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BAN Clean in Action: How ZymeFlow’s Reactive Chemistry Redefines Industrial Cleaning

Written by zymeflow | Jul 31, 2025 7:50:22 PM

In the refining and petrochemical world, time is critical, and safety is non-negotiable. Unexpected contamination can bring operations to a halt, resulting in millions of dollars in lost production. That’s why modern decontamination strategies must go beyond traditional cleaning. With BAN Clean—ZymeFlow’s proprietary Base, Acid, Neutralization cleaning approach, plants are achieving faster turnarounds, deeper cleans, and improved safety, all while reducing environmental impact.

For over 35 years, ZymeFlow has been the global leader in chemical cleaning and decontamination, using reactive chemistry to tackle the industry’s most complex challenges. BAN Clean is a prime example of how reactive cleaning delivers results that conventional methods simply can't match.

What Is BAN Clean Reactive Cleaning, and Why Do They Matter?

BAN Clean stands for Base, Acid, Neutralization—a strategic, stepwise application of specially engineered chemistries designed to dissolve, neutralize, and remove tough contaminants. Each phase of BAN Clean targets a different class of foulant, ensuring complete system decontamination:

  • Base phase breaks down organic sludge, heavy hydrocarbons, and polymerized deposits.
  • Acid phase dissolves inorganic scales, such as iron oxides, sulfates, and carbonates.
  • Neutralization phase balances the system's chemistry, ensuring safe handling and waste disposal, and prepares the unit for inspection or re-entry.

This reactive cleaning sequence operates at the molecular level, converting hazardous compounds into safer byproducts more quickly and efficiently than flushing or steaming alone.

Why Reactive Chemistry Matters in Turnaround Cleaning

In industrial units, contaminants such as pyrophoric iron sulfide, hydrocarbon residues, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose serious safety hazards. BAN Clean reactive formulations are engineered to:

  • Chemically neutralize dangerous gases
  •  Eliminate LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) concerns
  • Prevent ignition risks from pyrophoric
  • Minimize confined space entries and manual intervention

By working proactively and chemically, BAN Clean significantly reduces gas-freeing time and enhances overall safety outcomes.

BAN Clean in Action: ZymeFlow’s Distinctive Advantages

ZymeFlow’s BAN Clean process is more than a set of chemicals—it’s a comprehensive, field-proven cleaning strategy. Here’s how it delivers exceptional value across refinery and petrochemical turnarounds:

✔    Integrated Multi-Phase Cleaning

Each step, Base, Acid, and Neutralization, is engineered to address different contaminants in a single continuous process, reducing downtime and eliminating the need for separate treatments.

✔     Accelerated Gas-Free Times

Reactive formulations rapidly break down VOCs, H₂S, and combustible gases, often cutting turnaround prep time by 30–50% compared to conventional steam-outs or solvent washes.

✔    Online Cleaning Capability

BAN Clean can begin while the unit is still online, removing buildup and preparing equipment in advance. This minimizes manual cleaning after shutdown and allows for quicker mechanical entry once the system is offline.

✔    Reduced Water and Waste

Compared to traditional flushing, BAN Clean uses less water and generates minimal waste streams, lowering environmental impact and disposal costs.

✔    Improved Safety and Compliance

With fewer confined space entries and lower exposure to toxics, BAN Clean helps operators meet stringent OSHA, EPA, and internal HSE standards.

Trusted Across the Most Complex Units

From Crude Distillation, Vacuum, Hydrotreaters, Reactors, Gas Plants, Sour Water Plants, FCC Units, Coker Units, Quench Towers to Sulfuric and Hydrofluoric Alkylation Units. ZymeFlow’s BAN Clean approach has been applied to some of the most challenging refinery systems worldwide.

Our teams collaborate directly with site engineers and turnaround planners to customize every cleaning project, adapting chemistry, flow paths, and application timelines to suit each plant’s specific configuration and constraints.

A Smarter Strategy, Backed by Decades of Experience

At ZymeFlow, we believe reactive cleaning is more than a chemical solution; it’s an operational advantage. With the BAN Clean system, you get:

  • Industry-leading chemistry designed for refinery-grade foulants
  • Expert field support and real-time process adjustments
  • Rapid results without compromising safety or compliance
  • A fully integrated, environmentally responsible approach to decontamination

Whether you’re planning your next major turnaround or preparing for an emergency cleanout, ZymeFlow’s BAN Clean gives you control, confidence, and cleaner results faster.

Ready to improve your turnaround strategy with ZymeFlow’s BAN Clean process?

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about how reactive chemistry can simplify your toughest cleaning challenges.