OIL SPILL CLEANUP & TURBINE UNDERCROFT CLEANING
WhiteTower Energy - Brimingham, West Midlands, B24
Client's Challenge
White Tower Energy experienced an oil leak beneath turbine equipment, resulting in significant oil contamination within under-turbine floor areas, pits and sump zones.
As a result of the leak, the turbines were shut down to allow investigation and repair. However, oil contamination beneath the turbines prevented engineers from clearly identifying the source of the leak and created unsafe, slippery conditions within confined undercroft areas.
The objective of the works was not repair, but to:
• Fully remove oil contamination beneath the turbines
• Restore safe access within under-turbine and pit areas
• Provide a clean, inspection-ready environment
• Allow engineers to accurately locate and repair the oil leak
The client required a controlled, methodical oil clean-up programme that
removed all oil deposits without spreading contamination or compromising the investigation process.
Assessment & Planning
APT ICC carried out a detailed assessment of the turbine undercroft
areas during shutdown to confirm:
• The extent of oil contamination beneath the turbines
• Accumulation within pits, sumps and low-level containment areas
• Safe access requirements within confined under-turbine spaces
• Suitable oil recovery methods to avoid redistribution of contamination
• Cleaning sequencing to support clear inspection once surfaces were clean
Planning focused on complete oil removal, progressing systematically so the leak source could be identified immediately following cleaning.
Methodology
The clean-up was delivered using a controlled, inspection-led approach:
1. Stabilisation of contaminated areas
Oil-contaminated under-turbine zones were secured to prevent further spread.
2. Oil recovery from pits and sump areas
Electric suction pumps were used to remove pooled oil from pits and low points beneath the turbines.
3. Degreasing of under-turbine floors
Industrial degreasers were applied to break down oil deposits on floors and surrounding surfaces.
4. Manual and mechanical agitation
Embedded oil contamination was loosened and lifted without spreading residue into clean zones.
5. Progressive clean-down beneath turbines
Cleaning progressed area by area until all oil deposits were removed and surfaces were visibly clean.
Final inspection-ready finish
All treated areas were left clean, dry and suitable for engineers to identify the oil leak source and carry out repairs.
Site Access & Logistics
Equipment
•Electric suction pumps for oil recovery and sump emptying
• Manual cleaning tools for confined under-turbine areas
Chemicals
• UltraMax 2020 – heavy-duty industrial degreaser used to remove oil and grease
contamination
All products selected for safe use in confined industrial turbine environments.
The Results
• All oil contamination removed from beneath the turbines
• Pit and sump areas cleaned and cleared of oil deposits
• Slip hazards eliminated in under-turbine work zones
• Clean, inspection-ready environment established
• Engineers able to clearly identify the oil leak source
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