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Tank of green liquid, Birkenhead Central renovation

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Green Lane

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Birkenhead Central railway station is currently undergoing renovation of the platforms. Here is a photo of the work in progress (from a week or so ago):-

IMG_4060.jpg


Whilst waiting for the train, I have noticed this large tank of green liquid on the platform:-

DSCF3507.jpg


Presumably it's related to the renovation somehow. Purely out of curiosity, I have pondered what this liquid could be and what it is for, but can't see how it is related to laying the new platform surfaces.

I have posted this question on another (non-rail) forum.

Suggestions have ranged from weed killer to anti-freeze to fuel (for the diggers) and even (jokingly) fairy liquid, but no-one is certain what this stuff is.

Does anyone here know what this stuff could be and what it is used for? Thanks for any possible suggestions! :D

The main reason I ask is that I uploaded the photo of the tank to the Wikimedia Commons free media repository and really, I should enter a useful description of what this is.
 
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plannerman

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Strangely I noticed this last weekend as well, and wondered what it was.

I have no idea, but my obsevations were that -

1) it isn't marked, and therefore isn't (shouldn't be?) hazardous as defined by ADR - which probably rules out weedkiller.

2) Not marking it is poor practice, even if it doesn't fall under ADR - it could be used incorrectly or by someone who doesn't know what it is
 

Green Lane

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Thanks for the replies. Yes, that's a good point about the lack of hazardous markings.

I suppose it could be water, which perhaps has been slightly contaminated by something, giving it a tint.

It looks quite green in reality. My cheap point-and-click camera has washed out the colours somewhat.

The plastic of the tank is itself apparently white, so I'm guessing the liquid itself is a bit green. But I see what you are saying, i.e. sometimes even clear water could look a funny colour due to the plastic container.

Water would make sense as (a) it's something which I could understand being used and (b) non-hazardous.
 

AndrewP

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Almost certainly water for the construction works.

The green is likely to be a plasticiser to make it more useable or an anti-bacterial additive to stop it becoming a health risk.
 

merlodlliw

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I have several of these tanks, they are mostly used for containing concentrated fruit juices from Europe & rest of the world.

Usually they are cleaned out,but not always, one I use gives the impression of the water looking orange on the outside, but inside it is clear.

Most of the cage they sit in states food use only, I use them for water, & imagine the green could be from whatever food concentrate was in it.

Anything other than water, would be marked, or should be.

Looking at the picture again , I would say it was water, when these tanks are filled with water they look greyish to the water level,a natural reaction.

Bob
 

tsr

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It looks like water that has been contaminated with a copper-based substance. There are springs in various parts of the country that give "drinking water" with a similar, but not so vivid, tint, and I imagine that it is merely a non-purified version of water from such a spring.

I suppose you could ask someone who works at the site.

I concur that the container should be marked if it doesn't contain water. Looking at the standard blue tap with no signage near it or guards to prevent spillage certainly suggests that there are no chemical hazards involved in the dispensing and use of the liquid!

:)
 

Green Lane

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Thank you all for the further informative replies.

Yes I concur, on reading the thread, it seems most likely water with something diluted in it.

Perhaps something from a previous filling of the tank, or I do like the idea of the plasticiser or an antibacterial additive. Have to confess I didn't think of that!

I would like to ask someone who works there, but as per the photo, I'm only really there sometimes at weekends and quite early in the morning (That photo was taken on a Saturday morning IIRC), alas no-one ever seems to be around when I'm on the platform. :)

But I'd agree it's most likely to consist mainly of water. Thanks again!
 
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Essexman

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If you want to be precise, rather than a tank you could use the industry term for such a container - IBC - Intermediate Bulk Container.
 

beermaddavep

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I've heard of this before- apparently mixing detergent into concrete or cement can make it more durable?

Maybe a water/detergent mix, so the fairy liquid suggestion might not be so daft!
 

Dolive22

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I was going to suggest AdBlue, but if you say it looks properly green in real life that's out. In any case, I think AdBlue might need some marking anyway.

Other than that I can only say it is VX, which is apparently green. Who wants to tell MI5?

Obviously it's water. More seriously than the rest of my reply, it might have been left for a very long time and the colour might be algae? Pretty disgusting, but I'm sure the cement will kill it.
 
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