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Railcar & Truck Loading Platforms
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Aluminum sulfate is sometimes called alum or papermaker’s alum in certain industries and is typically shipped in 26,000-gallon DOT-103 rubber-lined, insulated, or non-insulated tank cars with safety valves.
The rails cars themselves are ~ 9′ outside diameter with an overall length of ~45’ to 50′, with a 6’ x 6’ center opening or off-set crash box openings.
Tank truck (un)loading procedures are similar to railcar applications with the trailers meeting established DOT requirements for transporting aluminum sulfate or other like commodities. Approved DOT trailers include MC 307 or low pressure chemical ISO containers. Trailers and ISO’s are typically bottom unloaded. An extension pipe with two valves is flanged to the top of the trailer.
All trailers must be equipped with pressure relief valves, and trailers with bottom outlets must be equipped with remote controlled stop valves.
Typical Aluminum Sulfate Loading Platform
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Aluminum Sulfate Loading | |
 | Aluminum Sulfate is typically loaded into railcars or tank trucks via boom supported stainless steel loading arms or chemical hoses with flanged end connections. The arm or hose will have a top inlet with a control valve to ensure that it is self-draining after use and is supported along the length of a mechanical loading arm to improve handling; this is known as a by-pass arm. You can install one liquid and one vapor arm, or mount both the liquid and vapor hoses on one by-pass arm. For unloading, typically you would use a rigid self-draining stainless steel loading arm with Buna-N, EPDM or PTFE seals. Purge lines can be fitted to the arm, for nitrogen purging. Additional features such as parking latches with proximity sensors can be incorporated into the total system to ensure the arm is correctly stowed when not in use, before any rail movement can occur. |
Loading Gangways and Safety Cages | |
  | A wider access gangway (48″-60″ is preferable) as it helps improve access and egress to and from the vessel. In addition, a wider gangway will reduce the risk of the operator’s PPE getting caught, torn or damaged, and will improve productivity and safety. Powered gangway solutions are also an option, with both hydraulic and pneumatic solutions being commonly used. Each gangway will be fitted with a two-rail safety cage for the railcar crash box. This will be a centered 6’x6’ safety cage to sit directly over the cashbox. This will provide a safe, secure work environment for your operator when connected to their breathing apparatus. GX SELF-ADJUSTING STAIR (SAS) GANGWAYSafeRack’s NEW GX SAS gangways use Retractalok power-assist technology allowing operators to raise or lower effortlessly, light as a feather to lift, solid as a rock. Tested in the most critical applications, this revolutionary new gangway outperforms all others. Available in multiple lengths and widths. Learn More |
Aluminum Sulfate Eye Wash/Drench Showers | |
 | ANSI guidelines state that an Eye Wash/Drench Showers need to be located 10 seconds or 55’ (16.8m) from contaminants or hazardous materials. Eyewash stations need to be on the same horizontal plane with no obstructions. Therefore, we would propose the installation of a standard combination Drench Shower/Eyewash Unit, which will save limited space and fit easily into any work environment. |
Aluminum Sulfate Spill Containment | |
 | Spill containment pans will be provided at the point of loading operations and is an essential piece of equipment in overall site safety and environmental protection |
Aluminum Sulfate Grounding | |
 | Aluminum sulfate is not a combustible material; however, industry best practice includes the grounding of all vessels before starting the (un)loading process.
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Aluminum Sulfate Safety Gates | |
 | Safety Gates will be installed at the top of stairs and any other openings to ensure operator safety at all times.
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Aluminum Sulfate Options | |
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Personal Protective Equipment PPE Requirements | |
 Eye/Face Protection: Wear chemical safety goggles. The use of a respiratory device to protect against the effects of fumes, dust and aerosol is also recommended.
(APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against chlorine*; or Any supplied-air respirator*. *Reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection. APF = Assigned Protection Factor Recommendations apply only to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators. Refer to the NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards for more information. | |
| Use a local exhaust ventilation and enclosure, if necessary, to control the amount in the air. Consider using a corrosion-resistant exhaust ventilation system separate from other ventilation systems. It may be necessary to use stringent control measures such as process enclosure to prevent product release into the workplace. Use backup controls (e.g. double mechanical pump seals) to prevent the release of this material due to equipment failure. | |
| * For illustrative purposes only. Our experts will work with you and your team for a custom solution to suit your needs | |
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MAJOR ALUMINUM SULFATE PRODUCERS WHERE WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED ALUMINUM SULFATE LOADING PROJECTS
Aluminum Sulfate 101
Things to know about Aluminum Sulfate
Aluminum Sulfate is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and is classified as an acidic, corrosive hazardous material with the DOT identification number UN 3264.
Aluminum sulfate is typically a white crystalline solid dissolved in water. It is used in WWTP plants for water treatment and purification. It’s also used in the dyeing of fabrics, and in the making of paper products. There are many other uses for aluminum sulfate as well, and many are used to make products consumers use daily. Even the tap or bottled water you drink is filtered using aluminum sulfate.
Only properly trained and equipped personnel should be permitted to (un)load aluminum sulfate tank cars and tank trucks. Operators should wear approved PPE equipment including impervious clothing, footwear, gloves, and goggles.
Aluminum sulfate is dangerous to human health, and as a corrosive chemical, acute exposure can cause severe skin burns and eye damage. Do not breathe dust/fumes/mist/vapors as they can be fatal if inhaled. Use only outdoors, or in a well ventilated area.
First aid measures for exposure include – removing operators from the source of exposure and into fresh air. Remove contaminated clothing immediately; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water; flush eyes with tepid water for 15 minutes. If ingested do not induce vomiting, but immediately call your local poison control center. Aspiration into the lungs can cause fatal chemical pneumonitis. If ingestion has occurred, assume there is a risk of aspiration into the lungs.
Best practice includes storing this chemical in a cool, dry environment in well sealed containers, and away from any oxidizing agents.
Aluminum sulfate is corrosive to most metals including bronze, brass, carbon, milled steel, so great care should be taken to avoid contact with these materials. However aluminum and stainless steel are acceptable materials of construction.
Environmental precautions include preventing chemicals from reaching drains, sewer or open waterways.
Is your plant or facility compliant with ANSI, OSHA, and local safety codes? We can help!
EMERGENCY EYEWASHES / SHOWER EQUIPMENT AND THE ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 – 2014 STANDARD
Following eye contact, you must start washing with water immediately to prevent permanent damage. In the event of skin contact, you must start washing with water immediately to prevent slow-healing chemical burns.
Are you aware that ANSI guidelines state that Eye Wash/Drench Showers need to be located 10 seconds or 55′ from contaminates or hazardous materials and located on the same horizontal plane, with no obstructions? If bottom loading/unloading, an additional shower should be located at grade as well. SafeRack provides the above equipment plus much more needed to keep employees safe and expedite bulk chemical loading and unloading.
OSHA Regulation Experts – Does your existing chemical safety equipment or chemical loading systems meet OSHA’s latest requirements? SafeRack’s professional technical sales consultants are available to meet with your team to make recommendations to keep your facility in front of OSHA’s ever-changing country and region-specific standards and regulations, including lifeline and trolley beam fall arrest systems, metal stairs, and access platforms.
Installation Gallery
Why SafeRack?
The SafeRack approach is a collaborative one. Let’s call it The SafeRack Way. We have, over many years amassed a great deal of experience and understanding of the safety aspects involved in loading road tankers and railcars, as well as the behavioral habits of the operators.
Experts In Chemical Loading
North America’s largest loading terminal
World-leading designer, manufacturer, and installer of truck and railcar loading platforms
As one of the primary railcar loading points, Hardisty is one of the major crude oil hubs in North America and a major origination point of pipelines that export to the United States. SCS was asked to supply and construct a SafeRack crude oil loadout terminal spanning nearly half a mile. The USD Hardisty terminal can load up to two 120-railcar unit trains per day and consists of a fixed loading rack with 62 railcar loading positions enclosed, separate control, operator, and mechanical buildings, as well as a unit train staging area and loop tracks capable of holding multiple unit trains simultaneously. SCS also supplied and installed boom-supported loading arms with supply and vapor management systems.