Container Shipping

Although each production process yields ash that is essentially chemically equivalent, the various products differ ia physical properties and ia contaminants as shown ia Table 6. Hopper cars, pneumatic tmcks, supersacks, and multiwaH kraft bags with polyethylene liners are the usual shipping containers. 

Moisture and Water Content. Resins are thoroughly washed with water upon completion of manufacture and conversion (if necessary) to another ionic form. Excess water is removed by vacuum draining or filtration. Nevertheless, a significant quantity of water associated with the functional groups and adhering to the outer surface of the resin particles remains with the resin as it is discharged into shipping containers. No effort is made to dry the resin, except in a few appHcation areas, since the resins are used in aqueous processes in most installations. 

Fumaric acid is shipped ia soHd form, the particle size varying based upon the specification. The standard shipping containers are 50-lb bags (25 kg bags outside the United States), supersacks containing up to 2500 lbs, and occasionally bulk hopper tmck. 

Solids. Increasing use of bulk cars, especially of covered hopper cars, has accompanied the expansion of the tank-car fleet. The principal drawback of bulk cars is the requirement for limited use, specialized cars, which necessitates a large investment. However, if such investment can be justified, the cost of transportation for dry bulk materials ia hopper cars usually is less than those for goods ia shipping containers. In many instances, such cars are used in closed-loop service that is, they shuttle in unit trains between filling and discharge points. Similar equipment is also used in specialized highway vehicles whose tmck bodies can incorporate dump hoppers and built-in conveyors. 

A fiber dmm is a cylindrical shipping container made of convolutely wound layers of fiberboard adhered to each other to form a soHd wall. Constmction materials for the ends include metal, plastic, and fiberboard. Fiber dmms are subject to DOT and, for international shipment, U.N. regulations when used forha2ardous materials. Reference to these regulations is necessary before selecting a fiber dmm. 

G. G. Maltenfort, Corrugated Shipping Containers HnEngineeringNpproach,] xn.2LTPuh]ishm.g Co., Inc., Plainview, N.J., 1990. 

Tecommended Practices GeneralMotes on Anti-Skid Treatments forFibreboard Shipping Containers, Eibei Box Association, Rolling Meadows, lU., 1992. 

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Boxes. Cormgated and soHd fiber boxes are used primarily as shipping containers. Both types of containers are made from several layers of paperboard, normally referred to as combined board. Container board is the material from which the combined board is fabricated. Although both types of boxes serve the same general purpose, eg, in the handling, storage, and transportation of commodities, they differ markedly in thein manufacture, stmcture, and performance. 

Liquid polyalurninum chloride is acidic and corrosive to common metals. Suitable materials for constmction of storage and handling facilities include synthetic mbber-lined steel, corrosion resistant fiber glass reinforced plastics (FRP), ceramics, tetrafluoroethylene polymer (PTFE), poly(vinyhdene fluoride) (PVDF), polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVG). Suitable shipping containers include mbber-lined tank tmcks and rail cars for bulk shipment and plastic-lined or aH-plastic dmms and tote bins for smaller quantities. Except for aluminum chlorohydrates, PAG products are shipped as hazardous substances because of their acidity. 

Shipment, Stora.ge, ndPrice. l-Methyl-2-pyrrohdinone is available in tank cars or tank trailers as well as in dmms. Shipping containers are normally of unlined steel. Rubber hose is unsuitable for handling standard steel pipe or braided steel hose is acceptable. Ordinarily 1020 carbon steel (0550) is satisfactory as a storage material. Stainless-steel 304 and 316, nickel, and aluminum are also suitable. MethylpyrroHdinone is hygroscopic and must be protected from atmospheric moisture. In September 1994, NMP was Hsted at 3.89/kg. 

The NRC has developed special procedures for the handling, transportation, and storage of nuclear fuel because radioactivity can be a health hazard if not properly shielded. Spent fuel is typically transported by rail or tmck in heavily shielded (Type B), sealed, thick metal shipping containers designed to withstand possible accidents, such as derailments or coHisions, which may occur during transport. The NRC certifies that each shipping container meets federal requirements. The U.S. Department of Transportation sets the rules for transportation. 

