Test Methods

Charterers and receivers are using analytical instrumentation able to identify ppm and ppb levels of contamination in shipped cargoes.

Analytical testing of tank cleanliness is very difficult, because it is difficult to obtain a representative sample from the tank surface. Usually the sample is generated by the so-called wall wash test. This involves spraying of a highly active solvent (Methanol) against a limited segment of the tank surface just cleaned. The liquid is collected and can be analyzed with different methods.
Details about how the wall wash test should be carried out can be found here.