailto:master.XXX@gtships.com]
Sent: 19 April 2012 XXX
To: XX
Cc: XXXX
Subject: RE: URGENT--/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XX--3

dear XX,

here is the new stowage plan.    we need to start loading.

11 stbd contains rejected methanol.

 File: STOWAGE PLAN METHANOL FAILED FF V8 XX .xls;

thanks and best regards

capt. ajit vadakayil

master

mt XXX 

_____________________________________________
From: XXX]
Sent: 19 April 2012 XXX
To: XXX
Cc: XXXX
Subject: RE: URGENT-- XXX/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XXX--4

dear XXX,

here are pictures of the first foot sample drawn out of failed tanks 4s and 11 wings— by XXX lab surveyors.

the failed contents look like distilled water.  

-- no particulate sediments, no colour ( APHA zero ), no colloidal suspended matter – but failed PTT .

PTT test ( as per pure chemistry ) cannot locate hydrocarbons, chlorides, suspended matter, NVM, turbidity, UV contaminants, pH, COD etc. 

the REDUCING contaminant needs to react chemically with KmNO4.    

contaminated lab glassware needs to be immersed overnight in a hydrochloric acid bath .  

  File: 11s.JPG >>  << File: 4s.JPG >>  << File: 11p.JPG >>

thanks and best regards

capt. ajit vadakayil

master

mt xxx 

From: XX
Sent: 19 April 2012 XX
To: XXX
Cc: 'XXX
Subject: RE: URGENT-- FAIRCHEM YUKA/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XX-- 5

gentlemen,

the PTT test of sample personally drawn by P&I club surveyor XXX will be done now.

XX has vast experience in doing PTT test at his XXX lab.

PTT test is more applicable on wall wash tests when reducing matter is chased down at the leading edge of the methanol wash down the bulkhead into a funnel—and you can see it in the sample bottle in the form of dyes, cutters , fillers , inhibitors , high BP reducing contaminants etc..

let this PTT test ON BOARD IN THE PRESENCE OF P&I be proof that shore labs cannot hold ships to ransom , whether it is by ignorance, or by deliberate cheating.

lab technicians should be trained and they should be able to recognise the straw yellow color of managanese di oxide to which potassium permanganate is reduced/ oxidized  to--   or for the matter the color of uranyl nitrate.

lab technicians employed by XX lab must have some minimum PURE chemistry foundation.

AM I BEING COCKY,  BY SPEAKING LIKE AN ORACLE ?  

NO- -I SHALL STAND VINDICATED— I WILL SHOW A BLOW BY BLOW ACCOUNT BY PICTURES.

SO SAYS A MASTER OF 30 YEARS COMMAND EXPERIENCE, AND THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE CHEMICAL HANDBOOK OF MY COMPANY.

thanks and best regards
capt. ajit vadakayil
master
mt XXX

_____________________________________________
From: XX
Sent: 19 April 2012 XXX

To:XXX
Cc: XXXX

Subject: RE: URGENT-- FAIRCHEM YUKA/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XXX-- 6

PICTURES SPEAK BETTER THAN WORDS!

 File: purple pink at 60 MINUTES.JPG >> 

File: 45 MINUTES.JPG >> 

File: 50 MINUTES.JPG >> 

File: 55 MINUTES.JPG >> 

File: 65 MINUTES.JPG >> 

File: 70 MINUTES.JPG >> 

File: PTT TEST terminated at 80 min with P&I club surveyor XXXholding the placard.JPG >>

THE PERSON HOLDING THE PLACARD OF 80 MINUTES IS THE XXX P&I CLUB SURVEYOR MR.XXX.   

HE DID THE TEST HIMSELF AFTER DRAWING THE SAMPLES FROM 11 STBD HIMSELF. 

HE DECIDED NOT TO WASTE HIS TIME AFTER 80 MINUTES.

thanks and best regards

capt. ajit vadakayil
master
mt XXX

_____________________________________________
From: XXX
Sent: 19 April 2012 XXX
To: XXX
Cc: XX
Subject: RE: URGENT-- FAIRCHEM YUKA/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XXX-- epilogue

agents XXX,

the P&I club surveyor recommends that the terminal should be invited to draw a fresh sample from 11stbd and do a FRESH PTT test--  by using new KmNO4 solutions and clean glassware..  

he is waiting on board for this to happen so that he can witness it.   his own PTT test on 11 stbd has passed.

tanks 4s and 11p have passed the FRESH first foot PTT test.   these tanks will now be loaded with methanol.

IF 11S FRESH PTT TEST IS NOT DONE —THE COSTS OF UNDERLOADING WILL NOT BE ON SHIP’S ACCOUNT.

thanks and best regards

capt. ajit vadakayil
master

mt XXX

From: XXX
Sent: 19 April 2012 XX
To: XXX
Cc: XXXX
Subject: RE: URGENT-- FAIRCHEM YUKA/ FAILURE OF SHORE LAB PTT TEST FOR 3 NOS TANKS AT XXX-- epilogue-2

GENTLEMEN,

11 STBD IS NOW PASSED, BY XXX LAB .  AND WE CAN LOAD METHANOL.

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL!

thanks and best regards

capt. ajit vadakayil

master

mt XXX

I HAD TO FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO SECURE NITRIC ACID FROM MY CHARTERERS IN USA.   ONLY THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE, RIGHT?

