As a terminally-degreed engineering scholar (2001-2007) and experienced tankcar

cleaning professional (since 1997), I have focused much of my chemistry cleaning skill
and entire graduate research (both M.S. and Ph.D.) on rail tankcar cleaning of hazardous
commodities, and specifically with hydrocarbon-based commodities. My goal has been
to determine the most cost-effective way for tankcar cleaners to incorporate intentional
environmental stewardship, optimal human health and safety, and efficient commodity
removal from tankcars. The persistent variables with which I have always had to
contend for hydrocarbon commodity cleaning include volatile organic compounds
(VOC) emissions, deep tankcar substrate penetration of toxins and carcinogens (such as
hydrogen sulfide gas or H2S and benzene), viscosity issues of flowing the commodity out
through the bottom outlet valve (BOV), and the separation of water and hydrocarbon
from the effluent prior to disposal. All four of these broad variables routinely increase
the human entry and exposure times within the tankcar, limit effective cleaning
chemistry options, and increase the effluent (air, water, commodity) discharge risks and
subsequent risk mitigation control costs.

However, my more recent research of steam-enabled chemistry for tankcar cleaning of

hydrocarbon commodities led me to the BioChem Systems team. I had the opportunity
to study BioChem Systems technologies with their own vessel cleaning subject matter
expert, their laboratory staff, and formulations team. My first pilot project with VPRX
provided me the observations that I had intended to uncover in even my graduate work.
Consequently, my more recent tankcar cleaning work designs (for both fixed and mobile
cleaning clients) have strategically included the use of BioChem Systems hydrocarbon
cleaning agent VPRX, in tandem with BioChem Systems steam-injection VaporX process.

These are the repeatable observations that I have made of our clients work systems,
since using VPRX.

With VPRX being a non-polar chemical that is stable enough to be steam-injected into
a Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA)-empty tankcar, the tankcars substrate is
fully opened for complete commodity release, a full range of hydrocarbon commodities
(and all related toxic gases and carcinogens) are effectively encapsulated (rather than
volatilized to atmosphere), the cleaning agent is fully dispersed with the steam into
every critical area of the tankcars orifices, the majority of the hydrocarbon commodity
flows out through the BOV, and the resulting effluent phase-partitions within minutes
to a recoverable product and trace-level hydrocarbon wastewater. Any further human-
entry inside the now fully empty, ventilated tankcar is minimal, and personal protective
equipment (PPE) does not require supplied air.

As a result, my ultimate decision to use [BioChems VaporX process] has improved

our organizations overall strategic deliverables for our tankcar cleaning clients through
enhanced environmental stewardship, a safer work environment, and tankcars that can
pass a black-light test with no fluorescing organics, immediately following the final rinse
phase of the cleaning cycle.

Dr. Paul T. Baumgardner, Ph.D.

President/Principal
Advanced BioGenetics & Life Sciences, LLC
(806) 395-1001
drpaul@advancedbiogenetics.com
www.advancedbiogenetics.com/engineering.html