Pump Cofferdam
The pump’s cofferdam should be checked during the cleaning operation to avoid potential contaminations of the next cargo through a leaking pump seal. Cargo or hydraulic oil could enter the pump cofferdam due to a leaking seal. If this leak is not detected and the next cargo is loaded this could cause contamination of the cargo although the tank and all other equipment has been cleaned perfectly.
Purging the cofferdam and checking the exhaust trap, as shown in the drawing below, will detect both a potential oil or a potential cargo leak into the cofferdam. For cargoes that could cause a reaction with the next cargo a purge with fresh water is recommended.
For Chief Mates and crew, it is important to use the correct PPE while purging the cofferdams and to keep a correct history of the results. Therefore, it is now possible to use the FRAMO purging routine log from the database.
A full description of how to use the log is inserted in the EXCEL sheet itself.
Miracle as well has a FRAMO operating manual for direct checks how pumps should be operated and maintained. This is especially helpful for young and inexperienced officers.
The following illustration shows the internal parts of a FRAMO pump.
© FRAMO