OREANDA-NEWS. September 03, 2010. A unique microwave device designed to heat viscous oil residues in tanks has been installed at Kombinatskaya Washing and Steaming Station on the Western Siberian Railway as part of a reconstruction project being carried out by Freight One. The innovative device has passed the necessary tests and is expected to reduce energy consumption in preparing tanks for filling with petroleum products.

The device was designed by Omsk engineer Vladimir Afanasyev, who holds several patents in rocket and space technology.

"Our task is to increase the throughput of the station and find new ways to better serve shippers. When the station was transferred to Freight One, it became clear almost immediately that the invention is unequalled in Russia in terms of performance" says Branch Director Yevgeni Dolzhenko. "The equipment triples both energy efficiency and throughput.

"As part of the reconstruction program for the WSS, we are planning to mount two microwave devices on a trestle to treat cars with residues of viscous petroleum products".