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Before maintenance of crude tank it is necessary to remove the sludge inside tank. We do it by opening the clean out door and facilitate it by water jet, but it takes huge time to clean. is there any easy/quick method to perform the cleaning?
 
Answers
29/08/2009 A: Marcello Ferrara, ITW SrL, mferrara@itw.it
Our patented chemical cleaning method, can dissolve and stabilize the sludge with no man entry. Sludge is transformed into a fully reusable product and can be fully reprocessed. A further patented chemical will help in getting quick safe entry conditions. The technology will avoid/minimize mechanical cleaning and reduce downtime, along with maximizing HS&E.
25/08/2009 A: keith bowers, B and B Consulting, kebowers47@gmail.com
Lightening Mixer has a mixer and mounting system that swings the mixer back and forth at timed intervals. Claimed to dramatically reduce deposition/drop-out in tanks. Contact them for advice.
Pulseair has also developed a simple system for mixing and cleaning out tanks. It was successful at re-mixing a tank filled with highly radioactive sludges that appeared 'solid' and was too hard for sample containers to break through the top crust. Their system was very economical and did the entire re-mixing job in a few days--saved us taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in hazardous clean-up /remediation costs
If wax is part of the problem, heat the tank to melt it --circulating hot oil
24/08/2009 A: Mike Watson, Tube Tech International Ltd, mike.watson@tubetech.com
There are many systems, technologies that can be used from chemical to mechanical.
Chemicals that breakdown the heavy sludge into recoverable components whereupon up to 95% + re-useable product can be recovered. Mechanical dozers and oscillating spray bars etc are a sample of other systems. The only way to recommend the various methods is to know about the tank design, location and dimensions of coil, height, vessel furniture, access points, crude levels etc. We would favour remote as opposed to man entry if one can accept the cost which in the main will be offset against the gain in re-useable product. See case studies www.tubetech.com