How good is your tank car value? Are you using the best available components for your tank car? Well, there are no recommendations or norms decided by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), using which you can find out if the components of your tank car are the best. Similarly, there are no testing facilities to compare the performance of tank car fitting products. Undoubtedly, most tank car components must withstand harsh environments, but the actual temperature and pressure they encounter are far from extreme. For this reason, some tank car parts manufacturers only design their components to meet these limits.
However, not all manufacturers can stand by their words. So you must be very careful when selecting a tank car part manufacturer. But before you step out in search of a reputable and trustworthy tank car fitting parts supplier, continue reading and learn some interesting facts about tank cars that you must know.
Tank cars- Things you must know
Tank cars, also known as tankers, are used in numerous industries today. They are described as commercial vehicles equipped with containers that can be either single or compartmentalized. These large moveable containers can hold anything from swimming pool water to jet fuel. Generally, they carry large volumes of liquid material; however, they are used for several jobs and in many industries. Tank cars or tankers are available in different sizes, including units with single rear axles to dual-equipped ones with tractor-trailers hauling more significant amounts and requiring specific operational training. Besides this, there is a lot to be known about these vehicles for them to be used appropriately and driven.
Size considerations
These tank cars or tankers may range from 1000 gallons capacity for smaller versions to 11,600 gallons for the most prominent versions. Smaller units under 3000 gallons are typically used for local deliveries such as heating oil, liquid petroleum, water, natural gas, and on-site jet fuel delivery for airplane fueling. The larger types are generally used for long-distance deliveries of chemicals, gasoline, oil, and other liquids. Refrigerated versions of this movable holding vessel are used to carat milk from dairies; even vacuum septic trucks are considered tanker versions. Larger units can be divided inside the container to carry more than one liquid at a time.
Construction considerations
Other than size, an essential feature of any large container is its construction and the material used, which will differ based on how a truck will be employed. For this reason, most of these unique materials-carrying vehicles and their parts are built and equipped to haul only one type of liquid. Tanks are usually constructed from carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or sometimes fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Other options that can be included are- insulated versus non-insulated and pressurized versus non-pressurized. Each option fits the transportation regulations of the different liquids being carried based on corrosive properties, any possible chemical reaction between fluids and the metal of which the tank or its fittings are made, and food safety regulations.
Safety and maintenance
Maintenance– As with any commercial vehicle, these trucks require on-time, regular maintenance. A breakdown or malfunction with this truck can be much more severe than one occurring with other types of commercial vehicles. The tank should be examined for leaks and dents and the proper functioning of all valves, vents, and covers.
Safety equipment- Emergency shutoff devices and other tank car fitting products should be routinely tested, and grounding equipment should be carefully monitored for proper functioning. All safety gear and equipment carried by each truck and operator must always be present and in condition to serve its intended purpose.
