Growth continues unabated for the PSC Container Services LLC wash rack in LaPorte TX. During an April 24 open house, the PSC management team showed off a new two-acre parking area and discussed plans to upgrade four of nine chemical wash bays.
With the expanded parking, PSC's LaPorte wash rack can accommodate nearly 200 tank trailers. Like all of the parking at the 20-acre facility, the new area is fully paved. Plenty of lighting and video cameras help ensure the security of the parking area.
The four wash bays scheduled for upgrade currently are used for specialized cleaning activities, including steaming and collection of vapors that are burned in a flare. Full service tank cleaning capabilities will be added to the bays. PSC will add a four-vat wash system with 75-horsepower pumps that enable the Sellers 360 spinners to run at 250 to 300 psi. The 500-gallon vats are being fabricated from stainless steel.
“This wash system upgrade will increase our total tank cleaning throughput by about 42%,” said Jim Carlson, LaPorte wash rack manager.
One of the oldest in the PSC system, the LaPorte wash rack has been upgraded and expanded continually over the years. The facility has the capability to clean a wide range of chemical products, with the exception of PCBs, P-listed products, and some poisons.
The wash rack has significantly increased its intermediate bulk container (IBC) cleaning capabilities. “We're now cleaning 70 to 100 IBCs a day,” Carlson said. “Over the past 14 months, IBC cleaning has become about 45% of our revenue, and we believe it will continue to grow.”