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Shipping, Labeling, Handling, and Storage
Bulk Containers
Tank Trucks
Unloading
- The use of tank trucks is authorized by DOT regulations. Sections
177.834, 177.837, and 177.841 of those regulations must be followed where
applicable. Local rules, regulations, and ordinances must also be observed.
- Tank trucks should be visually inspected for leaks before they are
allowed to enter the plant. If there is a leak, they should be moved to a
safe location and the shipper notified immediately. The shipper should be
requested to provide emergency and cleaning information and/or assistance.
- The shipper should be consulted for details on proper unloading
procedures.
- DOT Regulations, Section 177.834 (i) require that tank motor vehicles
be attended during loading and unloading. If it becomes necessary for the
attendant to leave the operation, transfer of epichlorohydrin must be
stopped and the system secured.
- Only qualified and properly instructed employees should operate the
truck and make the hook-up of the hose from the tank truck to the receiving
tank.
- Contents of the tank truck and the piping line to the receiving vessel
should be checked before epichlorohydrin is transferred.
- DOT Regulations, Section 177.837 (a) require that the truck engine
should be stopped and not started again during the entire unloading
operation except for a few situations which are not applicable to loading
and unloading epichlorohydrin.
- Truck brakes should be set, the wheels chocked.
- Isolate unloading area from traffic.
- All containers filled from the truck shall be bonded (electrically
connected) and grounded to the truck before filling operations are started.
- The operating mechanism for unloading valves or faucets should have a
secondary control, remote from
the fill openings and discharge faucets, for use in the event of accidents
or fire during delivery operations. The control mechanism should have a
fusible section which will permit valves to close automatically in case of
fire.
- Air should never be used for pressure unloading tank trucks of
epichlorohydrin. It is preferable to unload from the bottom by means of a
pump with the top vented to the receiving vessel. Use of inert gas pads or
closed unloading systems to prevent vapor discharge to the atmosphere is
recommended. If inert gas pressure is used, positive protection should be
provided to ensure that the tank cannot be overpressured.
If the tank truck is constructed for bottom unloading, use of a pump with
the top ventilated is the preferred method of unloading.
- Immediately before unloading is started, check all valves and
connections to be sure that flow will be properly directed. When flow has
been started, re-examine all valves, fittings, etc., for leaks. Should
repairs be necessary, stop unloading procedures until repairs can be
completed and spills cleaned up.
Damage Enroute
In case a tank truck becomes damaged enroute so that it cannot proceed safely to destination, every effort should be made to park it where it will not endanger traffic, the public or property. The police and fire department should be notified. Follow Shell Chem Card precautions (No. SCC 74334). For emergency assistance only, call CHEMTEC, (800) 424-9300 or Shell (713)473-9461.
Tank Cars
Unloading
- Because of the flammable and toxic properties of epichlorohydrin the
unloading of tank cars containing it is a hazardous operation.
- Shippers, instructions should always be followed and all caution
markings on both sides of tank and domes should be read and observed.
- See that the train or engine crew accurately spots the car at the
unloading line. The unloading track should be level. The brakes should be
set, wheels chocked by standard rail clamps, blue warning signs placed and
other safe practices followed as outline in MCA TC-4.
- Where it appears beneficial, the use of derailers is encouraged during
the unloading operations. Wheel chocks are required by DOT Regulation 174.67 a(2) as well as caution signs described in DOT Regulation 174.67(3). Signs must be so placed on the track or car as to give necessary warning to personnel such as operators of
switching equipment as the approach the car from the open end or ends of
the siding; these signs must be used until the car is unloaded and
disconnected from discharge connection.
- Car number should be compared with that on shipping papers or invoice
to verify contents of car and avoid mixing of products. In addition, a
sample should be taken to verify the contents.
- Tank cars should preferably be unloaded through the dome connection
rather than through the bottom outlet. All Shell tank cars for
epichlorohydrin service are equipped only from dome unloading. Air
pressure must never be used for this purposed. Use of a pump or controlled
inert gas pressure is the recommended method. If circumstances require
bottom unloading, proper procedures should be obtained and followed. Tank
cars approved for bottom unloading must be equipped with valving approved
by the American Association of Railroad,s Committee on Tank Cars and
consistent with DOT Regulations. The purpose of such valving is to contain
the product and control the flow during unloading. As an added precaution,
it id desirable where practical and where conditions warrant, to apply a
supplementary control in the unloading system to provide a secondary and
remotely actuated closure in the event of accidents involving fire or car
movement. The car should be vented to a closed system during unloading.
- If gas pressure is used in place of pumping, pressure must not exceed
the pressure setting of relief device on rail car or receiving tank.
- If tank car will be unloaded by pump, make sure that the car is
continually vented, preferably back to the receiving vessel, or is padded
with an inert gas.
- Immediately before unloading is started, check all valves and
connections so as to be sure flow will be properly directed. When flow has
been started, re-examine all valves, fittings, etc., for leaks. Should
repairs be necessary, stop unloading procedure until repairs can be
completed and spills cleaned up.
Return Precautions
- As soon as the tank car is completely unloaded, all valves must be made
tight, the unloading connections removed, and all other closures made
tight. DOT Regulations, Section 172.510(c) concerning return empty
placarding must be observed.
Storage (See NFPA No. 30)
Indoor Storage
- When filled, drums or other containers are stored indoors, they should
be stored in noncombustible, well-ventilated structures. When stored in
separate storage rooms, trapped floor drains should be provided. The
floors should be pitched to the drains, and the drains should lead to safe
location through proper trapping. In case no drains are provided, 4" curbs
or a drained gutter, covered with appropriate grill, should be constructed
at door openings. All storage areas should be provided with automatic
sprinkler systems or other fire extinguishing system suitable for interior
storage.
- Incompatible materials, as described in Section 3.3, should not be
stored in the same area.
Bulk Storage
- The storage of epichlorohydrin in above and below ground tanks poses
certain problems relating to such factors as size of vents, diking, and
separation distances, which depend upon other variables such as tank size,
tank design, and tank protection. It is recommended that tank storage
requirements be determined through consultation with qualified fire
protection engineers.
- Bulk storage systems should be installed and used in accord with NFPA
Codes for flammable liquid storage and with local codes and ordinances.
- Bulk storage systems should provide positive assurance against
inadvertent mixing of epichlorohydrin with other chemicals.
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