Oil & Gas Innovation OGI Autumn 2019 | Page 58

Revolution in Tank cleaning starts with the ESOT system! Zone2 The background of the ADROC Tech team is based in a long-term experience working for nuclear power plants. Over the course of 20 years, we have developed and manufactured many remote- control rovers and manipulators which have been used at many nuclear power plants – in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Belgium and the UK – for decontamination, cleaning radioactive waste and sludge retrieval. Zone0 The ESOT system was developed and manufactured by ADROC Tech a European company that leads in the design and manufacture of remote controlled rovers and manipulators for the nuclear industry. We pride ourselves on being an industry leader. Rover ADEX is the first ATEX Zone 0 certified vehicle available in Europe. Our original ESOT consists of a remotely operated ADEX rover (certified for ATEX Zone 0) and a TVC cabin (certified for ATEX Zone 2) where the rover is operated and controlled. There are four TV cameras, certified for ATEX Zone 0. Thanks to the extensive cameras, the operator can control the movement of the rover inside the tank via remote control. Since the original development and ATEX certification of ESOT, we have continued to improve and innovate our system. Over the last year we have implemented following innovations: - Automatic modes in robotic cleaning - Less intensive manual work outside the tank - Improved lighting for enhanced visibility in the tank - Modernized environment allows two consecutive shifts to be undertaken in the TVC cabin per day ESOT is an innovative solution for oil sludge removal, including the cleaning of black and white oil storage tanks. The real HSEQ improvement it has produced within the Oil & Gas industry is undisputable. Three ESOT systems were delivered to companies specializing in tank-cleaning services based in the Netherlands within two years. A single company (ST-Cleaning ) proved the exceptional capabilities of the ESOT system by cleaning over 30 crude oil tanks in a period of 24 months (across the Netherland, Belgium and Germany). During this period, the client did not report any problem or defect with our ESOT system. Tough limitations and controls have been established by nuclear regulatory bodies and national authorities in order to protect personnel working inside radioactive environments with carcinogenic effects. Crude oil storage tanks (with the oil sludge they accumulate) prove to be a similarly dangerous environment. Thankfully, new REACH legislation brings more light to this dark environment. Nowadays, most crude oil storage tanks or other hydrocarbon tanks are cleaned using several so-called “NO MAN ENTRY” systems, where using extensive manual labor for final cleaning is still necessary. Deficient regulation in the oil industry may not be a matter of principle for cleaning companies or tank farm providers. Our unique ESOT system is simple and effective; it has been proven reliable and safe; and provides a rapid return on Investment. With the ESOT system now available to service-provider companies within the oil and gas industry, there is now an opportunity to supply SAFE solution to clients, “SAFETY FIRST”. By utilizing the ESOT system, contractors can guarantee the minimal use of manual labor in oil tanks, with a reduction close to 90 % in comparison to conventional manual cleaning and sludge suction. ESOT enables contractors (which owned canons or other jetting systems) to reduce the manpower needed during the final cleaning phase. Canons, and similar cleaning systems, produce diluted sludge on the tank floor at the end of the first cleaning phase, which puts staff at a high risk of contamination and exposure to carcinogenic substances. The nuclear industry generally accepts the principle (referred to as ALARA or ALARP) that exposure to dangerous environments and substances should be reduced as far as possible where it is reasonably achievable. The ADROC Tech Company and its associates aim to follow a similar principle in the oil industry in order to reduce, as much as possible, the dangers faced by its personnel. ADROC Tech Ltd. 919 29 Malženice 233 Slovak Republic Email: o? [email protected] Phone: +421 33 732 0548 www.adroctech.com