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Basic Chemicals

Chlorinated Organics
Closed Loop Unloading of Solvent Tank Trailers
Closed loop unloading systems are designed Truck Mounted Unloading Pump
to minimize solvent vapor emissions during (Fig. 2)
transfer by exchanging the liquid solvent in This method of transfer utilizes a tractor or
the trailer with the storage tank vapors. trailer- mounted pump which is supplied by
Closed loop unloading systems can rely on a the carrier. Depending on the type of pump,
customer-supplied unloading pump or a this system may not be able to completely
carrier-supplied unloading pump. For discharge all of the product from the
customers providing the transfer pump, a unloading hose and inlet line once the
self-priming centrifugal pump can help transfer is complete. Since the unloading
minimize priming problems that other pump hose must be manually drained, these
designs may encounter. Seal leakage may systems may not satisfy state or local
be controlled by using a dry cut-off sealless requirements for ‘closed loop’ transfer. When
pump, or by using dual mechanical seals with ordering, the customer must specify a carrier-
an appropriate barrier fluid. Regardless of the supplied pump when relying on this type of
specific system design, all closed loop system.
transfers require a vapor return hose/piping
system and an appropriate vapor return hose Securing Connections
connection on the delivery trailer. Vapor recovery connections are typically
located on top of the trailer dome, but in
Customer Supplied Unloading Pump some instances may be installed at ground
(Fig. 1) level. Typical vapor return tank trailer
Unloading with a customer-supplied pump is connections are of either Camlok or Chicago-
a common method of closed loop transfer. type design. Since the type, diameter, and
The customer's pump pulls product from the style of connector as well as its location on
trailer and discharges it into the storage the tank trailer will affect the type of
tank while a separate vent line transfers equipment necessary, it is important for both
tank vapors back to the trailer. This system the customer and carrier to understand the
allows the unloading hose and any fixed system and agree in advance on who is to
piping located on the intake-side of the provide the necessary equipment.
pump to be evacuated of solvent during
pump operation. Piping on the discharge Residual Product
side of the pump will still contain solvent A small amount of product may be present
after the transfer is complete. Presence of in the unloading hose after the transfer is
residual solvent in the delivery hose is complete. The customer is responsible for
minimized. handling this residual. Many customers
recover this residual for use in their
500-114 Chlorinated Organics 08/2018

Important: The information presented herein, while not guaranteed, was prepared by
technical personnel and is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. NO WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY
OR GUARANTY OF ANY OTHER KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING
PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, SUITABILITY, STABILITY OR OTHERWISE. This information is
not intended to be all-inclusive as to the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage,
disposal and other factors that may involve other or additional legal, environmental, safety
14555 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400 or performance considerations, and Occidental Chemical Corporation assumes no liability
Dallas, TX 75254 whatsoever for the use of or reliance upon this information. While our technical personnel
will be happy to respond to questions, safe handling and use of the product remains the
800-752-5151 responsibility of the customer. No suggestions for use are intended as, and nothing herein
shall be construed as, a recommendation to infringe any existing patents or to violate any
Federal, State, local or foreign laws.
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Basic Chemicals

operation. It is never acceptable to drain permitted to install a ‘blow-down tee’ at the

the residual product onto the ground. If the inlet fitting for the purpose of ‘blowing’
residual must be discarded, it must be residual product back into the delivery trailer.
handled as a hazardous waste.
Design Considerations
The customer's product inlet fitting should
Where a supply of dry, inert, pressure-
be designed with a valved drain tee to
regulated gas is available, residual product
facilitate the controlled relief of excess
remaining in the hose can be ‘blown’ into the
pressure on the unloading hose and the
receiving tank. This operation requires the
capture of any residual product.
carrier to supply a ‘blow-down tee’ between
the pump and unloading hose. Storage tanks
and solvent handling systems must be Inlet fittings and customer-supplied pumps
designed to handle the additional gas are generally designed to be positioned lower
introduced into the storage system from this than the trailer discharge pipe to gravity-
operation. In order to minimize solvent vapor assist in priming and draining. Systems
emissions, the excess gas may be vented to designed to accept a short unloading hose
a refrigerated chiller, an activated carbon (supplied by customer), or no more than one
bed, or sent to a vent incinerator. standard length of carrier-supplied hose (20
ft.), will reduce the amount of residual product
The compressed gas can be supplied by the that must be handled.
carrier’s delivery tractor air compressor, or
from a customer supply. Customer inert gas Product transfer and vapor return hoses are
supplies must be regulated to 30 psig most commonly fitted with 2-inch stainless
maximum and should be passed through a steel female Camlok quick connect fittings.
filter and dryer to reduce the potential for The customer's inlet must be equipped to
particle and moisture contamination. accept these fittings. Caps should always be
installed on the fittings when not in use. If
If a ‘blow-down tee’ is not available on the different fittings are to be used, the
carrier’s equipment, residual product left in requirements must be specified when placing
the solvent hose can be manually drained orders. NOTE: Camlok fittings are not dry
into an appropriate, clean receptacle by disconnects.
‘walking the hose’. This requires a valved
drain tee at the customer’s inlet fitting, If adding excess air or nitrogen into a storage
manual lifting of hoses, and may subject system, it is important to confirm that the tank
employees to potential solvent vapor and auxiliary equipment are appropriately
exposures. In some states or localities it vented or pressure rated. Pressure/vacuum
may not be acceptable to open the line to relief devices are always recommended for
the atmosphere for the purpose of draining. storage tanks.

