Quality Assurance into the

OMD Doc 023 21st Century and beyond

Chemical Tanker
THOME Operations Annex 005
SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD

ANNEX 5

WALL WASH TEST

The wall wash test is done to determine the state of cleanliness of the cargo tanks and is the final
stage of tank cleaning operation for verification of results. This involves spraying a highly active
solvent (usually Methanol) against a segment of the tank surface cleaned, the liquid is collected and
analysed with different methods. The wall wash sample is analysed for the following:
1. Colour Test
2. Chloride Test
3. Hydrocarbon Test
4. Permanganate Time Test (P.T.T)
5. Non-Volatile Matters Test (NVM Test)
On the basis of the wall wash test result it is decided whether further cleaning is required and if so
the procedure to be followed. Test is carried out after the tank is cleaned as per the charterers’
instructions and requisite steaming is completed and tanks drained and dried.

Wall Wash Test Kit

The chemical tankers engaged in carriage of wall wash test cargoes shall carry approximately the
following wall wash test equipment at all times. Actual quantity can vary as per the trading pattern of
the vessel.

Item Unit Quantity

pH papers in range 0-14 1 box/ 100pcs 1box

2% Silver nitrate solution (AGNO3) 500 Ml 2 bottle

20% Nitric acid (HNO3)

Pipette 5 Ml 3

Chloride standard solution (10 PPM) 500 ml 2 bottle

Filter papers, folded 1 box 100 pcs 1

Funnel glass 2

Half cut funnel Plastic 1

Graduated Nessler tubes 100 ml and 50 ml 6 each

Disposable gloves 24

Distilled water 2.5 liters 6

CONTROLLED Revision: 01 Mar 2013

Approved by DPA/DMR
Page 1 of 5
THOME
SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD Annex 005

0.02% Potassium Permanganate standard solution 250 ml 1 bottle

Black board 12 inches x 6 inches 1

White board 12 inches x 6 inches

Nessler tube stand 1

Pure wall wash test methanol 1 liter bottles 24

Methanol dispenser 1 liter 2

Sample bottles 500 ml 6

Permanent markers 2

Glass chalet for NVM test 100 ml 1

Precautions
1) SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Eye protection is required when collecting the samples to prevent the inadvertent contact of methanol
with eyes during sample collection. Gloves should be worn to prevent the absorption of methanol
through skin. Disposable plastic gloves are worn to prevent contamination of sample during collection
process (Sufficient amount of chlorides can be absorbed from the skin to cause the sample to fail the
chloride analysis). Also all sampling equipment including bottles, funnels and other apparatus must
be thoroughly rinsed with methanol prior use as chlorides are abundant in environment. Personal
collecting the samples must be aware samples or sampling equipment must not in any way contact
bare skin or perspiration.

2) TEST SITES
A minimum of four (4) sites, approximately 1 square metre each, must be chosen in each tank, any
area that appears to have crystalline deposits must definitely be tested.

3) COLLECTION PROCEDURE
Dispense methanol on the test sections at the highest practical point (about 1.5 to 2 metres) above
the tank bottom in a stream of about 10 cms wide. Allow the methanol to run down the wall
approximately 15 cms and begin collecting it with a half cut funnel pressed against the bulkhead.
Collect about 200 ml of sample of wall wash methanol in the sample bottle from four sites. This
methanol sample collected is to be used for analysis.

COLOUR TEST
Certain impurities result in discoloration of the wall wash sample. The colour of the wall wash liquid is
compared standard solution. Mostly APHA colour is measured.

CONTROLLED Revision: 01 Mar 2013

Approved by DPA/DMR
Page 2 of 5
THOME
SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD Annex 005

CHLORIDE TEST
The principal of the test is that chloride together with silver nitrate solution forms silver chloride (AgCl)
which makes the solution turbid. This solution is compared with various standard solutions to
establish the ppm chlorides in the sample.
Prepare the Nessler tubes as indicated in the below diagrams. Insert the stopper and invert the
tubes. Compare the turbidity of the sample solution with standard .25-PPM, .5-PPM and 2PPM
solutions by looking through the liquid against a black background. Comparison should be done in a
dark room by looking through the tube using a beam flashlight.
If the turbidity of the sample is more than .25-PPM solution, the sample should be compared with .5-
PPM standard solution and so on until the turbidity of the sample matches the higher standard
solution.

