Method and apparatus for removing sludge deposits from oil storage tanks

1. An apparatus for removing sludge deposits in oil storage tanks, the apparatus comprising:

a rigid conduit having a proximal end and a connection end, the connection end connectable to a pressurized liquid supply;

a pivotal connection connected to the proximal end of the rigid conduit;

a spray nozzle having a proximal end and a discharge end, the proximal end of the spray nozzle connected to the pivotal connection so that the spray nozzle is pivotal a limited amount in any direction around the proximal end of the spray nozzle; and

two movement actuators operative to pivot the spray nozzle around the proximal end of the spray nozzle in any direction,

wherein the two movement actuators comprise a first hydraulic cylinder operatively connected between the rigid conduit and the spray nozzle so that the first hydraulic cylinder pivots the spray nozzle around the pivotal connection and the proximal end of the spray nozzle in a first direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection is a ball and socket.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two-movement actuators further comprise a second hydraulic cylinder operatively connected between the rigid conduit and the spray nozzle so that the second hydraulic cylinder pivots the spray nozzle around the pivotal connection and the proximal end of the spray nozzle in a second direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first direction is vertical relative to the rigid conduit and the second direction is horizontal relative to the rigid conduit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressurized liquid supply is a hose.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a guide plate provided on the rigid conduit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cover having an opening sized to allow the rigid conduit to slide through the opening.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a feed actuator operably connectable between the rigid conduit and the cover to force the rigid conduit through the opening in the cover.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the feed actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a seal is provided to form a seal between the opening and the rigid conduit when the rigid conduit is positioned passing through the opening.

11. A system for removing sludge deposits in oil storage tanks, the system comprising:

an assembly comprising:

a manway cover attachable to a manway of a tank;

a flange member provided on the manway cover with an aperture passing through the manway cover and inside the flange member;

a valve operatively connected to the flange member;

a spool operatively connected to the valve at a first end and having a flange at a second end; and

a cover attachable to the flange at the second end of the spool and having an opening passing therethrough, and

a jet nozzle comprising:

a rigid conduit having a proximal end and a connection end, the connection end connectable to a pressurized liquid supply and the rigid conduit sized to slide through the opening in the cover of the assembly;

a pivotal connection connected to the proximal end of the rigid conduit;

a spray nozzle having a proximal end and a discharge end, the proximal end of the spray nozzle connected to the pivotal connection so that the spray nozzle is pivotal a limited amount in any direction around the proximal end of the spray nozzle; and

two movement actuators operative to pivot the spray nozzle around the proximal end of the spray nozzle in any direction,

wherein the valve is operatively connected between the flange member and the spool,

and wherein the spray nozzle, the pivotal connection and the rigid conduit have outer dimensions that are less than inner dimensions of the aperture in the manway cover, the flange member, an open port of the valve and the spool,

whereby the spray nozzle, the pivotal connection and the rigid conduit can pass through the aperture in the manway cover, the flange member, the open port of the valve and the spool.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the rigid conduit is longer than the assembly.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the pivotal connection is a ball and socket.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the two movement actuators comprise a first hydraulic cylinder operatively connected between the rigid conduit and the spray nozzle so that the first hydraulic cylinder pivots the spray nozzle around the pivotal connection and the proximal end of the spray nozzle in a first direction.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the the two-movement actuators further comprise a second hydraulic cylinder operatively connected between the rigid conduit and the spray nozzle so that the second hydraulic cylinder pivots the spray nozzle around the pivotal connection and the proximal end of the spray nozzle in a second direction.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the first direction is vertical relative to the rigid conduit and the second direction is horizontal relative to the rigid conduit.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the pressurized liquid supply is a hose.

18. The system of claim 11 further comprising a guide plate provided on the rigid conduit.

19. The system of claim 11 further comprising a cover having an opening sized to allow the rigid conduit to slide through the opening.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising a feed actuator operable connectable between the rigid conduit and the cover to force the rigid conduit through the opening in the cover.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the feed actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.

22. The system of claim 11 wherein a seal is provided to form a seal between the opening and the rigid conduit when the rigid conduit is positioned through the opening.