The tank contained 93 metric tons of rock-hard asphaltene tank bottoms as one solid mass. Typically, cleaning required up to 120 days using jack hammers to remove the solids. After 5 days of a bottom circulation at 77 – 82°C (170 – 180°F) with FQE Solvent-H, the tank solids were reduced to free-flowing coke.

A subsequent 12 hour circulation with FQE LEL-Vapor resulted in a successfully degassed tank and oil-free solids. The wash water was sent directly to waste water treatment.