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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-11-10 Origin: Site
Crude oil storage tanks play an important role in petroleum terminals, oil refineries, and oil & gas facilities. During storage, crude oil may contain water, sand, sediment, wax, and other impurities. Depending on the crude oil properties and storage conditions, these materials may gradually accumulate at the bottom of the tank.
This can reduce the effective storage capacity, increase tank cleaning requirements, and affect subsequent oil handling operations.
For large crude oil storage tanks, side entry mixers are commonly used to promote liquid circulation, improve mixing uniformity, and help control sediment accumulation.
But why are side entry mixers often preferred for large storage tanks? Let's take a closer look.
Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with varying physical and chemical properties. Its viscosity, density, water content, and solid impurities can differ significantly depending on its origin.
Several mixing challenges may occur during storage.
Sand, mineral particles, corrosion products, and other solid impurities may settle at the bottom of a storage tank under gravity.
Over time, accumulated sediment can form a relatively thick layer, reducing the usable tank volume and making tank cleaning more difficult.
Properly designed tank mixing can generate circulation near the tank bottom and help keep suspended particles in motion.
When different crude oil batches are stored in the same tank, variations in density and composition may result in uneven distribution.
Mixing helps improve the uniformity of the stored crude oil, which is particularly important before transfer or downstream processing.
Crude oil sludge may contain water, sediments, waxes, asphaltenes, and other heavy components.
Its formation depends on crude oil characteristics, temperature, storage duration, and operating conditions.
Side entry mixers can help reduce certain types of sediment accumulation, although existing heavy sludge may require a separate cleaning or recovery solution.
Side entry mixers are installed through openings on the side wall of a storage tank. Their propellers generate axial liquid flow, creating circulation throughout the tank.
They offer several advantages for large-volume crude oil storage applications.
Side entry mixers generate large-scale liquid movement through appropriately selected propeller designs and installation angles.
This circulation helps reduce stagnant zones and improves the distribution of liquid within the tank.
For large storage tanks, the number, power, and positioning of mixers should be determined according to the tank dimensions and mixing objectives.
One important purpose of crude oil tank mixing is to reduce the accumulation of solid particles at the tank bottom.
By generating circulation close to the bottom, side entry mixers can help keep suitable particles suspended and reduce localized sediment buildup.
However, the required mixing intensity depends on particle size, density, settling velocity, and crude oil viscosity.
Compared with conventional top entry arrangements, side entry mixers provide an alternative installation solution for large-diameter storage tanks.
They do not require a large top-mounted agitator support structure and can be installed at selected positions around the tank wall.
This arrangement is particularly useful for certain existing storage tank installations and retrofit projects.
Side entry mixers can be installed at different elevations and orientations depending on the tank structure and circulation requirements.
For suitable designs, maintenance access can also be arranged without requiring the same type of top-mounted supporting structure used by vertical agitators.
Mechanical seal design and shaft withdrawal arrangements should be considered during equipment selection.
Side entry mixers can serve several different mixing objectives depending on the operating conditions.
The mixer generates circulation near the tank bottom to help prevent or reduce the accumulation of suspended solid particles.
This is one of the important applications in crude oil storage.
When crude oil from different batches or sources is stored together, mixing can help improve composition uniformity.
In petroleum terminals and refineries, different crude oil streams may need to be blended to achieve specific processing or handling requirements.
Side entry mixers can provide the circulation required for this operation.
In heated crude oil storage tanks, mixing can help improve temperature distribution and reduce local temperature differences.
The actual benefit depends on the heating arrangement, crude oil viscosity, and circulation pattern.
Selecting a suitable side entry mixer requires more than simply matching the motor power to the tank volume.
The following parameters should be considered.
The final configuration should be determined through engineering calculations and an evaluation of the actual operating conditions.
The required number of mixers depends on the tank diameter, liquid depth, crude oil properties, and desired mixing performance.
Smaller tanks may require only one mixer, while large-diameter storage tanks may need multiple side entry mixers installed at different positions.
When multiple mixers are used, their installation angles and directions should be coordinated to establish an effective circulation pattern and minimize stagnant areas.
There is no universal rule for determining the number of mixers based only on tank volume.
A proper mixing design should consider the overall tank geometry and specific process objectives.
KEHENG specializes in the design and manufacture of industrial agitators and mixing equipment for petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, and wastewater treatment applications.
Our side entry mixers are designed for industrial storage tanks and process applications where reliable liquid circulation and mixing performance are required.
Depending on project requirements, available configurations can be customized according to:
With more than 30 years of manufacturing experience, KEHENG provides mixing equipment solutions for industrial customers worldwide.
Whether you are planning a new crude oil storage tank or upgrading an existing tank mixing system, our engineering team can assist with preliminary equipment selection based on your application data.
Q1: Why are side entry mixers used in crude oil storage tanks?
Side entry mixers are commonly used to generate large-scale liquid circulation, improve crude oil uniformity, and help control sediment accumulation in large storage tanks.
Q2: Can a side entry mixer prevent sludge formation?
Not all sludge formation can be prevented by mechanical mixing. Sludge formation depends on crude oil composition, temperature, water content, and storage conditions. Mixing can help control certain types of sediment accumulation but is not a universal sludge prevention solution.
Q3: How many side entry mixers are required for a crude oil storage tank?
The number depends on tank diameter, liquid depth, crude oil properties, and mixing objectives. Engineering evaluation is necessary to determine the appropriate quantity and installation arrangement.
Q4: Are side entry mixers suitable for high-viscosity crude oil?
They can be used in certain high-viscosity crude oil applications. However, viscosity has a significant impact on circulation and power requirements. The mixer must be selected according to the actual operating temperature and viscosity range.
Q5: What information is required to select a crude oil tank mixer?
The main information includes tank diameter, tank height, operating liquid level, crude oil density, viscosity, temperature, and the required mixing purpose.
Side entry mixers are an effective mixing solution for many large crude oil storage tank applications.
By generating controlled liquid circulation, they can help improve crude oil uniformity, support blending operations, and reduce sediment accumulation under suitable operating conditions.
Choosing the right mixer requires a clear understanding of both tank dimensions and crude oil properties.
Looking for a side entry mixer for your crude oil storage tank? Contact KEHENG with your tank dimensions and operating conditions. Our team can help evaluate your application and recommend a suitable mixing solution.
