Operations

Automated tank cleaning operations have been around for a good few years ,and our team who have worked with the leaders in the industry have come together and refined the process  which benefits our customers  project in reducing down tie waste disposal and limiting the amount of confined space entry , below are some of the projects that our team members spear headed .

2015 : Trial with TOTAL Gabon

Volume of Sludge initial: 2000m3
Circulation Time: 3 Weeks
Cleaning-up time: 3 months
Duration: June – Oct 2015.

 

2010 – 2014 : TOTAL Congo Ops

Tanks online cleaning disludgement: 9
Tanks cleaned-up: 5
Duration of contract: 1+3

 

2013 – 2014 : Chad 

Case Studies

Study 1

Diameter76 m - cone down
Volume90000 m3
ProductCrude oil
Sludge amount4500 m3
Sludge characterization94% hydrocarbons
2% water
4% sediments
Process description3 telescopic modules were installed on the tank shell through existing manholes
Work durationThe recovery of the hydrocarbons took 10 days
Results achieved99% of the hydrocarbon contents ( 4200 m3 ) was removed, reduced of about 93% of sludge

Study 2

Diameter61 m
Volume65000 m3
ProductCrude oil
Sludge amount9700 m3
Sludge characterizationThe sludge was characterized by thermographic imaging and manual dipping techniques
Process description3 telescopic modules were installed through existing manholes. The crude oil contained in the tank was used as cutting oil. 1 circulation phase
Work durationThe work lasted 25 days, including mobilization and demobilization. During the BioRecOilTM Process the tank was kept in service all the time. The sludge was heated by the current steam coils.
Results achieved99% of the hydrocarbon ( 8600 m3 ) in the sludge was recovered. Reduction of over 90% of the sludge. During the work the tank was kept in service. It was out of service for only 130 hours during the circulation phase.

Study 3

Diameter96.5 m
Volume160000 m3
ProductCrude oil
Sludge amount5000 m3
Sludge characterization94.5% hydrocarbons
4.5% water
1.5% sediments
Process description4 hydrodynamic modules were installed on the tank shell through existing manholes.

Download of 11000 m3 of cutting oil, Biosurfactants and 3700 m3 of fire fighting water.
Work durationCirculation took 120 hours with roof in service position
The recovery of the hydrocarbons took 12 days
The entire work lasted 10 weeks due to maintenance
Results achieved97% of the hydrocarbon ( 4700 m3 ) was recovered
Reduced of about 94% of sludge

Study 4

A sunken roof had taken one tank out of service in Africa

90000 cubic meters 83 meters wide

Found 3500 cubic meters of sludge

Roof dismantling and bottom dismantling needed (1400 metrics tons of steel)

Sludge composition 98% HC, 2% BS&W

72 cubic meters of waste disposal

3500 cubic meters (21000 barrels)of oil recovered

Study 5

A sunken roof had taken one tank out of service in Africa

90000 cubic meters 83 meters wide

Found 10.0000 cubic meters of sludge

Roof dismantling needed (600 metrics tons of steel)

Sludge composition 97% HC, 3% BS&W

280 cubic meters of waste disposal

9700 cubic meters (58200 barrels) of oil recovered

Study 6

Leaking tank in Africa

90000 cubic meters 83 meters wide

Found. 6000 cubic meters of sludge

Sludge composition 96% HC, 4% BS&W

0 cubic meters of waste disposal

4500 cubic meters (30000 barrels) of oil recovered

Tank downtime for desludging 0 hrs

Final cleaning and roof seal dismantling 20 days tank downtime

Final wastes 50 cubic meters

Study 7

Huge quantity of sludge inside a tank in Africa

90000 cubic meters 83 meters wide

Found 16500 cubic meters of sludge

Sludge composition 98% HC, 2% BS&W

0 cubic meters of waste disposal

No tank downtime

Sludge reduction of 90% as per customer request

Study 8

Huge quantity of sludge inside a tank in Africa

90000 cubic meters 83 meters wide

Found 5900 cubic meters of sludge

Sludge composition 96% HC, 4% BS&W

0 cubic meters of waste disposal

4600 cubic meters (28000 barrels) of oil recovered

No tank downtime

Sludge reduction 80% as per customer request