Method for dispersion of sludge and for preparing a circulator for dispersing sludge

摘要

A method for cleaning the interior of storage tanks of the type used for storing large volumes of crude oil wherein hydrocarbon sludge accumulates with the passage of time. The method includes circulating the crude oil from the tank to a pump and then through the nozzle of a circulator having a gear member mounted to the periphery of a hollow rotor supporting the nozzle. A shaft driven worm gear in operative engagement with the gear member is positioned within a tube extending from the circulator, through an opening in a side of the tank that is closeable with a valve, to a position outside the storage tank. The worm gear, the gear member, the hollow rotor and the nozzle are rotated simultaneously with circulation of the crude oil through the nozzle of the circulator until the worm gear falls. The worm gear is then pulled through the tube to a position just past the valve, and the valve closed. The worm gear is then withdrawn from the tube, repaired or replaced, and reinserted into the tube to a position adjacent the closed valve. The valve is then opened, and the worm gear in inserted further into the tube until it engages the gear member, whereupon circulation of the crude oil simultaneously with rotation of the worm gear, gear member, hollow rotor and nozzle is resumed.