Non-Pressure Tank Cars

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Non-Pressure Tank Cars

• Fort Bend County Hazardous Regional hazardous
  Materials Response Team

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Tank Car Emergency Response

• Overview
• While problems with tank cars occur infrequently,
  response personnel are called upon to handle
  those few problems. When faced with a tank
  problem,the responders ability to communicate an
  accurate and detailed description of the
  contents, condition of the tank, and other
  circumstances is extremely important.

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Non-Pressure Tank Cars

• Transport hazardous and non-hazardous materials
  with vapor pressures below 25 psig at 105-115F
• Tank pressures are 60 to 100 psi
• Capacities range from 4,000 to 45, 000 gallons

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Tank Car Appearance

• Cylindrical with rounded ends
• At least one manway for access to the tanks
  interior
• Fittings for loading/unloading, pressure and/or
  vacuum relief, gauging, and other purposes are
  visible at the top and/or bottom of the car

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Tank Car Structure

• Body Bolster
• Cradles the tank
• Continuous underframe
• Absorbs the draft and buff forces of train
  movement
• Stub Sill
• Attaches the the tank to its trucks
• Truck
• Consists of wheels, axles, side frames springs,
  truck bolster, center bowl and pin.

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Side and End Identification Nomenclature

• Tank divided into quadrants
• The B end of the car is the end with the hand
  brake
• All nomenclature is based on facing the B end
  of the car
• Truck wheels designated along left and right side

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Commodities

• Class 3 (flammables)
• Class 4 (flammable solids/reactive liquids and
  solids)
• Class 5 (oxidizers/organic peroxides)
• Class 6 (poisons and irritants)
• Class 8 (corrosives)

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Tank Car Markings

• Overview
• Knowledge of the tank and its contents will help
  you size up the problem and plan a response.
  These markings may be difficult to read from a
  distance, but aided vision may allow you to read
  the markings, including
• Initials (reporting marks) and number
• Capacity stencil
• Specification marking

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Reporting Marks and Number

• Unique set of initials
• The initials and numbers are stencilled on both
  sides (to the left when facing the car) and both
  ends (upper center) of the tank car
• Useful getting information about cars contents
  from shipper.

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Capacity Stencil

• Shows the volume of the tank car in gallons or
  pounds.
• Stencilled on both ends of the car under the
  cars initials and number
• The term load limit may be used to mean the
  same thing as capacity

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Specification Marking Components

• Approving Authority
• Class Number
• Delimiter letter
• Tank Test Pressure
• Material Construction
• Weld Construction
• Other Features
• Additional Information

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Specific Characteristics

• General Service
• Manway
• Safety relief valve
• Mailbox
• Liquid line
• Vapor line
• Vacuum breaker
• Bottom valve or top operated bottom valve

• Acid Car
• Manway
• Liquid line
• Vapor line
• Vent with frangible disk

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Potential location of Leaks

• Overview
• Most tank car problems are associated with their
  fittings. Quite often, tightening a valve or a
  fitting with readily available hand tools can
  stop these releases.

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Basic Methods for Stopping Releases

• If its open, close it (clockwise to close)
• If its loose, tighten it (clockwise to tighten)
• If a component is missing (but near by), replace
  it
• If a pressure relief valve activates, dont try
  to tighten it, or cover it, initiate emergency
  procedures
• If not trained as a tank car specialist, seek
  assistance, initiate emergency procedures

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Tank Damage Assessment

• Cracks
• Scores and Gouges
• Wheel burns
• Dents
• Rail burns
• Puncture
• Flame impingement
• Corrosion

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Thank You