Crude oil storage tanks accumulate complex mixtures of heavy hydrocarbons, waxes, asphaltenes, water, and inorganic solids that create challenging cleaning scenarios. The composition varies dramatically based on crude slate, requiring customized approaches for effective cleaning. Understanding the history of crudes stored in the tank is essential to developing the right cleaning strategy.

FQE Chemicals’ approach to crude tank cleaning focuses on three critical objectives:

• Maximizing hydrocarbon recovery to offset project costs
• Minimizing waste generation to reduce disposal expenses
• Accelerating timelines to return assets to service faster

Our process begins with proper sampling to capture the true nature of deposits across the entire tank bottom. This detailed analysis allows us to select the optimal cutter solvent and treatment approach for your specific crude characteristics.

Our patented FQE Solvent-H chemistry dissolves and mobilizes heavy asphaltenes and waxy compounds at ambient temperatures—significantly faster than diesel while using far less cutter stock. The process involves introducing a measured amount of FQE Solvent-H with a selected cutter diluent into the tank, where it solvates and disperses high molecular weight compounds. We use a combination of cutter stock and Solvent-H to reduce and remove the heel, minimizing waste and cleaning time.