Technical field of the invention

This invention relates to a device and method for cleaning tanks.

Background to the invention

The inventor is aware of the difficulty of removing sludge, corrosion buildup and other solid contaminants in liquid storage tanks such as fuel tanks. Typically the tank will be drained and a person will enter the liquid storage tank via a manhole and manually clean the inside surface of the tank. Often a manhole is not provided, particularly for smaller tanks. The inventor is also aware that the tank cannot be used during such a cleaning process and often the atmosphere inside the tank is toxic and/ or combustible and cleaning personnel is required take special precautions and to wear appropriate personal protection equipment.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tank cleaning device and method which do not suffer from the abovementioned disadvantages.

General description of the invention

According to the invention there is provided a cleaning device for cleaning a tank, which device includes: a flexible inlet hose, which is configured to attach to an opening provided in a tank and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank; and an agitator unit fitted proximate the free end of the inlet hose.

The cleaning device may preferably also include a hose rotating unit. The device may also be provided with a hose swivel unit. The hose rotating unit may include a hollow sleeve with an inlet hose connector at one end and an outlet hose connector at the other end. The inlet and outlet hose connectors may be axially aligned. The hose swivel unit may be a rotating unit with a bend, i.e. the inlet and outlet of the rotating unit may be arranged at an angle to each other. The inlet and outlet hose connectors may preferably each be connected to the sleeve via sealed bearing unit defining a fluid pathway through the rotating or swivel unit.

The agitator unit may be in the form of a sleeve which fits over or onto the free end of the flexible hose provided with protrusions, stubs, a brush or the like which will contact and agitate the inner surface of a tank when the hose moves inside the tank. The agitation serves to loosen and suspend particles which settled or formed on the inner surface of the tank.

It is to be understood that the hose and its associated agitator unit will be moved, in use, by backward reaction forces of fluid moving through and out of the hose into the tank, typically fuel which is being filtered or cleaned and returned to the tank.

The cleaning device may also include an anchor base or a fixing means for anchoring or fixing the cleaning device, in use, to an opening provided on the tank. The anchor base may be an access hole or manhole attachment means, which includes bracing means for bracing against the inner lip of the hole. The anchor base or fixing means may also be configured to allow or fit an outlet hose there through. The invention also extends to a method for cleaning a fluid containing tank, which method includes the steps of: attaching a tank cleaning device as described above to a tank opening and pumping fluid through the device into the tank to allow backward reaction force to move the agitator in a random manner inside the tank to loosen and suspend particles on the inner surface of the tank; and removing the agitated fluid from the tank.

The method may include pumping fluid, such as fuel, from the tank, filtering the fluid and returning the fluid back to the tank through the cleaning device.

It is to be appreciated that the tank can be used while the tank is being cleaned. No manhole is required and the tank does not have to be emptied and cleaned manually by a person. The tank cleaning device can, preferably be used by a filtering and liquid cleaning system and the cleaned liquid can be returned to the tank. The method can be used intermittently or continuous with a liquid cleaning and returning system. The method is non-hazardous to personnel.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a tank cleaning device, in accordance with the invention. Referring now to the drawing, the tank cleaning device, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The cleaning device 10 for cleaning a tank 12 includes a flexible inlet hose 14, which is configured to attach to an opening 16 provided in the tank and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank. The device 10 further includes an agitator unit 18 in the form of a ridged attachment which fits over and is attached to the hose proximate the free end of the flexible inlet hose 14. The cleaning device 10 also includes a hose rotating unit 22. The hose rotating unit 22 includes a hollow sleeve 24 with an inlet hose connector 26 at one end and an outlet hose connector 28 at the other end. The inlet and outlet hose connectors 26 and 28 are axially aligned. The inlet and outlet hose connectors are connected to the sleeve via sealed bearing units 30 and 32 defining a fluid pathway through the rotating unit 22.

The cleaning device 10 also include a fixing means 34 for fixing the device, in use, to the opening 16 provided on the tank. The fixing means 34 is provided with an opening to allow an outlet hose 36 there through.

It shall be understood that the example is provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.