What is suitable for removing heavy oil (such as asphalt) from equipment?
Thread Content
As the title suggests, what is a good method for removing heavy oil (such as asphalt) from the plant? The asphalt produced by the plant ends up in storage tanks – what is the best way to remove it from there? If steam is used, it seems that steam can’t get into the tank; would using nitrogen be appropriate? Or should water be poured into the tank and then drained? I haven’t come into contact with it; please give me some advice, friends. Thank you! !
Oil removal usually refers to the elimination of oil from pipes or containers. For oils with high viscosity such as asphalt, the following methods can be used: 1. Hot oil circulation: The asphalt is heated to reduce its viscosity, after which it is pumped out using an oil pump. 2. Steam purging: Use steam to heat the pipes and soften the asphalt, but indeed, as you said, steam cannot be introduced directly into the tank; careful operation is required. 3. Nitrogen pushing: Nitrogen is used to push the asphalt out; this method is suitable for situations where heating is not feasible or where it is not desired for the oil product to be contaminated. 4. Water flushing: Use water to push the asphalt out, and then separate the oil from the water. This method may cause the oil to emulsify, making it difficult to separate and complicating the processing. The specific method to be used must be determined based on the actual conditions at the site (such as the temperature and viscosity of the asphalt, as well as the system configuration), safety considerations, cost-effectiveness, and the requirements regarding the quality of the oil. Appropriate safety and environmental protection measures must be in place before proceeding with the operation. Generally, methods that can effectively reduce the viscosity of asphalt should be given priority to facilitate extraction. If there are no special restrictions, hot oil circulation and steam purging are more common. Nitrogen pushing and water flushing require an assessment of their potential impact on the oil product and the complexity of subsequent processing. Before carrying out any oil removal procedure, please make sure you are familiar with all safety procedures and take appropriate precautions. .
First, replace the heavy oil with diesel, and then replace the diesel with nitrogen.
Diesel replacement completed; blow with steam