1. BLABO process
The BLABO®
process

2. BLABO process
BLABO®
in brief
• Mobile and fully integrated
process system
• Combining automated
tank cleaning and oil recovery
• Patented
• 2-4 containerised modules
• Suitable for large ‘difficult-to-clean’
tanks
• Oil types: crude, HFO, slop oil etc.

3. BLABO process
The BLABO process
Suction module Recirculation module
Fixed or floating roof tank
Skimming module Separation module
Auxiliary equipment
Optional supply
Nitrogen generator
Office and workshop
container
Power generator,
steam supply and
other equipment
Oil
Water
Solids
Safe area
Tank wall
Hairpin pipe
Pontoon
Sump
Sludge
Support
leg
Vacuum pump
Nozzle
Pre-filter
Feed pump Control panel
Control panel
Coalescing plates Control
panel
Control
panel
Booster
pump
Hydrocyclones
Hydraulic unit
Shell & tube
heat exchanger
Decanter
Liquid/soids separation High-speed
oil/water separation
Directly to pipeline
To waste water treatment facilityReturn to recirculation for water wash
Gas
return
to tank
Recovered oil
To waste water
treatment facility
Plate heat exchanger

4. BLABO process
The BLABO®
tank cleaning
and oil recovery processes step-by-step

5. BLABO process
Mobilisation
Sample mobilisation plan
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6. BLABO process
Mobilisation
Example from Libya
BLABO® on-site
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7. BLABO process
Mobilisation
Example from China
BLABO® on-site
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8. BLABO process
Mobilisation
Sample nozzle distribution plan
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9. BLABO process
Mobilisation
Nozzles on tank roof
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10. BLABO process
Mobilisation
Hairpin pipe
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11. BLABO process
Mobilisation
View inside the tank to be cleaned
Pontoon
Extra nozzles
Nozzle
Hairpin pipe
To BLABO
Suction module
Sump
Sludge
Support
leg
Tank
wall
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From BLABO
Re-circulation module

12. BLABO process
Fixed roof tanks
Nozzle
From BLABO
Re-circulation module
To BLABO
Suction module
Sump
Sludge
Tank
wall
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13. BLABO process
Mobilisation
Safety precautions
Strict personal, mechanical/electrical and
environmental safety procedures are part
of the Oreco training programme and must
be completed before starting the process:
• Fire prevention
• Oxygen concentration in the tank
• Definition of safety areas (ATEX and EEX)
• Prevention of static electricity / inertisation
• Personal protection equipment
• Instruction in emergency procedures
• Oil safety precautions
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14. BLABO process
The BLABO®
tank cleaning
and oil recovery processes step-by-step

15. BLABO process
Tank blanketing
BLABO
Oreco NitroGen
Nitrogen
Tank cleaning nozzle
Tank roof

16. BLABO process
A full NitroGen installation
Air
inlet
Air
compressor
Refrigeration
dryer
Air
buffer
tank
PSA
separation
units
Nitrogen
buffer
tank
Nitrogen
outlet
Filters
Inlet pressure
requirement of
7.5 bar
Refrigeration dryer
removes impurities
from compressed air
Stock of air
to feed
generator
Separates the
compressed air
Stock of pure
nitrogen

17. BLABO process
The BLABO®
tank cleaning
and oil recovery processes step-by-step

18. BLABO process
Desludging
Purpose
Purpose of the de-sludging phase:
• First phase of the cleaning process ensuring maximum removal of
the sludge in the tank.
How is it done?
• Starting with operating the nozzles closest to the feed pump.
• Cutter stock is used to re-suspend waxy sludge, if needed.
• Heating the sludge to fluidise it, if needed.
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19. BLABO process
The BLABO®
tank cleaning
and oil recovery processes step-by-step

20. BLABO process
Cleaning
Optimal cleaning result
• Cleaning is up to 6 times faster
compared to manual cleaning.
• Unique washing pattern covers
complete interior tank surface
area.
• Re-circulating sludge is used
as cleaning media.
• Programmed washing
sequences
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21. BLABO process
The BLABO®
tank cleaning
and oil recovery processes step-by-step

22. BLABO process
Separation
Solid/Liquid and Liquid/Liquid
Close to 100% of the
hydrocarbons are recovered and
can be re-processed.
For disposal to on-site treatment
facility.
Mainly inorganic material (sand
rust), however containing
hydrocarbons. For further
treatment or final deposition
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23. BLABO process
Separation
Cleaned-out sludge
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24. BLABO process
The BLABO®
tank cleaning
and oil recovery processes step-by-step

25. BLABO process
De-mobilisation
Dismantling – and on to next job …
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26. BLABO process
The BLABO®
tank cleaning
and oil recovery processes step-by-step