cleaning off dewatering oil?

[hobbs101]

Hi. I have a large iron casting, 1.8m long, 1.0 diameter, 800kg. It has an internal bore. It has many external and internal features. It is due to be delivered to us painted in dewatering oil to prevent rusting during transit, specifically Castrol Rustilo DWX32. I need to be able to clean off all of the dewatering oil. The datasheet says it can be cleaned off with an alkaline solution.

Any thoughts how I practically get this done? My queries are
- how to apply the cleaning solution? high pressure spray?
- can these jobs be done on site?
- where does the cleaner/oil drain to?
- safety concerns? protective clothing etc.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Thanks
Graham

 

[btrueblood]

Google, or look in your local phone book, to find "mobile engine steam cleaning" or "mobile pressure washing" services. They should be able to set up in your parking lot/driveway with a set of tarps and berms to collect the waste fluid, and have all the right gear to wear.

 

[EngineerTex]

If you can live with the time required for transport, you can look for engine shops around your town. Many machine shops that specialize in engine rebuilding often have the setup to clean that off. Ask around for a "caustic soda bath" or a "hot lye bath". But as for that or with any other method, once the oil is removed, you have to do with it whatever you're going to do quickly since it won't have protection anymore.

Engineering is not the science behind building. It is the science behind not building.