Oil & Gas
Building & Facility Management
Manufacturing
Ditching the Bucket and Brush: How this Customer Efficiently Removed Powdered Cement and Eliminated Road Hazards
At a glance
This transportation company needed a more effective method to remove hardened powdered cement from trucks after loading. The cement presented a safety hazard as it could be dislodged during transport. By switching to React 215 and using a foamer, the deposits were quickly removed and hazard eliminated.
Key metrics
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
SOLUTION QUICKLY IMPLEMENTED
REDUCED
LABOUR BY ELIMINATING BUCKET & BRUSH CLEANING
ELIMINATED
SAFETY HAZARDS
Why hardened cement on a bulk tanker is a road hazard
Dry bulk tankers load powdered cement from the top. Some powder always spills onto the tank and fittings. When it gets wet, it sets hard.
Those hardened pieces are more than a cleanliness problem. At highway speed, they can break loose and strike vehicles behind the truck. Removing them by hand with a bucket and brush is slow, tiring work, and results are mixed.
This transportation company needed a faster, more reliable way to clear hardened cement from its trucks after loading, and to remove the risk of debris coming off on the road.
Challenges
When exposed to moisture, cement powder overflow hardened on top of dry bulk tankers. While unsightly, it also created a significant safety hazard as hardened pieces could fly off during transportation. Prior to implementing Guardian’s solution, a cleaner was applied with a bucket and brush to remove the hardened cement with mixed results.
Solutions
Facing a pressing need to address the hardened cement issue, this transportation company turned to Guardian Chemicals. React 215 was quickly identified as the optimal solution and a foamer installed to move away from the labour-intensive bucket and brush technique. By foaming React 215 and rinsing with a pressure washer—immediate, visible improvements were made in truck cleanliness, appearance and safety.
Results
Immediate Impact
Product delivered within an hour of identifying solution and two-trucks quickly cleaned proving effectiveness of solution.
Reduced Labour
New solution used a foamer and pressure washer replacing the labour intensive bucket and brush cleaning method.
Eliminated Safety Hazards
Eliminated potential for hazards from dislodged hardened cement during transport.
Frequently asked questions
What is React 215?
A concentrated low pH cleaner based on the organic salt of a mineral acid. It is similar in strength to hydrochloric acid, with much lower fumes.
How is it applied?
Through a foamer, then rinsed with a pressure washer. This replaced the bucket and brush method.
How quickly did the change happen?
Product was delivered within an hour of identifying the solution, and two trucks were cleaned right away.
What was the safety outcome?
Hardened cement was removed from the trucks, eliminating the risk of pieces coming loose during transport.