In the oil, gas, and maritime industries, some of the most dangerous work happens out of sight—in confined spaces like storage tanks and ship ballast holds. Now, a new generation of robotics is changing that. At the heart of this shift is the ATEX tank cleaning robot, designed to perform high-risk tasks without ever putting a human inside. Dongying Jingtao Energy’s XBR-MT and XB2 platforms are leading this transformation, offering zero-risk entry, eco-friendly ultra-high-pressure (UHP) water blasting, and full compliance with global safety standards.
For decades, maintaining these assets meant sending crews into oxygen-deficient, toxic, or explosive atmospheres. The process required extensive permits, gas monitoring, rescue teams, and constant vigilance. Even then, accidents were tragically common. Today, stringent HSE regulations—from OSHA in the US to ATEX in Europe—are pushing companies to eliminate confined space entry wherever possible. Automation isn’t just an option; it’s a legal and ethical imperative.
Our robotic solutions answer this call with intelligence, power, and environmental responsibility.
The Deadly Reality of Confined Space Work
A “confined space” is any enclosed area with limited entry/exit and potential atmospheric hazards. In oil terminals, this includes crude oil tanks, LNG spheres, and chemical reactors. In shipping, it’s ballast tanks, cargo holds, and void spaces.
Manual maintenance in these zones involves:
- Abrasive blasting with silica or slag, creating toxic dust.
- Spray painting in poorly ventilated areas, risking VOC exposure.
- Working near flammable vapors—especially during tank cleaning.
According to industry reports, confined space incidents account for a disproportionate number of fatalities in oil & gas. As a result, regulators now demand the ALARP principle (“As Low As Reasonably Practicable”)—meaning if a task can be done remotely, it must be.
Enter the robotic revolution.
Introducing the XBR-MT: The Manhole-Sized Robot for Internal Tank Work
The XBR-MT Multi-Function Storage Tank Robot is engineered specifically for internal tank maintenance. Its breakthrough feature? A split-body design that fits through standard manholes as small as 600 mm in diameter. Once inside, it reassembles autonomously and begins work—no scaffolding, no human entry.
Key capabilities include:
1. Ultra-High-Pressure (UHP) Water Blasting at 280 MPa
Instead of dry abrasive blasting, the XBR-MT uses pure water at 280 megapascals (over 40,000 PSI). This removes rust, scale, and old coatings down to bare metal—achieving SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2 “near-white metal” cleanliness. Crucially, it produces zero airborne dust, eliminating lead or chromium exposure risks.
2. Closed-Loop Wastewater Recovery System
All spent water and debris are immediately vacuumed into an onboard recovery unit. This creates a truly “dust-free, waste-free” operation. The collected slurry can be filtered on-site for water reuse—aligning with circular economy goals and reducing disposal costs.
3. ATEX Certification for Explosive Atmospheres
Available with ATEX Zone 1/2 certified motors and electronics, the XBR-MT is safe to operate in environments with flammable gases or vapors. This is non-negotiable for refineries, chemical plants, and fuel storage facilities.
With wireless remote control from outside the tank, operators complete internal prep and coating jobs in half the time—without a single permit for human entry.
Meet the XB2: Heavy-Duty Power for Hulls, Spheres & Bridges
While the XBR-MT excels inside tanks, the XB2 Heavy-Duty Quad-Drive Platform dominates large external structures. Designed for shipyards, LNG terminals, and petrochemical complexes, it tackles surfaces too vast or rugged for smaller robots.
Its strengths lie in brute capability and adaptability:
1. Quad Independent Drive with 15mm Obstacle Clearance
Four powerful, independently controlled tracks allow the XB2 to climb vertical hulls, navigate curved spherical tanks, and cross weld seams up to 15 mm high. Rain, salt spray, or surface irregularities won’t stop it.
2. 100+ kg Payload for Multi-Tool Integration
The XB2 isn’t just a cleaner—it’s a mobile platform. It can carry UHP water jets, laser cleaners, robotic arms, or inspection sensors (like ultrasonic thickness gauges). This modularity means one robot can handle blasting, cleaning, inspection, and even repair support.
3. Global Compliance & Durability
Built for harsh marine and industrial environments, the XB2 operates from -20°C to +50°C and passes 500+ hours of salt spray testing (ASTM B117). It supports 110V/220V/380V power systems and offers optional IECEx certification for global projects.
In shipyards, the XB2 automates above-waterline hull blasting—ensuring full compliance with the IMO’s Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC), which requires digital traceability of every square meter treated.
Why Oil, Gas & Marine Leaders Are Switching to Robotics
Choosing an ATEX tank cleaning robot like the XBR-MT or XB2 delivers immediate and long-term value:
- Safety: Eliminate confined space entry permits and rescue standby teams. Achieve true “zero personnel” maintenance.
- Environmental Compliance: Replace dry blasting with closed-loop UHP water systems to meet EPA, EU Solvent Directive, and port state regulations.
- Speed & Cost: Cut project timelines by 40–60%. Reduce labor, scaffolding, and waste disposal costs. Typical ROI is under 18 months.
- Quality & Traceability: Achieve consistent Sa2.5 surface prep. Digital logs support PSPC and ISO 12944 audits.
For HSE managers, this means fewer incident reports and lower insurance premiums. For project engineers, it means hitting tight turnaround windows—even during short refinery shutdowns or vessel lay-ups.
The Future Is Remote, Green, and Certified
The trend is clear: manual confined space work is being phased out. Regulations are tightening, labor is scarce, and ESG pressures are mounting. Companies that adopt certified, automated solutions today will lead in safety, efficiency, and sustainability tomorrow.
JingTao Energy’s XBR-MT and XB2 aren’t experimental prototypes—they’re field-proven across dozens of refineries, LNG terminals, and shipyards worldwide. They represent the new standard for industrial maintenance in hazardous zones.
If you manage tank farms, FPSOs, or vessel fleets, the question is no longer if you’ll automate—but when.
And when you do, you’ll need a partner with proven ATEX expertise and global support.
Ready to eliminate confined space entry from your maintenance plan?
Contact Dongying Jingtao Energy today for a site-specific assessment of the XBR-MT or XB2—and discover how our ATEX tank cleaning robot can deliver zero-risk, eco-friendly, and cost-effective maintenance for your most critical assets.
