A Nigerian customer recently purchased a crawler dredging robot from YG Machinery to clean sludge inside several large industrial oil tanks. The client needed a solution that was safer than manual dredging, capable of entering confined spaces, and efficient enough to complete multiple tanks within a short maintenance period. After deployment, the robot achieved excellent sludge removal performance—high cleaning efficiency, smooth remote operation, and outstanding safety in high‐risk environments.
Crawler Dredging Robot Parameters
| Parameter | YG500 | YG600 | YG700 | YG800 | YG900 | YG1200 |
| Robot Dimensions (mm) | 1500*500*650 | 1500*600*650 | 1600*700*650 | 1600*850*700 | 1650*960*750 | 1900*1200*750 |
| Dredging Width (mm) | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | Suitable for large culverts |
| Travel Speed (m/s) | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 0–17 m/min |
| Pump Diameter (inch) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4or6 |
| Pump Flow (m³/h) | 100 | 100 | 160 | 160 | 200 | 250 |
| Pump Head (m) | 0–30 | 0–30 | 0–25 | 0–25 | 0–25 | 0–30 (Horizontal: 100–150m) |
| Hydraulic Station Dimensions (mm) | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2120*1240*1200 |
| Main Motor Power (kW) | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 45KW (50KW) or Diesel 76KW (123KW) |
| Hydraulic System Pressure (Mpa) | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | Not specified |
| Particle Size (mm) | 15 | 15 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 0–40 (customizable) |
| Winch Speed (r/min) | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 |
| Pipe Length (m) | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30m/pack, 20kg pressure resistant, optional |
| Control System | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote |
| Lighting System | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 |
Why Nigerian Customers Need Crawler Dredging Robots?
In Nigeria, oil depot operators, refinery plants, and tank farms face common problems:
- Heavy oil sludge accumulated at the bottom of storage tanks;
- Manual entry is dangerous and often forbidden;
- High temperature, gas presence, and confined spaces increase risks;
- Cleaning efficiency is low with conventional pumps;
- Difficult to ensure worker safety under oil vapor exposure.
With government agencies increasing safety regulations, many Nigerian companies are shifting from manual cleaning to robotic dredging solutions such as the robotic dredge and environmental sludge cleaning robot.
These robotic systems help reduce labor risks, improve sludge removal efficiency, and shorten maintenance shutdown time. This is why the Nigerian customer decided to upgrade to a crawler dredging robot for this project.
Our South African customers have found our dredging robots to be very effective at cleaning up lake silt.
YG’s Customized Solution for Nigeria’s Oil Tank Environment
After understanding the customer’s tank size, sludge thickness, and gas level data, YG provided a dedicated solution designed for hazardous industrial environments.
① Explosion-proof motor system
Since oil tanks may contain flammable vapors, YG equipped the robot with:
- ATEX-certified explosion-proof motors;
- Flame-retardant cables;
- Spark-free track drive design.
This ensures safe operation even in high-risk industrial tanks.
② High-torque crawler design
The crawler dredging robot is built with:
- Heavy-duty crawler tracks;
- Strong traction;
- Ability to operate on soft sludge layers;
- Stable movement even in thick oil deposits.
This design guarantees continuous operation without sinking or getting stuck.
③ High-efficiency sludge pump
To meet Nigeria’s sludge volume demand, the robot is equipped with:
- 15–30 kW heavy-duty pump;
- Adjustable flow rate;
- Effective suction for oil sludge, sediment, and silt.
The customer praised the pump’s performance after the first cleaning cycle.
④ Remote operation system
Operators can control the sludge cleaning robot from outside the tank, meaning:
- Zero human entry;
- Zero gas exposure;
- Real-time video monitoring;
- Safer and faster tank dredging.
Project Results – Significant Improvement in Cleaning Efficiency
After the crawler dredging robot started working in the Nigerian customer’s oil depot, the results were clear:
- Cleaning time reduced by 50% compared to manual pumping;
- No worker entry, ensuring 100% safety compliance;
- Sludge thickness removed up to 20–40 cm per hour;
- Continuous operation for long periods without overheating;
- Video feedback allowed precise dredging.
The customer reported a smooth experience and plans to order two more units for refinery and depot projects.
FAQ of Nigeria Customer
Q1: Can the crawler dredging robot operate in explosive environments?
Yes. YG offers a full explosion-proof configuration—motors, cameras, cables, and control boxes. This is especially important for Nigerian oil depots and tank farms.
Q2: What types of sludge can the robotic dredge remove?
It can remove oil sludge, sediment, silt, chemical residue, and thick mud deposits. The system works well whether the sludge is liquid, semi-solid, or highly viscous.
Q3: How deep can the sludge pump handle?
Standard depth is 8–12 meters, and can be customized up to 20 meters depending on pump power.
Q4: Does the environmental sludge cleaning robot need frequent maintenance?
Only basic inspection is required. Most components are modular, easy to replace, and built for industrial conditions.
Q5: Can the robot work inside very large tanks?
Yes. For tanks above 20m diameter, we can upgrade the crawler motors and pump to handle heavy workloads.
Why Nigerian Customers Prefer YG Dredging Robots?
- 10+ years sludge dredging equipment experience;
- Customized explosion-proof solutions;
- Strong crawler system for oil tank sediment;
- High suction pump efficiency;
- Real-time monitoring and remote-control safety;
- Fast global delivery and technical support.
YG’s crawler dredging robot is already being used in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia for industrial tank cleaning, river dredging, and sludge removal projects.
Crawler Dredging Robot in YG Machinery
This Nigerian project proves that replacing manual cleaning with a crawler dredging robot, robotic dredge, or environmental sludge cleaning robot significantly increases operational safety and efficiency. With customized explosion-proof features and strong dredging power, the system helps Nigerian oil companies improve maintenance performance while ensuring compliance with new safety regulations.