From: XX
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 XX
To: XXX

Cc: XXX
Subject: RE: XXXX/ V8/ METHANOL LOADING-- NO PASSIVATION INVOLVED WITH NITRIC ACID.

dear XX,

ok— all at XXX USA  --first open the doors of your mind – 

forget past practice set up by “grease and tackle “ guys  who cannot write , leave alone balance , a simple chemical equation— yet behave as if they  are the SHAKESPEARES of chemistry.

ready to be erudite?

here are the WWT specs you gave me for methanol -- Spec Clor 1 ppm,  60m ptt,  NIL HC. 

our last 5 cargoes are insoluble in water with VERY high hydrocarbons.   leaving tanks washed to water white standard has left plenty of NVM ( non volatile matter ) on bulkheads and corrugations.  for our tanks have onlty two fixed machines at very high level, leaving plenty of blind and shadow sectors.

last 5 --  heavy viscous lubes—palm oil derivatives—xylene—palm oil derivatives—low sulphur diesel/ jet fuel

the previous cargo mineral lub oils are dyed and has additives.

at XXX with squeamish lab technicians, who test HC with 1:1 ratio of methanol and distilled water—passing HC test for NIL result is a task.  it is either pass or fail. methanol is very sensitive to heavy lub oils as last cargo.

now passing chloride test for 1ppm –is NO a problem unless you use CHLORINATED shore fresh water to rinse / steam.   or use sodium hypochlorite ( which is a regular in FCC tankcleaning chemical goodies along with causic soda ) to bleach out dyes and remove odour. 

on my stainless steel ships I do NOT allow sodium hypochlorite, which rusts SS and denudes the chromic oxide layer. when the passive angstrom thin chromic oxide layer is denuded FREE IRON is produced which show up as HC in a wall wash test, whether HC are determined by lab regents , or by mass spectrometer.  SS ships with 2mm thick clad steel of SUS316L do NOT carry sodium hypochlorite as cargo.  to handle this chemical you need SUS316LN or SUS317L.

THE BIGGEST HURDLE IS THE 60 MINUTE PTT TEST—WHICH WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IF DYED LUBES ARE THE LAST CARGO WITH VERY HIGH BP.   at the most we can get 30 minutes, before the color of solution changes from purple pink to straw yellow..

KmNO4 ( potassium permanganate ) does NOT care for hydrocarbons or chlorides. It hunts for REDUCING matter—like dye used in lubes and additives/ sediments  which have high BP and remain as NVM.

this is where OXIDISING chemical NITRIC ACID comes in as a tankcleaning chemical.  

if reducer is yin, an oxidiser is yang—the pole opposite which consumes it.

after a rinse with dilute nitric acid— KmNO4 has NIL reducing matter to hunt for.  and if the shore lab plays dirty with PTT test , we know where to kick them hard.  most of the time it is ignorance – as the potlife of KmNO4 solution is very little.

RUST REMOVER which you dole out in plenty can remove the white sediments self inflicted by caustic soda— but it is no nitric acid.  nitric acid dissolves free iron ( NVM ) better.

the nice silver spoon shine of tank bulkheads by using phosphoric acid rust remover means NOTHING.  the passive chromic acid angstrom thin layer is INVISIBLE.  healthy austenetic stainless steel does NOT shine—rather it has a dull grey appearance—surprised?.

most importantly nitric acid decomposes sodium salts which form precipitate with AgNO3 ( silver nitrate ) and interferes with the lab tests.

BOTTOM LINE:  “OXIDISING” NITRIC ACID IS USED AS AN INSTRUMENT TO PASS WALL WASH,  AND TO MAKE THE ROGUES WHO PLAY AROUND WITH THE “REDUCER HUNTING PTT TEST” IMPOTENT.

-- as an added incentive it puts a tiny metal flap on all tiny pitting holes, which can be quite huge under the surface.  and of course we all know that it makes the tank smooth by building up the chromic passive layer.   

thanks and best regards

capt. ajit vadakayil

master

mt XXXX

The tank wall washed methanol is inside the middle tube--refer to the pciture above.

Initially at ZERO time it will be of same purple pink colour of the left side tube, which contains pure  methanol.

Left and middle tubes contain 50 cc methanol plus 2 cc KmNO4 solution (0.02%)

The tube at the right contains the straw yellow standard color solution—which is platinum cobalt / Uranyl nitrate .

When the middle tubechanges its color from left hand tube colour ( START POINT )  to to the right hand tube color ( STOP POINT ) —the time is noted.

It is so simple.  You are just comparing. You cant make a mistake.

The background must be white and preferably the room must have white flourescent light.

Our PTT test should have run for more than 120 minutes.  Just 60 min is pass.

CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL ( 29 YEARS IN COMMAND )
..