Regardless of the method selected for

handling residual product, customers are not
500-114 Chlorinated Organics 08/2018

Important: The information presented herein, while not guaranteed, was prepared by
technical personnel and is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. NO WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY
OR GUARANTY OF ANY OTHER KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING
PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, SUITABILITY, STABILITY OR OTHERWISE. This information is
not intended to be all-inclusive as to the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage,
disposal and other factors that may involve other or additional legal, environmental, safety
14555 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400 or performance considerations, and Occidental Chemical Corporation assumes no liability
Dallas, TX 75254 whatsoever for the use of or reliance upon this information. While our technical personnel
will be happy to respond to questions, safe handling and use of the product remains the
800-752-5151 responsibility of the customer. No suggestions for use are intended as, and nothing herein
shall be construed as, a recommendation to infringe any existing patents or to violate any
Federal, State, local or foreign laws.
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Basic Chemicals

Safety and Regulatory Considerations MC407 or MC412 trailers manufactured after

In accordance with DOT regulations carriers 09/95. The maximum allowable working
cannot "cap" the unloading hose following pressures for these trailers are 25 psig and
transfer and travel with residual product in 30 psig respectively.
hoses or piping [49 CFR 173.33(3)(e)]. It is
the customer's responsibility to ensure that Trailers should never be pressured when
delivery hoses are properly drained after unloading with a closed loop system.
unloading is complete. However, if nitrogen or air is introduced into a
trailer, the pressure should never exceed the
Trailer grounding is required when maximum allowable working pressure listed
transferring flammable liquids. However, on the trailer specification plate. Due to
trailers unloading non-flammable safety and environmental concerns, empty
chlorinated solvents generally remain trailers are not to be transported under
ungrounded. pressure.

Carrier Requirements Further Information can be obtained by

If the customer wants a "valved blow-down calling or writing:
tee" or other special equipment or fittings to Oxy Chem
be supplied by the carrier, these Technical Service Center
requirements must be specified when PO Box 12283
ordering and arranged for the carrier. Wichita, KS 67277-2283
Requirements should be clearly indicated as 800.733.1165 Ext. 1
part of the order. Be aware that some www.oxy.com
carriers will not supply certain items. It is
the customer’s responsibility to ensure that
both the equipment and method used for
unloading will satisfy all state or local
requirements.

A valved blow-down tee is generally

equipped with a standard 3/4 inch air quick
connect fitting (Chicago type). The
compressor mounted on the tractor would
typically be supplied by air. Again, all
arrangements must be confirmed in advance.

The most common trailers used for

chlorinated solvent bulk transport are MC307
or MC312 manufactured before 09/95 and
500-114 Chlorinated Organics 08/2018

Important: The information presented herein, while not guaranteed, was prepared by
technical personnel and is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. NO WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY
OR GUARANTY OF ANY OTHER KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING
PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, SUITABILITY, STABILITY OR OTHERWISE. This information is
not intended to be all-inclusive as to the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage,
disposal and other factors that may involve other or additional legal, environmental, safety
14555 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400 or performance considerations, and Occidental Chemical Corporation assumes no liability
Dallas, TX 75254 whatsoever for the use of or reliance upon this information. While our technical personnel
will be happy to respond to questions, safe handling and use of the product remains the
800-752-5151 responsibility of the customer. No suggestions for use are intended as, and nothing herein
shall be construed as, a recommendation to infringe any existing patents or to violate any
Federal, State, local or foreign laws.
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Basic Chemicals

Figure 1
500-114 Chlorinated Organics 12/2014
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Basic Chemicals

Figure 2
500-114 Chlorinated Organics 12/2014