Method and apparatus for cleaning pressure vessels while under operation

摘要

A method for excavating solid materials within a pressurized storage tank by inserting a flexible lance under pressure within an outlet of the tank, the lance sealed off so that pressure is maintained in the tank, and flowing a pressurized fluid into the storage tank to excavate the solid material from the tank by allowing the material to be sucked out of the outlet port of the tank for collection. The method also includes flowing water under pressure adjacent the exit port for affecting a greater suction on the solids and providing a fluid medium for the solids to easily flow from the tank. The system which undertakes the method of the present invention may be utilized on a skid so as to make the system occupy less space when utilized on the rig floor.