46 ml of 45 ml of 44 ml of 38 ml of
DI Water DI Water DI Water DI Water
1 ml of 10 2 ml of 10 8 ml of 10
PPM stand PPM stand PPM stand
Chloride Chloride Chloride
2 ml of 2 ml of 2 ml of 2 ml of
20% HNO3 20% HNO3 20% HNO3 20% HNO3
2 ml of 2% 2 ml of 2% 2 ml of 2% 2 ml of 2%
AgNO3 AgNO3
AgNO3 AgNO3

50 ml of 50 ml of 50 ml of 50 ml of
Wall Pure Pure Pure
wash methanol methanol methanol
sample

Sample standard standard standard

0.25-PPM 0.5-PPM 2-PPM

HYDROCARBON TEST
The purpose of this test is the qualitative detection of non-water soluble contaminants. It works on the
basis that many impurities are soluble in the wall wash liquid but not in water. Therefore this test is
also called Water Miscibility test. The wall wash sample is poured into clear DI water. The Wall wash
sample is soluble in water but not the impurities. This leads to cloudiness or turbidity of water. The
water with wall wash liquid is compared with a standard solution of pure methanol and DI water.
Prepare the Nessler tubes as indicated in the below diagrams. Insert the stopper and invert the tubes
to mix the contents. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes. Compare the cloudiness / turbidity of the sample
solution with standard solution of pure methanol / DI water by looking through the liquid against a
black background. Comparison should be done in a dark room by looking through the tube using a
beam flashlight. If the sample solution is same in transparency as the standard than wall wash
hydrocarbon content is zero. Similarly if the sample solution is milkier than standard than there is a
presence of hydrocarbon in the wall wash test. If a bluish tint is present, there are moderate to heavy
hydrocarbons.

CONTROLLED Revision: 01 Mar 2013

Approved by DPA/DMR
Page 3 of 5
THOME
SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD Annex 005

50 ml of
50 ml of
DI Water
DI Water

50 ml of 50 ml of
Wall Pure
wash methanol
sample

Sample standard

PERMANGANATE TIME TEST

Principle: Presence of oxide impurities reduces the presence of Potassium Permanganate.
The test is based on the ability of Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) to oxidise hydrocarbon
impurities that could be present in the wall wash liquid. If there is a reaction in a neutral solution, the
potassium permanganate is reduced and changes its colour from Purple to yellow-orange. The more
the impurities, the faster will be the change in colour.
Prepare the Nessler tubes as indicated in the below diagrams. Keep the Nessler tubes in constant
temperature bath, add KMnO4. Insert the stopper and invert the tube once to mix the contents, note
the time. Note the time taken by Purple sample solution in the Nessler tube to turn to orange- yellow
in colour. Compare the time taken for standard solution to undergo similar change in colour. If the
sample solution takes lesser time to turns to orange yellow, Oxide impurities are present in the wall
wash sample.

2 ml of 2 ml of
KMnO4 KMnO4
sol sol

50 ml of 50 ml of
Wall Pure
wash Methanol
sample

Sample standard

CONTROLLED Revision: 01 Mar 2013

Approved by DPA/DMR
Page 4 of 5
THOME
SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD Annex 005

NON VOLATILE MATTER TEST (NVM TEST)

This test is used to determine the presence of non-volatile impurities on the tank surface. A defined
quantity of the wall wash liquid is poured into glass chalet and evaporated. The weight of the residue,
the so-called NVM, is detected by weighing. This is then divided by the original weight of the sample.
The indication of trace on the tank surfaces where the wall wash test reagent had flowed down is a
clear indication of the presence of NVM on the tank surface.

CONTROLLED Revision: 01 Mar 2013

Approved by DPA/DMR
Page 5 of 5