Chemical washing station helps protect Yangtze River

By Chen Si, Yichang International Communication Studio

Yichang Chemical Ship Washing Station is the first intelligent washing station on the Yangtze River. Located in Yaojiagang Chemical Park, it was first put to use at the end of 2020.

The chemical ship washing station plays an important role in protecting the Yangtze River.
 

Yichang Chemical Ship Washing Station

Currently, some ships on the Yangtze River transport various types of chemicals such as acids, alkalis and alcohols. To remove toxic and hazardous substances as well as flammable gases in the cabin, these ships on require a thorough cleaning when they switch cargo loads or begin repair and maintenance.

Since operations began, Yichang Chemical Ship Washing Station has completed 127 washes, including 28 washes from January to April this year, an increase of 151 percent year-on-year. It has collected 7,274 tonnes of washing water, including 1,360 tonnes of washing water from January to April this year, an increase of 209 percent year-on-year.
 

Yichang Chemical Ship Washing Station

The station has set up an intelligent information system for cabin wash operations and an information system for waste water treatment. The system has integrated the information collected from both the ship and onshore facilities as well as visualized the entire operation process.

The station now has two berths and two barges. After securing the ship, workers connect the cleaning system with the pipes and cabins on the ship. Then the intelligent cleaning procedure runs automatically, including replacing cabin gas, steaming the cabin, and ventilation. It takes only one day to wash a methanol-carrying ship.
 

The intelligent information system which visualizes the whole process

The intelligent cabin wash not only improves the work efficiency and reduces safety hazards, but also ensures that wastewater does not flow into the river.

In addition, the station has laid 11 pipes marked with different colors to transfer different types of waste water to then be treated.