In-Tank Eductor Technology for Suspending Solids & Mixing: A Fuels Refinery in the Southern US
- Jan 19, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 10
A fuels refinery in the Southern US contacted us regarding our in-tank eductor technology, Tank Liquid Agitators (TLAs). The tank at this refinery is used for crude oil received from a ship and then moved into the refinery for processing.
Two Jobs, One Tank
This application required the TLAs to do two things at once: suspend solids and mix the tank contents. Crude oil storage tanks commonly deal with basic sediment and water (BS&W) — heavier material that settles out of the oil over time if left undisturbed. Left unaddressed, this settled material accumulates at the bottom of the tank, reducing usable capacity and creating cleanout challenges. Continuous suspension keeps this material distributed through the fluid rather than allowed to settle, while mixing keeps the overall tank contents homogeneous as new crude is received from ship deliveries.
A Non-Standard Eductor Array
The eductor array at this refinery is unique: rather than a typical circular or rectangular array positioned symmetrically around the tank, all eductors are mounted on one side to generate directional movement through the tank.
This asymmetric layout is a deliberate engineering choice, not a simplification. A symmetric array tends to create balanced, localized circulation patterns. Mounting all eductors on one side instead drives fluid movement across the entire tank in a more directed pattern — useful when the goal is comprehensive suspension and mixing across the full tank volume rather than localized agitation near each unit.
How the TLA Actually Works: The Flow Dynamics Principle
The TLA operates on the principle of flow dynamics. Pressurized fluid is accelerated through the nozzle to become a high-velocity stream that entrains tank contents and mixes intimately with them.
Breaking that down: as the motive fluid exits the nozzle at high velocity, it creates a pressure differential that draws surrounding tank liquid into the stream — a process called entrainment. Rather than simply passing through the tank, the accelerated stream pulls additional fluid along with it, multiplying its effective mixing volume well beyond the motive fluid alone.
This combined stream exits the TLA at high velocity, creating a flow field capable of causing additional agitation and continuing to mix the tank contents well beyond the immediate discharge point.
Why This Design Suits Crude Oil Storage
Crude oil storage tanks present a demanding mixing environment: large tank volumes, viscous fluid, and the specific challenge of keeping heavier sediment and water in suspension rather than allowing it to settle and compact. The TLA's no-moving-parts design is particularly well suited here — mechanical mixers introduce wear components exposed directly to abrasive sediment, while an eductor-based system has no internal moving parts to erode.
Why This Matters for Refinery Operations
Crude received by ship and moved into refinery processing represents a critical handoff point in the refining process. Keeping that crude properly mixed and free of problematic sediment accumulation supports consistent feedstock quality moving into downstream processing, while reducing the tank cleanout burden that comes with allowing solids to settle and compact over time.
Applications
This kind of dual-purpose suspension and mixing approach applies across:
Refining: Crude oil storage and receiving tanks
Oil & Gas: Tanks handling produced water or crude with sediment content
Chemical Processing: Large tanks requiring both solids suspension and homogeneous blending
Any Large-Volume Storage Application: Where settling and stratification threaten usable capacity or product consistency
Learn More
For more information on Tank Liquid Agitators and custom eductor array design for your specific tank geometry and application, contact our Eductor Applications team.
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