Sludge Removal Systems & Automation Solutions

Sludge can be removed using Bristola's submersible robotic cleaning system, which accesses tanks through any manhole 24 inches in diameter or greater. The robot operates while the tank remains full and in production, removing sludge through a flexible hose to an external processing destination, eliminating the need to drain or shut down the facility.

For liquid storage tanks, anaerobic digesters, and covered lagoons, a submersible robotic vacuum system — like Bristola's SRCS — is ideal. It combines mechanical agitation with vacuum extraction through a flexible hose, handling dense sludge in enclosed, hazardous environments without requiring human entry or draining of the tank.

Yes. Bristola's Patented Equalization Chamber Entry System is designed for both new builds and retrofits. It can be adapted to fit any existing manhole 24 inches in diameter or greater, allowing facilities to upgrade to robotic cleaning without major structural modifications or facility downtime during installation.

Bristola's systems serve a wide range of industries including anaerobic digesters and biogas production, wastewater and water treatment plants, food and beverage processing, oil and gas refineries, pulp and paper facilities, agricultural waste management, slaughterhouses, and steel mills — any facility with liquid storage tanks or covered lagoons requiring periodic sludge removal.

Based on documented case studies, facilities can save approximately $80,000 per tank per year compared to traditional cleaning methods. The annualized cost of Bristola's system is around $170,000 versus $250,000 for conventional approaches. Additional savings come from eliminating production downtime, temporary storage costs, and confined space compliance expenses.

Yes. Because Bristola's system requires zero human entry into tanks or covered lagoons, it eliminates the confined space entry requirements and associated OSHA permit-required confined space regulations entirely. This reduces employee safety risk, minimizes regulatory burden, and significantly lowers the liability and compliance costs associated with traditional manned cleaning operations.