SOLVEX®
Tank Sludge Mobilization for Storage Systems
No Emulsification. No Modification. Fully Controlled.
Non-emulsifying operational method for mobilizing hydrocarbons from sludge, slop systems and storage assets using existing infrastructure.
- •No stable emulsions
- •No CAPEX
- •No process modification
- •Works in freshwater, seawater and brine
- •Fully reversible
Mobilization during circulation. Separation after stop.
Restores pumpability. Reduces sludge. Recovers hydrocarbons.
Validated under ASTM D1401 / ASTM D4007.
Designed for Storage Tank Systems
SOLVEX® operates within existing tank and handling infrastructure across storage terminals.
- •Uses existing pumps, lines and circulation
- •No change to process configuration
- •No additional equipment
- •No impact on downstream separation
Operates within normal terminal conditions.
What Happens in the Tank
- •Sludge becomes mobile
- •Hydrocarbons are released from solids
- •Flow is restored or improved
- •Oil phase becomes recoverable
Result
- •Reduced sludge volume
- •Improved pumpability
- •Recoverable hydrocarbons
Mobilization for recovery — not chemical cleaning.
Observed Phase Separation
- •No stable emulsions
- •Clear oil / water / solids layers
- •Recoverable hydrocarbon phase
No persistent emulsion formation.
Separation occurs after circulation stops.
Hydrocarbons remain separable under gravity.
Controlled by Circulation
- •Mobilization occurs during circulation
- •Separation starts when circulation stops
- •No persistent emulsions
- •No irreversible effect
Operator control
Stop circulation → system returns to natural separation behaviour.
No circulation → no mobilization.
Operational Effect
- •Releases hydrocarbons from sludge
- •Reduces adhesion to solids
- •Preserves oil / water / solids separation
- •Supports gravity-based recovery
What it avoids
- •No solvent dissolution
- •No stable emulsions
- •No process change
- •No additional equipment
Hydrocarbons are mobilized without loss of phase separation.
Hydrocarbons Accumulate in Storage Systems
Tank bottoms and slop systems contain recoverable hydrocarbons that become operational constraints when flow is lost.
Operational impact
- •Reduced storage capacity
- •Loss of pumpability
- •Increased downtime
- •Higher disposal volumes
- •Increased maintenance burden
These materials are trapped hydrocarbons inside operational systems.
Primary Applications
- •Slop tanks
- •Crude bottoms
- •Transfer systems
- •Storage tanks prior to maintenance
Objective
- •Recover hydrocarbons
- •Restore pumpable conditions
- •Reduce sludge handling volume
- •Improve maintenance readiness
Cleaning hydrocarbons is not the same as recovering hydrocarbons.
Designed for Progressive Deployment
- •Slop tank — initial controlled entry point
- •Storage tank — extension after validation
- •Transfer systems — operational integration
Same principle. Same infrastructure. Larger volume.
Operational Sequence
Execution
- •Uses existing tank systems
- •No shutdown required
- •No modification required
Observed in operation
- •Material becomes easier to move
- •Sludge volume reduces
- •Oil phase separates for handling
Typical Constraints
- •Non-pumpable sludge
- •Accumulated hydrocarbons
- •High disposal volume
- •Limited usable capacity
After application
- •Improved handling
- •Reduced sludge burden
- •Recoverable hydrocarbons
- •Lower operational pressure
Engineering Validation — Core Laboratories (Abu Dhabi)
- •ASTM D1401 — phase separation
- •ASTM D4007 — water content (BS&W)
Observed behaviour
- •No stable emulsions
- •Clear phase separation
- •Low residual water
Crude oil integrity
- •No change in hydrocarbon composition
- •No alteration of crude properties
- •Recovered oil consistent with original phase
Observed in Operational Systems
Nigeria
- •Sludge mobilization observed
- •Oil / water separation observed
- •Recovery of hydrocarbon phase
- •Restored pumpability
Venezuela
- •Heavy crude systems
- •High-viscosity conditions
- •Applicable to difficult environments
Validated in laboratory and field conditions.
SOLVEX® is Not a Cleaning Chemical
- •Not a degreaser
- •Not a dispersant
- •Not a solvent
- •Not a conventional tank cleaning method
SOLVEX® is:
Hydrocarbon Mobilization & Recovery Technology
Cleaning → Waste
Mobilization → Recovery
Deployment Platform — United Arab Emirates
- •UAE-based production
- •CoreLab validation (Abu Dhabi)
- •Regulatory pathway (Montaji)
- •Compatible with operator procedures
- •Aligned with terminal operating conditions
HSE profile
VOC-free • Non-flammable • Non-toxic • Biodegradable
Path to Technical Evaluation
Step 1 — Technical Review
Identify candidate tank or sludge system
Step 2 — Optional Laboratory Confirmation
Testing on operator-specific media if required
Step 3 — Controlled Deployment
Application within existing tank system
Step 4 — Evaluation & Scale-Up
Assessment and expansion within storage systems
Operates within standard terminal conditions.
Start within Existing Tank System
No modification. No disruption. Full control.
SOLVEX®
SOLVEX Industrial Solutions LLC — Abu Dhabi
babinski@solvexflow.com