Flyash

JimFergerson

JimFergerson

New member
I recently took on a small fleet of trailers that carry Flyash.


This what i'm up against...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_ash

What type of chemical would work best to breakdown coal?



I'm meeting with the yard manager and the company "chemist" tomorrow to talk about a few options. I would like to get some more information on this, so i can at least ask a few decent questions with him.


Anyone care to discuss?
 
It is the residue from a coal fired power plant. It is added to cement to make it more cost effective, and makes the cement stronger.
 
Are they painted? Plain Steel? Aluminum?

Fly Ash will permanently stain aluminum to the point where it is deep into the aluminum and not removable for the permanent stains.

I wash a couple fleets of trucks that haul a similar product, not as bad but they used to haul fly ash and for a year now the permanent stains have not come off or got better at all and I wash these trailers (aluminum brightener is used) every 2 weeks unless they are down for repairs or the refinery is down for turn-arounds.

Post pictures of the trailers so I can see what you are dealing with.

Jim, give me a call if you want to talk about this a lot as typing will be a lot of time on both our parts for the things to discuss.
 
5 are painted, and 5 are aluminum.

I'm sure that you are right about the aluminum... they're pretty bad. I would still like to get them brightened up alittle, but they're never look "Great" again.


Chris, i'm actually on the way out the door right now, and i won't be able to sit down to talk until late morning tomorrow.


A few pics

The top 3 are painted...

AZMaterials005.jpg


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and the next 2 are Aluminum..

AZMaterials036.jpg


AZMaterials041.jpg




Painted after Caustic...

AZMaterials018.jpg


AZMaterials023.jpg
 
I agree I had a fleet of quads that hauled fly ash and used to wash the loader in the pit weekly for years. A good two step on a regular basis is the best method for them.
 
Is your customer unhappy with how they look? I know we all pursue perfection, but really it boils down to customer satisfaction. As long as the customer is happy, I would let it go, and keep working on them.
On a positive side, at least you have a good enough relationship with the customer to keep him in the loop.
 
Scott Stone said:
Is your customer unhappy with how they look? I know we all pursue perfection, but really it boils down to customer satisfaction. As long as the customer is happy, I would let it go, and keep working on them.
On a positive side, at least you have a good enough relationship with the customer to keep him in the loop.
Click to expand...

Well said.
 
Scott Stone said:
Is your customer unhappy with how they look? I know we all pursue perfection, but really it boils down to customer satisfaction. As long as the customer is happy, I would let it go, and keep working on them.
On a positive side, at least you have a good enough relationship with the customer to keep him in the loop.
Click to expand...

No, it's mainly "me" that is unhappy with how they look. "They" have pretty low expectations, for the most part. However, I DO NOT!

We all got in the cleaning business to CLEAN!. I couldn't possibly sleep comfortably at night with unsatisfactory results...


I am looking into a crude form of two stepping. Something along the lines of a two separate bucket, downstreaming method?

We just don't know if we can justify going all out on a Fleet Washing Set-Up at this juncture, ya know?
 
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If you have a roof pump apply the acid with it and downstream the soap.With a good acid you will see a night and day difference with those trailers.
 
They're now providing Scrub-Brite (phosphoric acid) and a high alkaline truck soap, and it's melting right off with hot water!


We're pretty Jazzed with the results.


AZMaterials005-1.jpg


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AZMaterials020.jpg



smiley-peace.gif
 
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Jim,
Sorry I did not finish talking to you yesterday. I got side tracked and busy. If you want the contact the guy they get the scrub brite from, let me know. I have his number, and he is good people. He also sells truck washing soaps that are pretty good.
Glad that worked out for you.
 
Totally okay Scott... the conversation we had was very helpful, and the meeting went well.

I do have a few questions about the Chems and truck soap. If you could get me his number, the would be Great!
 
Scott, pm me that info also please.

Maybe that would work on these trailers I wash, I have tried a lot of brands of aluminum brightener and only the most expensive work.....somewhat.

I would like to give that stuff a try to see what it can do on these trailers.
 
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