Crude Oil Storage Tank Cleaning
Crude oil sludge consists of 67% Oil, 25% Solids, and 8% Water. This thick substance collects at the bottom of oil tanks in refineries and tank farms, and causes several issues, including discharge line blockages and reduced storage capacity. Regular oil tank cleaning and sludge removal are necessary to maximize storage capacity and prevent blockages and accelerated corrosion. Each cleaning helps you effectively remove sludge and other oil contaminants, such as:
- Water
- Sand and Dirt
- Salts and Scale
- Waxes
- Asphaltene and Inorganic Substances
Hydrocarbon Decontamination and Recovery Using Our Tank Farm & Refinery Tank Cleaning Procedure
Using the right products and practices for crude oil tank cleaning is essential not only for effectiveness but to minimize the loss of valuable hydrocarbon fluids. Clean your crude oil tanks effectively using our JPX Crude Oil Storage Tank Cleaning Procedure. This tank farm & refinery tank cleaning procedure helps to recover as much oil as possible without significant solids contamination. The hydrocarbon fluids can then be economically processed as crude unit feed rather than a slop stream, which can be a refinery bottleneck.
Why Clean Oil Storage Tanks?
- Repair Leaks
- Recover Storage Capacity
- Eliminate Crude Unit Upsets
- Floating Roof Seal Replacement
- Coat the Floor
- Inspection
Traditional Methods for Tank Cleaning
There are two methods used for industrial tank cleaning:
- Sludge Removal: Shovel or vacuum truck, front end loader, remote mechanical devices, power spray nozzle.
- Hydrocarbon Recovery: Move to another crude tank, mix with crude in vat, belt press, centrifuge, separation tank.
Learn More About Oil and Hydrocarbon Recovery
Watch the video below to see how JPX oil tank cleaning products work to clean tanks while maximizing oil recovery.
Crude Oil Tank Cleaning Benefits
Regular cleaning of refinery tanks and oil storage tanks provides several benefits. You will notice an improved equipment capacity and better hydrocarbon recovery, along with less waste. Lower air emissions and a reduced danger of explosive and toxic vapors also create a safer work environment. Additional benefits of crude oil storage tank cleaning with JPX:
- Reduce Cleaning Time
- Reduce Labor Costs
- Provide Oil-Free Surfaces and Gas-Free environments ready for entry
Crude Oil Storage Tank Cleaning Procedure
Process and Equipment:
Step One: It is in your best interest to recover as much oil as possible without significant solids contamination. This oil can be economically processed as crude unit feed rather than as a slop stream, which is usually a refinery bottleneck.
Step Two: The crude remaining in the tank is diluted with an available hydrocarbon like diesel, kerosene or jet fuel and is pumped off until analysis shows that the crude available above the sludge is minimized. This is done in a bath process and permits maximum economic oil recovery.
Step Three: Introduce water and JPX into the tank to wash the sludge and float the dispersed oil to the surface for recovery. In order to contact the sludge with a wash mix, the sludge must be agitated to facilitate wash penetration. This is accomplished in various ways: side entry mixers, butter worth type mixers, and rotary nozzles inside manways or the roof ports. Many different types of rotating nozzles are available to agitate the sludge and allow wash mix contact. The number and location of the nozzles, as well as flow rates, would depend on the tank's access port number and location.
Step Four: The wash sludge mix is pumped from the tank and decanted to recover the oil and settle the sludge.
Step Five: If sour odors are present, then an additized version of JPX, JPX-E, can be utilized to eliminate the problem.
Pump at a flow rate based on nozzles specifications and numbers.
- Method for heating: steam via the exchanger
- Time for cleaning: weeks
- Time for de-emulsification: hours
- Condition of remaining waste: unknown
- Hazardous waste: heavy metals
- Sampling: Obtain a sample of sludge by thief device and test with diluents and JPX for concentration impact. Test sludge for % of oil concentration.
- Disposal: If the refinery has a delayed coker, water and dirt emulsion can be disposed of as quench water to coke drum.
JPX Hydrocarbon Decontamination and Refinery Cleaning Products
- JPX Refinery Decontamination Cleaner: A powerful cleaner that removes hydrocarbons, to permit easier vessel entry. This formula also eliminates internal clean-ups and reduces exchanger bundle cleaning time.
- JPX-E for Cleaning Sour Equipment (H₂S): Use this formula after JPX application for complete H2S removal. JPX-E is a biodegradable degreaser that handles the toughest refinery vessel cleaning jobs.
- JPX-EE for Neutralizing Pyrophoric Materials: Step three in the refinery cleaning and decontamination process. Add this formula during the steam injection or vapor phase, or use it with a degreasing circulation and refluxing rinse.
- JPX-F for Fin Fan Cleaning: We formulated this cleaner for area maintenance applications such as foaming cooler cleaning and fin-fan heat exchanger cleaning.
- JP-Scavenger and Deodorizer: This formula neutralizes odors from several gases, including H2S, ammonia, methyl mercaptan, and trimethylamine. Our JP-Scavenger formula is also effective at cleaning collection systems, sludge storage tanks, and other equipment in municipal treatment plants.
Do you have questions about industrial tank cleaning? We have over 30 years of experience serving the oil and gas industry. We deliver effective, high-quality cleaning formulas and offer customized products at a minimum cost.
Ask us about our oil tank sludge removal products and get tips on how to use them effectively. If you already know the exact product you need, please submit a quote request, and we will get back to you quickly.
