Method and apparatus for sludge removal from a tank
US9370806B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB08B9/08
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and system of processing and removing hydrocarbon sludge from a tank wherein the hydrocarbon sludges are the product of gravity settling in the bottom of the tank to form a sludge consisting of inorganic and organic materials not readily flowable or pumpable for removal in the found state and where a process is used to selectively separate, grind, disperse and suspend these materials with a mechanical classifier system, and where flow agents may be metered to effect a slurry stream directed thru a nozzle system towards the sludge in the tank and by reducing the surface tension and mechanical conditioning of the sludge, create a pumpable slurry that may be removed from the tank with minimal time, cost and environmental impact.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.