Fueled by vigorous development in recent years, robotics has drawn high-level attention across all market segments. Nations worldwide, including China, attach great importance to this sector and have issued a series of regulatory documents and incentive policies to promote robot for human replacement solutions for risk mitigation.
The Safety Technical Specification for Cleaning Operations of Hazardous Chemical Storage Facilities (AQ/T 3057-2024) released by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management mandates that Leve-I and Level-II major-hazard-source storage tanks shall undergo full-process mechanical cleaning every 36 months. Relevant footage, wall-thickness inspection data and VOCs readings must be uploaded to the national early warning system. The Guidelines for Investigation and Remediation of Safety Risks and Hidden Dangers in Hazardous-Chemical Enterprises enforces a minimum 85 % automation rate for confined-space operations. Sinopec targets 100 % coverage for unmanned tank-farm retrofits at its refining and chemical bases by 2025.
There are approximately 327, 000 in-service industrial storage tanks nationwide. Conventional manual cleaning takes 30-60 days, with operators required to rotate every 15-20 minutes, frequently resulting in safety accidents. In 2026, the global tank-cleaning robot market is valued at around USD 1.62 billion, with an annual growth rate of roughly 14 %.
Founded in 2008, GN Solids Control has long been rooted in the petroleum machinery industry, focusing on the R&D of comprehensive supporting equipment for sludge, wastewater and waste oil treatment tailored to customer needs.
Responding to strong market demand and the practical evolution of our system solutions, the company has proactively seized market opportunities. Through extensive market research and multi-source consultation, we have assembled top-tier technical experts and talents. Drawing on pooled wisdom and capabilities, we established GN Smart Control Technology Co., Ltd. A dedicated professional team for special purpose intelligent robots has been built, covering dredging robots, wall-climbing robots and inspection robots. Centered on market and end user requirements, we conduct targeted research, prioritized development, personalized services and customized solutions. Two major product lines of tank dredging robots have been meticulously developed: general storage&oil-tank sludge removal robots and intelligent dredging robots. Our wall-climbing robots feature breakthroughs for higher-altitude operation, stronger adhesion and diversified intelligent control. Our inspection robots integrate multiple forms and functions, delivering superior performance plus enhanced human-oriented and personalized capabilities, ushering in a new era of intelligence. Our offerings address urgent demands from customers across more than 170 countries worldwide.
GN Smart Control Technology Co., Ltd. benchmarks its innovative technologies and comprehensive capabilities against global industry leaders. We deliver state-of the art, comprehensive and practical intelligent complete set robot solutions with full lifecycle support.
- High-altitude operations: tank climbing, wall climbing, high-altitude dust removal, slag removal, grinding, painting and maintenance;
- Mid level missions: inspection, surveillance, supervision and detection of hazard sources and risk-control points across diverse environments;
- Underwater tasks: underwater dredging, decontamination and pollutant discharge.
Truly achieving all-round three-dimensional coverage across “land, sea and air”, we provide customers with more comprehensive, safer and more reassuring application experiences.
As one of the domestic pioneers in oil-tank sludge removal robots, GN prioritizes product functionality and practicality while keeping field-site realities front-and-center. We integrate years-accumulated practical experience into every piece of equipment. Coupled with in-depth development and mastery of intelligent control technologies, our oil-tank dredging robots are equipped with “electronic eyes” and empowered for expanded operational capabilities.
Going forward, we will deliver scientifically sound and innovative complete-set solutions to global clients. R&D will continuously advance along multiple dimensions including safe dredging, intelligent control and real-time monitoring. Based on actual site conditions, we optimize dredging methodologies, structural innovation, intelligent control configurations and practical applicability. Research achievements are promptly implemented in our equipment for real world deployment, so that customers and society at large can share our technological gains.
Most current dredging robots still rely on manual operation by technicians viewing camera feeds. Looking ahead, integrated intelligent sensing technologies will enable robots to measure sediment thickness, viscosity and hardness, and automatically adjust stirring power and pumping flow. Full-coverage sweeping algorithms will prevent missed zones and redundant cleaning. Robots will autonomously bypass obstacles such as heating coils and support columns. Environmental sensors paired with AI models will monitor flammable gas concentrations in real time, triggering automatic shutdown and emergency evacuation upon abnormalities. The system will build 3D tank models and synchronously record tank-bottom corrosion and sediment-distribution data to support predictive maintenance.
Safety constitutes the unchanging core foundation of the dredging industry. For oil-tank sludeg removal robots, innovation extends far beyond mechanical-structural upgrades; we achieve deep integration of safety protection and intelligent control. Every product is engineered to comply strictly with international ATEX Zone 0 explosion proof standards, while also satisfying China’s CNEX Zone 0 explosion proof requirements to guarantee maximum operational safety.
GN sludge removal robots undergo 3D-model-based simulation validation for both structural design and type testing, eliminating potential safety hazards at the source. We focus on core components and fine details. Design principles, structural layouts and operating logics are fully simulated and analyzed. Products only move to manufacturing after analysis reports confirm a compliance rate of over 80 %. Potential risks are eliminated in the early design phase, demonstrating our accountability to products, customers and the company.
Intelligent integration is a key concern across the dredging-robot industry. Real-world implementation cannot be superficial; it cannot be accomplished overnight. Our recruited special-robot experts guide the whole lifecycle of our special-robot business, covering foundational architecture, environmental analysis, data integration, AI algorithm development, logic embedding and modular integration. We empower our products with technology while staying pragmatic and truth-oriented.
A tall tree never forgets its roots; a river never forgets its source. Upholding our founding principles and commitment to serving society, GN Sludge Removal Robots will continue to pursue innovation, take root in the industry, cross oceans and march toward the world.