Tank Cleaning & Inspection Reports

API 653 is the American Petroleum Institute standard for the inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of above-ground storage tanks. It defines minimum requirements for inspection intervals, thickness measurements, and fitness-for-service assessments. Facilities operating under this standard benefit from robotic cleaning systems like Bristola's SRCS, which safely access tank interiors without human entry and generate the condition data needed to support API 653 compliance documentation.

A CWST (Covered Water Storage Tank) inspection is a structured evaluation of potable or process water storage tanks to assess structural integrity, sediment buildup, liner condition, and water quality risks. These inspections typically follow AWWA or local regulatory guidelines. Robotic submersible systems like Bristola's SRCS can perform these inspections and cleanings without draining the tank or requiring human entry into the confined space.

The SRCS uses onboard sonar navigation and real-time monitoring technology to capture sediment depth and distribution maps, tank floor and wall condition data, and operational performance metrics. All data is stored and compiled into detailed inspection and cleaning reports that facility operators can use for maintenance planning, regulatory compliance, and performance benchmarking over time.

Yes. Bristola's patented equalization chamber entry system allows the submersible robot to enter and exit a fully operational tank through any manhole 24 inches in diameter or greater. The tank remains full and in production throughout the entire cleaning process, eliminating the need to drain, purge, or temporarily store contents — saving significant time and cost.

The SRCS is engineered for a wide range of liquid storage environments, including anaerobic digesters, covered lagoons, water and wastewater treatment tanks, oil and gas storage vessels, food and beverage processing tanks, pulp and paper facility tanks, and agricultural waste management systems. Both new builds and existing facilities can be equipped through retrofit installation.

Bristola's case study data shows that traditional tank cleaning carries an annualized cost of approximately $250,000 per tank, compared to $170,000 using the SRCS subscription service — a saving of $80,000 per tank per year. Traditional methods also require production stoppages, temporary storage, and confined space entry procedures, all of which add further indirect costs not captured in direct pricing comparisons.