Robotic Cleaning and Sludge Removal Services
Indah Robotics Services Sdn Bhd (IRS) provides specialized efficient and effective services for the removal of sludge (sand/grit/residue) generated in tanks that store and process crude oil, petrochemicals, or other chemical products. The technology employed does not require shut downs or man entry, and includes resource recovery options as well as waste minimization opportunities. Overall, this results in improved health & safety, cost reductions, productivity gains with benefits to the environment through waste minimization.
About Us
IRS was established by like minded experienced professionals and Sureflo Techon Pvt Ltd to provide safe and environmentally friendly sludge removal services utilizing advanced robotic technologies within the ASEAN region. IRS offers a full range of innovative sludge removal capabilities and is able to deliver fast plant turnarounds and can even operate "24/7", if necessary.
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Excessive sludge buildup in process tanks affects overall plant performance, process output quality, often with increased cost as result of lower productivity and retention times.
IRS offers innovative technological solutions to managing sludge removal from tank systems (above & underground) that pose challenges to the entry of equipment, within restricted/limited confined space as well as the need to operate under unsafe, toxic or potentially explosive conditions.
IRS's team of trained technicians are able manage the various physical and work space challenges as well as to adhere and fully comply with all regulatory and client Health & Safety protocols. Similarly, all equipment utilized are specified per the requirements of the working environment.
IRS's valued propositions do not need plant shutdowns, are able to recover valuable resources, minimize waste, reduce costs, mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing productivity. Additionally, IRS is able to undertake cleaning of inner tank surfaces using water jets operated remotely and using chemicals, if necessary, providing a complete comprehensive service.
SECTORS
IRS services are focused on the municipal (water & sewerage) and industrial sectors, including refineries, petrochemicals as well as chemical plants.
✓ CRUDE OIL TANKS
✓ EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANT TANKS
✓ INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER LAGOONS
✓ WATER & SEWERAGE UNDERGROUND INLET SUMPS
✓ CHEMICAL & PETROCHEMICAL STORAGE TANKS
✓ ASH PONDS
✓ COOLING TOWER BASE
Stages of the Service
Each service may probably be separated into three stages (outlined next) where different equipment and/or processes can be applied. Prior to commencement of service, IRS will discuss and propose the most suitable processes which are able to yield the best results based upon site findings. At times, any particular stage maybe skipped or further refined based on the needs of the clients for cost/benefit considerations or environmental factors . In short, the most optimized solutions will be presented to clients and mutually agreed, prior to commencement of any work.
Initial Stage
The initial stage is undertaken with mobile physico-thermal process, where the sludge is “fluidized” enabling the pumping and subsequent mechanical separation of the sludge (solid, liquid separation), leading to economic recovery. Normally, this happens in tanks with a large volume (equipment entry into tank not possible) contaminated with sludge where the above approach provides the most optimized solution. When sufficient volume reduction has occurred allowing equipment entry through the manhole, the subsequent stage can begin.
Robot Entry Stage
Our robots are equipped with hydraulic motors, proportional and flow control solenoid valves, explosion-proof junction box, explosion-proof lamp as well as cameras with monitoring and recording capabilities. The robots normally enter via the tank manhole and are navigated to agitate/scavenge and transport the sludge out of the tank utilizing positive cavity pumps. The equipment are operated by experienced and specialized technicians using remote control outside the tank, located in a safe area. To eliminate any possibility of explosion or fire, all components fitted to the robots are hydraulically driven.
Separation
The sludge removed from the tank goes through several separation processes in stages to remove water and solid residues from the crude oil, chemicals or waste solutions. Our robotic systems due to the closed cleaning circuit and are able to recover up to 95% of the oil from crude oil residues, which is returned to the customer and the earnings usually cover the costs of cleaning and more. The final disposed material is often dry cake containing sand/sediment/residue resulting in big reductions in disposal cost due to volume reduction.