Method for removing deposited slag from crude oil trough and recovering oil from it

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for recovering oil with various uses by removing sludge in crude oil storage tanks and separating inorganic substances from the heat transfer oil flowing out from the distillation tower of an oil refinery, wherein the heat transfer oil is such as atmospheric heavy oil, vacuum residue or Vacuum gas oil. The advantages of this method are that air pollution is minimized due to the use of a closed system, the cleaning time of crude oil storage tanks is significantly shortened, and sludge is removed continuously. In addition, the recovered oil can be used as fuel oil, bunker oil, or as a feedstock for secondary treatment processes such as heavy oil quality improvement processes.

Description

technical field

[0001] This invention generally relates to methods for removing sludge that accumulates in crude oil tanks and recovering oil therefrom while crude oil is stored in a refinery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for recovering oil useful for various purposes by removing sludge in crude oil storage tanks using heat transfer oil such as Atmospheric heavy oil, vacuum residue and vacuum gas oil. Background technique

[0002] In general, the term "crude oil" refers to untreated or unrefined oil collected from beneath the earth's surface. Problems arise if impurities settle on the bottom of the oil sump. Impurities come from various sources, and some of these impurities are inherent to the crude oil itself. Sludge is formed when pre-existing solids, and pipe and tank wall rust, and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons separate from the light hydrocarbons and settle to the bottom of the storage tank. This sludge exists as a stable emuls...

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