Thiols are shipped ia every conceivable container size. Dmms and cans can be of carbon steel for most thiols, provided color is not a determining factor. Tmck, rail, and isocontainer shipments should be set up to utilize a vapor return line from the tank to the shipping container. This substantially minimizes the amount of odor that escapes. Phillips Petroleum Company and Atochem North America can supply further information regarding the handling and properties of many thiols. 

Shipment and Storage, Specifications. A/-Vinyl-2-pyrrohdinone is available in tank cars and tank trailers and in dmms of various sizes. Shipping containers are normally steel or stainless steel. Tank cars are provided with heating coils to facihtate unloading in cold weather. Rubber, epoxy, and epoxy—phenohc coatings are attacked and must be avoided. Carbon steel has been successfully used for storage tanks, but stainless steel preserves product quahty better. Aluminum and certain phenohc coatings are also satisfactory. 

Barium also presents a hydrogen explosion ha2ard if allowed to come iato contact with water or atmospheric moisture, and must always be kept dry and preferably sealed ia the shipping containers. 

Packaging for distilled spirits intended for domestic distribution is regulated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). This strict supervision estabhshes acceptable container size, labeling, and sealing requirements, as well as the disclosure of information on the shipping container. Furthermore, local and state distilled spirits labeling and packaging requirements must also be met. 

Calcium metal and most calcium compounds are nontoxic. In massive pieces the metal does not spontaneously bum in air. Calcium can be touched with dry bare hands without harm. Care must be taken, however, to avoid contact with water owing to the exothermic Hberation of hydrogen and the resulting explosion hazard. Calcium must always be kept dry and preferably sealed in the shipping containers. 

Transportation of carbon disulfide is controlled by federal regulations (113). Acceptable shipping containers include dmms, tank tmcks, special portable tanks, and rail tank cars. Barges have been used in the past. The United States Department of Transportation classifies carbon disulfide as a flammable bquid and a poison. For ship transport, carbon disulfide must be marked as a marine pollutant (114). AH air transport, cargo, or passenger, is forbidden (115). 

The crystalline sodium chlorate is usually dried in rotary driers to less than 0.2 wt % moisture content and is loaded into shipping containers or stored in moisture-free bins or silos prior to packaging. For conventional chlorine dioxide generators, sodium chlorate is shipped as a solution containing ca 200 g/L (15 wt %, 3.4 M) sodium chloride ca 350 g/L (26 wt %, 3.3 M) sodium chlorate and 130 ppm chromium. Alternatively, for newer chlorine dioxide generators, 600 g/L sodium chlorate 30 g/L sodium chloride and less than 30 ppm chromium is used. 

Stabili2ed 1,1,1-dichloroethane is stable to normal shipping conditions, and has been shipped in metal and lined dmms, tank tmcks, rail cars, barges, and ships. Care must be taken that the container is free from previously contained material because of the high solvency of 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Shipping containers should also be dry. 

In a typical process the finely divided dry crystals are compacted under heat and pressure in a roU press into briquettes having a density of 1.550 to 1.590. The briquettes are passed to a rotary screen where the fins, thin layers of material attached to the periphery of the briquette centerline, are removed and reprocessed. The finished briquettes pass into large storage bins from where they are loaded into rail-hopper cars or shipping bins or packaged into dmms and other shipping containers. 

The cyanide, which crystallizes in the anhydrous state from aqueous solution, is recovered by evaporation under reduced pressure, filtration, and drying. Because the crystal size is significantly larger than sodium cyanide it can be sold in powder form without excessive dusting. However, it tends to cake in the shipping container and is often compacted and granulated to larger sizes. 

FIG. 21-37 Marldngwhich complies with U.S. DOT and UN regulations and applies to a speciBc open-head steel drum. (Couttesy of the Steel Shipping Container Institute, Union, NJ.)... 

Parameter Domestic paper hag Bulk corrugated-paper box Intermediate hulk container Bulk hopper truck Ship container Railroad hopper car Intermediate hulk container... 

Often used in UPC Shipping Container Code formats. 

The most important bulk containers are railroad hopper cars, highway hopper trucks, portable bulk bins, van-type (ship) containers, barges, and ships. Factors determining the suit ihty of any of these containers (after establishing whether open or closed containers are to be used) depend on product physical properties, the most important of which are ease of flow, corrosiveness, and sensitivity to contamination. 

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