The Oil Tank Cleaning Robot is a next-generation industrial tank cleaning system designed for safe, efficient, and fully controlled removal of oil sludge and sediment in hazardous environments. It replaces traditional manual cleaning with a remote-controlled, explosion-proof robotic solution, ensuring maximum safety, higher productivity, and significant operational cost savings.
This system is widely recognized as a core solution in industrial tank cleaning robot applications, especially for crude oil storage, petrochemical tanks, and large-scale fuel storage facilities.
Oil Tank Cleaning Robot Parameters
| Parameter | YG450 | YG500 | YG600 | YG700 | YG800 | YG900 | YG1200 |
| Robot Dimensions (mm) | ≤1700 × 450 × 450 | 1500 × 500 × 650 | 1500 × 600 × 650 | 1600 × 700 × 650 | 1600 × 850 × 700 | 1650 × 960 × 750 | 1900 × 1200 × 750 |
| Applicable Manhole / Access | ≥600 mm opening | ≥600 mm opening | ≥600 mm opening | ≥700 mm opening | ≥800 mm opening | ≥900 mm opening | Large culvert / open access |
| Dredging Width (mm) | 450 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | Suitable for large culverts |
| Travel Speed (m/s) | 3–12 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 0–17 m/min |
| Pump Diameter (inch) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 or 6 |
| Pump Flow (m³/h) | 50 | 100 | 100 | 160 | 160 | 200 | 250 |
| Pump Head (m) | 0-30 | 0–30 | 0–30 | 0–25 | 0–25 | 0–25 | 0–30 (Horizontal: 100–150 m) |
| Hydraulic Station Dimensions (mm) | 2000 × 1100 × 1500 (recommended) | 2200 × 1200 × 1700 | 2200 × 1200 × 1700 | 2200 × 1200 × 1700 | 2200 × 1200 × 1700 | 2200 × 1200 × 1700 | 2120 × 1240 × 1200 |
| Main Motor Power (kW) | 11–15 kW | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 45 kW (50 kW) / Diesel 76 kW (123 kW) |
| Hydraulic System Pressure (MPa) | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | Custom / high-pressure system |
| Particle Size Capacity (mm) | ≤10–20 mm (soft sludge) | 15 | 15 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 0–40 (customizable) |
| Winch Speed (r/min) | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 |
| Pipe Length (m) | 20–30 optional | 30–50 optional | 30–50 optional | 30–50 optional | 30–50 optional | 30–50 optional | 30 m/pack, high-pressure resistant |
| Control System | Wireless Remote Control | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote |
| Lighting System | Underwater LED ×2 | Underwater LED ×2 | Underwater LED ×2 | Underwater LED ×2 | Underwater LED ×2 | Underwater LED ×2 | Underwater LED ×2 |
Why Choose an Oil Tank Cleaning Robot?
Traditional tank cleaning methods rely heavily on manual entry, exposing workers to toxic gases, explosive atmospheres, and confined space risks. Our robotic system eliminates these hazards while improving operational efficiency.
Key Economic & Operational Benefits
- Up to 80% reduction in labor cost by eliminating manual entry
- Significantly reduced downtime, keeping tanks operational faster
- Higher oil recovery rate from sludge through efficient separation
- Lower safety and insurance risks in hazardous environments
- Long-term ROI improvement compared to manual cleaning or outsourcing
The system is designed not only for cleaning performance, but also for measurable industrial cost optimization.
Advanced Engineering Design of Oil Tank Cleaning Robot
The system integrates mechanical breaking, hydraulic jetting, and vacuum extraction into one intelligent platform.
Core Technical Functions
- Explosion-proof structure for hazardous oil and gas environments
- No-man-entry operation system, ensuring complete personnel safety
- Modular robotic configuration for different tank sizes and sludge conditions
- High-pressure jet system (15–30 MPa) for sludge loosening and wall cleaning
- Auger crushing system for hardened oil sludge and sediment layers
- Vacuum negative-pressure extraction system for long-distance sludge transport
These integrated functions allow the robot to handle high-viscosity, semi-solid, and hardened oil sludge conditions efficiently.
Two-Configuration System for Different Tank Conditions
To meet different industrial requirements, the system is available in two specialized configurations:
Heavy-Duty Explosion-Proof Cleaning Robot (Mainline System)
Designed for large and medium crude oil tanks, this system focuses on high-volume sludge removal.
Key Features
- 600mm manhole access compatibility
- Auger crushing + high-pressure jet synergy system
- Strong sludge mobilization and flow formation capability
- Stable vacuum negative-pressure extraction over long distances
- Continuous operation for heavy sludge environments
Best Suited For
- Crude oil storage tanks
- Petrochemical storage facilities
- Large industrial fuel tanks
- High-density sludge accumulation tanks
Compact Precision Cleaning Robot (Edge & Complex Areas)
Designed for precision cleaning in confined or complex tank structures.
Key Features
- Narrow crawler chassis for restricted access areas
- Articulated suction arm with directional control
- High maneuverability for corners and obstacles
- Targeted sludge extraction capability
- Explosion-proof optional configuration
Best Suited For
- Small and medium storage tanks
- Tank corners and residual sludge zones
- Complex internal tank structures
Integrated Tank Cleaning & Recovery System
The Oil Tank Cleaning Robot operates as part of a closed-loop industrial system, ensuring maximum efficiency and resource recovery.
System Highlights
- Sludge is mechanically broken down by auger + jet system
- Converted into pumpable slurry for stable transport
- Vacuum extraction via sludge truck or industrial pump system
- Oil-water-solid separation using centrifuge or hydrocyclone
- Recovered oil and water can be reused depending on facility setup
This ensures minimum waste, maximum resource utilization, and improved environmental compliance.
Industry Applications Overview
The system is widely used across multiple high-risk industrial sectors, including:
- Oil & Gas storage tank facilities
- Petrochemical and refinery plants
- Industrial fuel storage systems
- Energy and power generation fuel tanks
- Waste oil and sludge storage systems
It is also compatible with broader systems such as:
- sludge removal robot systems
- industrial tank cleaning robot solutions
- no-man-entry robots for hazardous environments
Engineering Strength & Supply Chain Assurance
Elephant Machinery provides not only equipment, but a complete industrial support system:
- Professional engineering team for customized tank cleaning solutions
- Equipment configuration tailored to tank size and sludge type
- Strong in-house R&D and manufacturing capability
- Stable production capacity for global delivery
- Long-term spare parts supply and maintenance support
- Experience in exporting industrial equipment to global markets
Customers receive not just a machine, but a reliable long-term industrial solution platform.
Safety & Compliance Advantages
Safety is the core of this system design:
- Explosion-proof certified electrical and hydraulic systems
- Real-time gas monitoring (H₂S / LEL / O₂) compatibility
- Anti-static grounding and bonding system
- Emergency interlock shutdown protection
- Ventilation and inerting system compatibility
These features ensure safe operation in high-risk oil and gas environments.
FAQ about Oil Tank Cleaning Robot
Q1: Can this system handle hardened oil sludge?
Yes. The auger crushing and high-pressure jet system is designed specifically for hardened and semi-solid sludge conditions.
Q2: Is it suitable for explosive environments?
Yes. The entire system is explosion-proof and designed for hazardous industrial applications.
Q3: What tank sizes can it be used for?
It supports both large crude oil tanks and smaller industrial storage tanks, with modular configuration options.
Q4: Does it require manual entry during operation?
No. The system is fully no-man-entry, operated remotely for maximum safety.
Q5: Can it be customized?
Yes. We provide customized configurations based on sludge type, tank size, and project requirements.
