Chemical storage tank Maintenance AwSV-LAU systems (systems for the storage, filling and transfer of substances hazardous to water) WHG (Water Resources Act) subject to specialist company requirements
Chemical storage tank maintenance for so-called AwSV-LAU systems, e.g. the chemical storage tanks for the required treatment chemicals (e.g. hydrochloric acid, caustic soda, flocculants) in a demineralization system which is automatically to be regenerated, selective exchanger system, ion exchanger system or chemical-physical wastewater system ,requires a WHG specialist company with regard to installation, repair (i.e. repair, but not maintenance such as calibration, inspection), internal cleaning (but not external cleaning) and decommissioning, if this has either reached a certain size in combination with the water hazard class (WGK) and installation location (hydrochloric acid tanks usually from 100 m³) or if – simplified – a part of the system has not been installed in a completely transparent manner. In the latter case, it is a system subject to the WHG, even if the system is above ground and visible in all other components. In these cases, a WHG specialist company is required to check or maintain the MSR (measurement and control technology) components at least once a year.
The MSR (measurement and control technology) is usually tested either by:
- Start-up in the process
- Replacement tests
- Simulation after removal by immersion in reference medium
- Simulation of the physical measuring effect by a test button, if this is described in the DiBt approval.
- Waiver of the test
- only if described in the DiBt approval.
The test is carried out in such a way that the overfill prevention system functions properly in the interaction of all components up to the signal transmission (e.g. horn, valves closed). If corrosion cannot be ruled out and this is not automatically monitored, this must be included in the test.
In all cases other than those mentioned above, maintenance can also be carried out by a competent team of operators on their own.
Chemical storage tank maintenance should not be confused with the expert inspection, which must also be carried out once or at regular intervals, depending on the installation site and hazard level.
During the maintenance of existing chemical-physical wastewater treatment systems, it is regularly noticed that
- The system data sheet required by the AwSV is either missing or incomplete.
- The regular SI inspection of HCl storage tanks (regardless of size) required by DiBt was not carried out.
- Risk assessments for pipelines with WGK (water hazard class) 2/3 substances were not carried out.
Do you have further questions about AwSV systems and their maintenance? Please feel free to contact us.