Tank cleaning apparatus and method

摘要

A knockdown tank-cleaning apparatus that is easily broken down and reassembled is provided. The tank-cleaning apparatus, when knocked down, easily fits through a standard man-way opening in the side of the tank. The tank-cleaning apparatus includes a knockdown frame having wheels releasably attached thereto. A header assembly is releasably attached to the front of the knockdown frame. The header assembly includes a cutter head releasably and rotatably disposed in the header assembly. The header may optionally include a throat portion, in which a cross-chopper assembly is disposed. Bottom-deposited materials are broken up by rotation of the cutter head. The loosened material is fed to the cross-chopper assembly where it is further reduced and formed into a slurry. The slurry is pumped from the tank to the exterior of the tank where reclamation of valuable materials from the slurry is performed.