IBC water storage tote container cleaning

[guserto4]

I recently picked up a used 330 gallon IBC storage tote ($75!). It previously had used vegetable oil in it. I am in the process of cleaning it and am looking for suggestions. So far, i washed out the sludge at the bottom then I used a heavy duty degreaser solution (made 165g per dilution instructions so filled the container half way), let that sit a day then filled the tote up the rest of the way and let that sit a few days with a power head running in it. I drained it and then refilled it, this time adding kitchen safe cleaner/degreaser (in 1g containers) but I went cheap and did ~1/10th recommended dilution (3g- each 1g makes 10g recommended dilution). Power head is on that now and I'm headed to work. I'll let that sit then drain it and power wash it, but is that good enough? Should I do a bleach fill THEN power wash it? (My water bill this month is gonna be high... but at lesst then it's clean and done!) Anybody have suggestions?!

 

[worm5406]

I would power wash it again.

Then FILL it to the top. Hot water preferably, may have to add water to it a few times, after you drain the entire hot water tank in it. LOL The hot water will allow the plastic to expand and maybe release anything caught in the pores.

See if there are any droplets of oil leaching from the walls.

Personally, I stay away from any thing that had oil in it. Depending on the plastic grade it may have already released the oil.

 

[guserto4]

So worm, you're tellin me I need a 330 caldron then, huh?!

I was a little worried about the vegetable oil but I figured it wasn't industrial waste just food waste so maybe I'd be alright. $75 was too tempting! If it doesn't work out for rodi storage then I may have to just make it a rainwater storage...

Thanks for the suggestion I will try HOT water too! What's hot though... Can I just use a bunch of heaters and get it to 85??
LOL probably not enough, eh?

 

[worm5406]

Yeah,, you could.. I would set them UP higher. All the way.

That helps release the oil out.

Cut back on chemical baths in it. But a bleach bath one last time then let it AIR dry would be a good idea.