The Problem
Tank #1986 at Ector Station out in Odessa TX, a 114ft diameter crude oil tank storing WTS. The problem was that the existing tank mixer had not been working for a number of years and needed replacing. Owner/Operator had gauged the tank bottoms to be 18” to 48” in peaks and valleys. This translated to 5,781 bbls of deposition, with a 90% recoverable hydrocarbon content at $55/bbl of $286,159.
Our Solution
A new tank mixer was purchased to assist with deposition suspension. The equipment selected was a Philadelphia Mixing Solution swivel-angle, BSER-28P-SA-25hp. The mixer was operated through its seven angles for 3 months, with each angle being held for 2 days. After 3 months the deposition had dropped by 3,007 bbls, leaving 2,774 bbls of “hard pan”. The tank mixer was able to suspend the “soft pan” bottom but not the “hard pan”. Hydrocarbon Solutions Tank Bottom Cleaner was added at the rate of 4 bbls chemical / 1000 bbls of deposition.
Results for Customer
After adding the Tank Bottom Cleaner, a small amount of oil was added sufficient to operate the tank mixer. After 1 month the tank was filled and the contents homogenized and shipped via pipeline to the main terminal. The 2,774 bbls of “hard pan” was gone! The tank mixer was able to suspend the “soft pan” bottoms and the chemical liquified the “hard pan”. As mentioned this translated to 5,781 bbls of deposition 90% recoverable hydrocarbon content $55/bbl (August 2005) a value of $286,159.