Get Ammonia Tanker Unloading Procedure

Large quantities of anhydrous ammonia are typically transported in a variety of conveyances. On land, ammonia is usually transported as a pressurized liquefied gas by railway in tank cars, by highway in tanker trucks, in agricultural areas in nurse tanks, and also via pipelines traversing through populated areas.

Ammonia is transported by rail and truck in pressurised liquid form. Insulated vessels with refrigeration systems are used for ocean and barge shipment.

Ammonia expansion with temperature limits the loading of ammonia to 57%-85% of the tank's volume. In these tanks, ammonia is transported as a pressurized liquid at a pressure of 1.5-1.6 Mpa. Tanks usually have a thickness of 1.75 cm and are covered with a 0.32-cm jacket.

The global industrial production of ammonia in 2021 was 235 million tonnes. Industrial ammonia is sold either as ammonia liquor (usually 28% ammonia in water) or as pressurised or refrigerated anhydrous liquid ammonia transported in tank cars or cylinders.

The maximum pressure normally attained inside the tanker while transporting ammonia is about 7 Kg/cm2. All the truck tankers hold a valid license to transport ammonia issued by the Chief Controller of Explosives under Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules 1981.

During Unloading: Secure the unloading hose after you uncover discharge connections. Close receiving valves before you attach discharge hose. Open the receiving tank and make sure all other tanks are closed. Vent trailer. Start unloading your material. Open the discharge valve as carefully as you can while checking for leaks.

The most common road trailer used to transport anhydrous ammonia is the MC 331 high pressure tank. It has a capacity of 11,500 gallons and can also transport propane, butane, and LPG. The operating pressure of the vessel is 300 pounds per square inch (psi).

Loading Rack for Ammonia Storage Tank. Ammonia is delivered by an outside source, such as a rail car, over-the-road tank car, or cylinder. Pumps, compressors, or simply differential pressure is used to transfer the ammonia to the storage vessels (or other portions of the system).