SOLVEX®

Tank Sludge Mobilization & Oil Recovery Technology

Without Emulsification. No infrastructure modification.

Non-emulsifying operational technology enabling recovery of crude oil from sludge, slop systems and petroleum storage assets using existing tank and process infrastructure. 

• No stable emulsions

• Recovery instead of disposal 

• Fully reversible — system can return to initial state at any moment

• Effective across freshwater, seawater and brine

• No new process infrastructure required

Up to 85% hydrocarbon recovery observed under controlled conditions. 

HSE profile: VOC-free, non-flammable, non-toxic, biodegradable. 

Validated under ASTM D1401 / ASTM D4007 in different water conditions for phase separation and water content performance. 

Hydrocarbons Accumulate in Storage Systems 

Tank bottoms and slop systems contain recoverable hydrocarbons that become operational constraints when flow is lost and phase separation fails. 

Operational Impact

• Reduced storage capacity 

• Loss of pumpability

• Increased downtime

• Higher disposal volumes

• Increased maintenance burden 

These materials are not waste.

They are trapped hydrocarbons within operational systems.

The objective is not cleaning.

The objective is hydrocarbon recovery and system restoration.

This approach applies across multiple storage and handling scenarios. 

Primary Applications:

• Slop tanks – mobilization and recovery of accumulated hydrocarbons,

• Crude bottoms – restoration of flow and removal of sludge layers   

• Contaminated transfer systems – recovery and separation during handling,   

• Storage tanks prior to maintenance – enabling pumpable conditions

Mobilization Without Emulsification.

Cleaning hydrocarbons is not the same as recovering hydrocarbons. 

SOLVEX® enables:

• Releases oil from the sludge and solids 

• Maintains unstable emulsions with rapid separation 

• Preserves crude composition

• Supports gravity-based recovery 

Enables controlled mobilization for separation and hydrocarbon recovery. 

Why This Technology is Unfamiliar

Conventional tank cleaning and sludge treatment typically rely on solvent dissolution, emulsification or mechanical removal.

SOLVEX® operates differently.

It mobilizes hydrocarbons without altering phase separability, allowing recovery instead of dispersion.

This represents a different operational class compared to conventional cleaning or solvent systems.

Operational Result  

• Restored flow  

• Maintained separability 

• Recoverable oil phase 

Works within existing tanks, slop systems and separation infrastructure. 

Operational Impact 

• Reduced manual intervention  

• Shorter cleaning cycles  

• Reduced downtime  

Economic Impact 

• Recovery of previously unrecoverable hydrocarbons  

• Reduced disposal volume  

• No CAPEX  

Value is generated through hydrocarbon recovery and operational simplification – not chemical consumption.  

Typical Deployment Workflow

Controlled in-tank deployment using existing infrastructure

• Executed using existing tank infrastructure 

• No tank modification required. 

• No new process lines required. 

Technology Behaviour 

The technology acts at the hydrocarbon-water-solid interface, reducing adhesion of hydrocarbons to solids while maintaining phase separation behaviour. 

Mobilized hydrocarbons remain separable and do not form stable emulsions.

Engineering Validation 

Core Laboratory Testing (Abu Dhabi)

• ASTM D1401 – phase separation 

• ASTM D4007 – water content in recovered oil (BS&W) 

• Consistent across freshwater, seawater and brine

• Recovered hydrocarbons remain materially unchanged

Observed Behaviour  

• No stable emulsions  

• Clear phase separation 

• Low residual water 

Performance verified under controlled laboratory conditions

Up to 85% hydrocarbon recovery observed under controlled seawater conditions

Maintains rapid phase separation performance across seawater and high-salinity brine conditions.

The physics works.

Hydrocarbons are mobilized while preserving separation. 

Not a Cleaning Chemical

SOLVEX® is not: 

• a degreaser 

• a dispersant 

• a solvent system

What is SOLVEX®:  

HYDROCARBON MOBILIZATION & RECOVERY TECHNOLOGY

Cleaning -> Waste

Mobilization -> Recovery

This is a process change, not a chemical upgrade. 

Proven in Real Systems

Field Evidence – Nigeria 

• sludge mobilization achieved  

• oil / water / solids separation observed  

• recovery of crude phase 

• restored pumpability

Additional Reference – Venezuela 

• heavy crude environments

• relevant for high-viscosity crude systems

• documented technical basis

The technology performs in operational conditions. 

Validated in both laboratory and field environments. 

Deployment Platform – United Arab Emirates

SOLVEX® is deployed within regulated petroleum-sector environments.

 • UAE-based production  

• CORELAB validation (Abu Dhabi)  

• alignment with operator qualification requirements

• regulatory registration pathway (Montaji)

• suitable for NOCs and terminal operators 

• compatible with existing procedures 

HSE profile: VOC-free, non-flammable, non-toxic, biodegradable

Path to Technical Evaluation

Step 1. Technical review

Identify candidate tank or sludge system

Review available data 

Step 2. Optional Laboratory Confirmation

Testing on operator-specific media if required

Step 3. Controlled Pilot Deployment 

Field application and observation

Step 4. Evaluation & Scale-Up 

Technical assessment and expansion

Operational Technology, not chemical supply model.

Direct technical contact for evaluation and pilot coordination. 

SOLVEX® is a controlled hydrocarbon mobilization and recovery technology deployed within regulated petroleum-sector environments.

Technology Operator & Deployment Lead

ABT SYSTEMS LLC

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

email: info@abtsystems.ae

Phone: +971 58 55 34 666