EXTREME CLEANING, TANK CLEANING & MACHINERY CLEANING

Permali - Gloucester, GL1

Client's Challenge

Permali experienced an urgent operational failure involving two water jet cutting tanks that had become heavily contaminated with compacted garnet sediment.

The build-up was causing blockages within the system, restricting coolant circulation and preventing the machinery from operating correctly. This presented an immediate risk to production continuity and increased the likelihood of extended downtime if not resolved quickly.

The client required a rapid-response specialist contractor capable of removing a significant volume of heavy sediment safely, restoring system flow and returning the machinery to service with minimal disruption to manufacturing schedules.

Assessment & Planning  

Upon receipt of the emergency request, APT ICC prioritised rapid mobilisation and attended site to carry out an immediate assessment.

The assessment focused on:

• The volume, density and compaction level of garnet sediment
• The impact of the blockage on coolant flow and machine performance
• Safe working considerations within confined tank environments
• Mechanical and manual removal methods required to handle heavy material efficiently
• Waste handling and relocation requirements in line with site controls

A fast, practical plan was implemented to ensure the quickest possible reinstatement of operations while maintaining full compliance with site safety procedures.

    Methodology

    Step 1: Emergency mobilisation and tank assessment
    APT ICC deployed a specialist extreme cleaning team to assess the condition of both water jet cutting tanks and confirm the safest and fastest removal approach for the compacted garnet sediment.

    Step 2: Controlled sediment loosening and sectioned removal
    Sediment was loosened and managed in controlled sections to maintain stability and prevent uncontrolled release of heavy material during extraction.

    Step 3: Mechanical-assisted extraction
    A mini digger was used to support the safe lifting and removal of large volumes of garnet sediment, accelerating the process while reducing manual handling risk.

    Step 4: Manual detailing and full tank clearance
    Residual build-up was manually cleared to ensure both tanks were fully emptied and no remaining sediment remained within the system.

    Step 5: Waste handling and reinstatement
    readiness
    All recovered sediment was collected and relocated in line with the site’s waste handling requirements. The tanks were left clear, allowing coolant flow and filtration systems to be reinstated and machinery returned to operational use.

    Site Access & Logistics

    Equipment
    • Mini digger for mechanical sediment extraction
    • Manual removal and handling tools for detailed tank clearance


    Chemicals
    • No chemicals were required for this project. The works focused entirely on physical sediment removal and tank clearance to restore system functionality.

    The Results
    APT ICC successfully removed approximately 5 tonnes of garnet sediment from two water jet cutting tanks, resolving the blockages that had prevented normal machine operation.

    Key outcomes included:

    • Coolant flow and filtration restored
    • Water jet cutting machinery returned to effective working condition
    • Emergency works completed with minimal production disruption
    • Rapid response delivered within critical operational timeframes

    The client was satisfied with both the speed of response and the effectiveness of the extreme cleaning programme, preventing extended downtime and supporting continued manufacturing output.