Chemical Processing: Plant Enhances Loading/Unloading Operations

The September 2017 issue of Chemical Processing magazine features an in-depth article on loading and unloading operations for bulk liquid materials, presented by Bill Lesser, the global RS manager for Husky Corporation. The article points out that the number of safety related incidents involving hoses, hose adapters and couplings remains problematic, while safety in other areas around materials loading/unloading has shown dramatic improvements over the past decade. Mr. Lesser also offers a solution for operations looking to improve safety and efficiency -- use a hose loading arm.

Greg Ohlhues, the operations engineering manager at the Hawkins Inc. Rosemount, MN plant offered his experience when installing and using a Roman Seliger SGA loading arm.

He made these comments in the article: "We've found the benefits to be exactly what we were looking for. It de-cluttered the work space and improved handling by the operators. They no longer have to lift and drag the unloading hose across the gangway to the rail car. Plus the arm lowering and lifting mechanism by the railcar makes it easy for them to work around the fall protection cage. One additional advantage we did not foresee was the way the connection is made to the car. It removes stress on the hose crimped connection and railcar connection nozzle by being able to come straight off the top of the railcar with the hose being supported independently."

Here is a link to the entire article on the Chemical Processing web site:

http://www.chemicalprocessing.com/articles/2017/material-handling-plant-enhances-loadingunloading-operations/

Husky will be showing a sample loading arm at the upcoming Chem Show in New York, October 31- November 2, 2017 at booth 442. You might be interested to know the Chem Show is where Hawkins Inc. first saw the Roman Seliger SGA loading arm.

Safety: The Value of P/V Vents

If you think about storage tanks, consider how well they need to breathe. That factor is critical to safety. It also has environmental implications.

Storage tanks need to breathe 'in' when liquid is being removed from the tank. If there's no way to safely inhale, there is a chance the tank could implode. This vacuum condition needs to be controlled by allowing outside air to flow into the tank.  Tanks also need to breathe 'out' when being filled with liquid. So if there is no safe way to exhale, either the tank could rupture or vapors could escape causing waste and pollution. This over-pressure condition must also be controlled by allowing air (and only air) to safely flow out of the tank. Changes in thermal conditions can also cause fluctuation in tank pressure levels that need to be controlled. 

That is why pressure/vacuum vents are so important. These all-in-one devices are commonly called breather valves and have become staples of safety for storage tanks. Husky pressure/vacuum, or P/V, vents utilize three separate valves to control over-pressure and vacuum conditions that arise in storage tanks.

"When installed properly, the Husky Pressure Vacuum (P/V) Vent Valve can manage the positive and negative pressures in storage tanks along with emergency venting. The Husky P/V vent was designed to meet the positive and negative cracking pressures and leak rates set by the latest CARB specification to minimize vapor exposure and emissions," said Tim Schroeder, Husky Product Design Engineer. "The emergency venting feature was added to handle abnormal fuel deliveries."

Husky offers four models of Pressure/Vacuum vents which are suitable for a variety of applications. Information about these products can be found at  http://www.husky.com/husky/pressurevacuum-vents/pv-vent-8060/

The company has also prepared a video to demonstrate the recommended installation procedure for its P/V vents. if there are concerns about shipping damage, perform the California Air Resources Board (CARB) TP-201.1E bench test before installing. The bench test steps are also outlined in the video.

Please refer to the installation instructions that came with your Husky P/V Vent if you have any additional questions.