The chemical distribution industry is reported to be worth £190 billion worldwide, so it’s no surprise to learn that global mobility has had a huge impact.  Chemicals no longer need to be transported via pipelines to the wider manufacturing community and it is incredibly common for materials to be transported by road, rail, and sea seeing a rise in tanker unloading applications.

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations, also known as ADR, International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) Regulations and International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code all cover the transport chain when moving hazardous fluids by road or rail, and one of the positive changes we have seen, is the chemical manufacturing industry’s preference o unload tankers and IBC’s using pumps over the more dated method of pressurising containers to “blow out” the contents.

Changes in pump technology and the advancement of compatible materials has made tanker unloading much safer and more efficient.

Choosing the Right Pump for Tanker Offloading Applications

Health & safety and chemical compatibility are important factors when choosing the right pump for your unloading applications.  Mag drive pumps are the safest choice for toxic and hazardous fluids as they feature zero-vapour loss.  It’s common knowledge that mag drive pumps shouldn’t be run dry; however, CDR Pumps’ manufactured mag drives can include Runsafe SiC bushes, axial thrusts, and shafts to minimise damage to the units.

Polypropylene or ETFE lined mag drive pumps are a popular choice for unloading applications as they increase the range of chemical compatibility.

The Challenges when Unloading Chemicals

The three main concerns to assess when looking for unloading solutions are:

• Priming the pumps before start-up
• The units being run dry when the container empties
• Nozzle loads and forces

Overcoming the challenges can be resolved with:

• Correct pump installation and, ensuring that you have priming processes in place,
• Runsafe SiC gives you additional protection and means your pump is more robust against catastrophic failures. Additional protection comes in the form of a Digital Load Monitor – comprising of two trip functions, the Digital Load Monitor has a low power alarm to stop the pump when the tanker empties, and a high power alarm to stop the feeder if there’s a blockage,
• Nozzle loads and force issues can be overcome with flexible pipework and cam-lock style fittings.

Why are Mag Drive Pumps Good for Tanker Unloading?

Specifically designed for hazardous duties, mag drive pumps are designed to ensure that no hazardous or toxic fluids and vapours are released into the environment.  Using pumps to offload a tanker or container gives you a more controlled environment.

The benefits of mag drive pumps in tanker unloading applications:

• Wide range of chemical compatibility,
• Run dry protection,
• Safer zero-vapour loss configuration,
• Removes the need for fume scrubbers as vapours can be returned to the tanker or container,
• Flow rates from 1m³/hr up to 320m³/hr (this can be variable with the right control measures in place such as an inverter),
• Option for a close-coupled pump or a long-coupled pump depending on your flow rate.

Tankers coming and going can cause pipework to move so lined pumps are a great choice – they offer great chemical resistance and the metallic outer casing means they are robust and strong however pumps are selected based on need so you might find a metallic mag drive such as the ETS or UTS works really well for tanker unloading applications.

Common Chemicals in Unloading Applications

• Acetone
• Acid Chloride
• Ammonium Sulphate
• Benzene
• Chloroform
• Cyclohexane
• Ethanol

• Formaldehyde
• Glycerin
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Hydrofluoric Acid
• Lithium Hydroxide
• Methane
• Nitric Acid

• Pentane
• Phosphoric Acid
• Sodium Bromide
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Sodium Hypochlorite
• Sodium Sulphate
• Sulphuric Acid