We recently completed a project for a large-scale Chemical Manufacturer, helping streamline their loading operations. They were looking at ways to reduce manual handling on site and reduce risks of leaks and spillages.
Overview
We were called to their site where they were loading and unloading several ISO tankers daily with a butadiene liquid. The existing system utilised 2 Klaw breakaways connected to the pipework with 3” and 2” hoses and flanges that connected to the tanker. Due to the corrosive nature of the liquid being loaded, the operation also required use of a vapour return hose which site operators had in place next to the liquid line. A risk assessment of the site identified that this system was at risk of leakage and spillage, thus posing a slip hazard to employees and danger of product loss. They were looking to incorporate a system with couplers for loading and unloading in order to remove this risk. However, incorporating couplers would make the system too heavy for operators to manage and so with the new system they were looking for a solution that would remove the need for manual handling by operators.
Proposed Solution
IFC Inflow specialise in safe tanker loading and unloading systems so we were confident we would be able to find a solution that removed as many leak, spill and manual handling risks involved as possible. Our expert recommendation for the site was a TLA-201 duplex loading arm, with a material specification of AISI 316 stainless steel for both the 3” liquid and 2” vapour recovery arms with a carbon steel standpost. The bottom loading station was made by two arms mounted on a stand-post, one arm is for the liquid phase and one for the vapour phase. The bottom loading arms are designed to transfer LPG, Industrial Gases, or pressurized liquids like Ammonia in a closed circuit system. The design allows a wide working area with a compact solution.
Challenges
The main challenge when it came to installing the equipment was working around the site’s existing infrastructure. We made sure to map out the precise positioning of tankers during loading and unloading to ensure equipment was optimally placed to make connection effortless. We were able to achieve this and successfully complete the project, allowing the company to incorporate dry break couplings into their loading station and removing the need for manual handling. Incorporating dry break couplings into the system removed risk of product loss or hazards related to spillage or leakage.
Results
Installation was successful. The client were very happy with the results and are now able to operate an efficient and safe loading system on their tanker loading site.
