초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for removal of sludge (26) from a tank (10) having a floating roof (16) floating on the upper surface of oil within the tank (10). Discharge nozzles (58) are received within existing sleeves (22) on the floating roof (16) and positioned adjacent the upper surface of the sludge (

Apparatus and method for removal of sludge (26) from a tank (10) having a floating roof (16) floating on the upper surface of oil within the tank (10). Discharge nozzles (58) are received within existing sleeves (22) on the floating roof (16) and positioned adjacent the upper surface of the sludge (26) for the recirculation of the contents of tank (10) directly into the sludge (26) from a position above the sludge (26). A recirculation pump (30) provides pressurized fluid to a manifold (48) on roof (16) for distribution through flexible lines (54) to the discharge nozzles (58).

대표청구항 ▼

A process for removing sludge settled on the bottom of a fixed tank in which a roof floats on the surface of a liquid above the sludge and has a plurality of vertically extending support legs removably connected within associated sleeves secured to the roof and adapted to support the roof at a prede

A process for removing sludge settled on the bottom of a fixed tank in which a roof floats on the surface of a liquid above the sludge and has a plurality of vertically extending support legs removably connected within associated sleeves secured to the roof and adapted to support the roof at a predetermined minimum height of the roof above the bottom of the tank; said process including the steps of: providing a pump for the recirculation of the liquid within the tank including an inlet line extending from a side of the tank and a positive pressure outlet line extending to the roof within the tank; removing at least one support leg from the associated sleeve; positioning a discharge nozzle and associated discharge line within said associated sleeve with said discharge nozzle being supported from said sleeve in suspended relation and adjustable in height on said sleeve for positioning said nozzle below said sleeve at a predetermined height relative to the upper surgace of the sludge and said discharge line being in fluid communication with said positive pressure outlet line; recirculating the liquid from the bottom of the tank through the discharge line for discharge from the discharge nozzle at a relatively high velocity to churn and break up the sludge deposits on the bottom of the tank for discharge from the tank with the associated liquid thereby to minimize any settling of sludge on the bottom of the tank; and removing the contents of the tank for further processing. Apparatus for removing sludge deposits in situ from the bottom of a fixed cylindrical tank comprising: a floating horizontal extending circular roof within the tank supported on the upper surface of the liquid within the tank with the sludge being positioned below the roof; a pluralilty of sleeves positioned at predetermined horizontally spaced locations on the roof and extending through openings in the roof at said predetermined locations for providing access therethrough to the interior of the tank, said sleeves adapted to receive removable support legs therein for supporting the roof in a spaced relation to the bottom of the tank upon emptying of the tank; a plurality of fluid discharge lines received within a plurality of predetermined sleeves with each discharge line having at the lower end an associated discharge nozzle suspended in supporting relation from an associated sleeve, means for positioning each discharge nozzle on the associated sleeve at a predetermined height relative to the upper surface of the sludge in the tank; a fluid manifold supported on said roof and connected to said plurality of fluid discharge lines; and a recirculating pump providing fluid under pressure to said fluid manifold and receiving fluid from said tank.