# US 2019/0168271 A1 · Reduced emissions method of cleaning hydrocarbon separator and storage tanks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168271 A1 - Document ID: US20190168271A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/206,432 - Filed: 2018-11-30 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01 - Assignees: Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. - Applicants: Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. - Inventors: Bailey WALTON; Jody CONAWAY; Jessica WALLACE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168271A1 ## CPC - B08B 9/0813: {by the force of jets or sprays} - B08B 9/08: Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks - B08B 2209/08: Details of machines or methods for cleaning containers, e.g. tanks - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method for cleaning a storage tank, comprising isolating the tank; creating a vortex within the tank by pumping fluid through one or more nozzles disposed within the tank, thereby dislodging sediment within the tank; and connecting a suction source to a drain located on a bottom of the tank, thereby removing the fluid and sediment without exposure to air. Each nozzle may comprise one or more sub-nozzles positioned to direct fluid flow to assist in creation of the vortex and removal of the fluid and sediment. A storage tank, comprising one or more nozzles disposed within the tank such that fluid may be pumped through the nozzles to create a vortex within the tank; and a drain line located on a bottom of the tank such that a suction source may be connected and contents of the tank removed without exposure to air. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for cleaning a storage tank, comprising: isolating the tank; creating a vortex within the tank by pumping fluid through one or more nozzles disposed within the tank, thereby dislodging sediment within the tank; and connecting a suction source to a drain located on a bottom of the tank, thereby removing the fluid and sediment from the tank without exposure to air. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein isolating the tank comprises closing all lines into and out of the tank under a predetermined height except for the one or more nozzles and wherein the predetermined height is determined based on at least an anticipated height of sediment build-up and an anticipated volume of fluid needed to dislodge the sediment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more nozzles comprise three nozzles. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the tank is cylindrical and the three nozzles are placed 120 degrees apart around a wall of the tank. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more nozzles each comprise one or more sub-nozzles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more nozzles each comprise two sub-nozzles. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein a first sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow perpendicular to a wall of the tank. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein a second sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow 22.5 degrees inward towards a center of the tank compared to the first sub-nozzle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tank is included in a tank battery and wherein the tank is cleaned without affecting operation of other tanks in the tank battery. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more nozzles are disposed within the tank at a height of six inches from the bottom of the tank. ### Claim 11 A storage tank, comprising: one or more nozzles disposed within the tank such that fluid may be pumped through the one or more nozzles to create a vortex within the tank; and a drain line located on a bottom of the tank such that a suction source may be connected and contents of the tank removed without exposure to air. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The storage tank of claim 11, wherein the one or more nozzles comprise three nozzles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The storage tank of claim 12, wherein the tank is a cylinder and the three nozzles are placed 120 degrees apart around a wall of the tank. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The storage tank of claim 11, wherein the one or more nozzles each comprise two sub-nozzles. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The storage tank of claim 14, wherein a first sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow perpendicular to a wall of the tank. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The storage tank of claim 15, wherein a second sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow 22.5 degrees inward towards a center of the tank compared to the first sub-nozzle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The storage tank of claim 11, wherein the one or more nozzles are disposed within the tank at a height of six inches from a bottom of the tank. ### Claim 18 A nozzle assembly for cleaning a storage tank, the nozzle assembly comprising one or more nozzles configured to be located within the storage tank such that a fluid pumped through the one or more nozzles will induce a vortex within the storage tank. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The nozzle assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the one or more nozzles comprises one or more sub-nozzles. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The nozzle assembly of claim 19, wherein each of the one or more sub-nozzles is positioned to aid in inducement of the vortex within the storage tank.