Sludge Buildup in Diesel Storage Tanks 1

Gentlemen,<br><br>First of all allow me to introduce myself. I am a Chemical Engineer currently working in Refineria El Palito in Venezuela. I currently hold the possition of Process Engineer in the Storage/Blending area, where I have been for the past two years. My previous experience is in the HF Alky plant in the same refinery. <br><br>Over the years we have had problem of sludge buildup which implies annual cleanup of the tanks. We had the sludge analyzed and it turned out to be of organic origin, not from microorganisms, but rather fron reactions of nitrogen and sulfur compounds present in the blending components.<br><br>I would like to know if any of you working in refineries have any succesful experience in handling this problem such as additives or filtering systems for reduction of sludge buildup.If so please send the address, webpage or e-mail of your current provider in order to get in touch with them.

 

[jhelm]

Here is a solution that will not eliminate the sludge but will prevent it from building up. I have seen many diesel storage tanks fitted with side entry agitators that maintain enough circulation in the tanks to keep the solids from settling, so they are pumped out with the diesel. Since it is an ongoing process, very minor amounts of solids leave with the product at any time and a sludge build-up is avoided. Several major manufacturers of agitators have extensive experience with this service. One that I am familiar with is Chemineer, Inc. Their website is

http://www.Chemineer.com.

Local technical representatives can be found on the website.