About Chemical & Acid Tank Trucks
Chemical and acid tank trucks are designed to transport potentially hazardous materials. These tank trucks have GVWRs (gross vehicle weight ratings) between 26,001 and 33,000 pounds (11,800 and 15,000 kilograms) or more, which means they are often heavy-duty trucks. Tank sizes will range from around 1,000 to 6,000 gallons (3,785 to 22,700 liters) and up.
The material a tank is constructed of determines what types of chemicals can be stored inside. Stainless-steel tanks are the most common and can be used to transport mild acids, combustible liquids, and some corrosives. Other popular materials include aluminum and FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastic). Some liquids, such as hydrochloric acid for example, are highly corrosive to metals, including stainless steel and aluminum, so they need to be stored in either FRP tanks or stainless-steel tanks lined with rubber or plastic.
Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Chemical Truck
Common Tank Shapes & Features
Most tanks designed to haul hazardous materials are cylindrical, which gives them fewer structural weak points than you might find in a rectangular dry freight trailer whose outer shell doesn’t need to withstand the same amounts of pressure. This can help prevent leaks, and the rounded bottom of the tank also makes it easier to unload using little more than gravity because the liquid funnels down, although it’s also common to unload these tanks with a pump near the top or using pressure to push the liquid through a hose.
Some tanks are built for bulk transport, whereas others have baffles that divide the space inside into separate compartments for carrying multiple liquids at once. Baffles can introduce corners and crevices that may make the tank more difficult to clean and lead to residue buildup. This is inconvenient and can lead to safety hazards due to unexpected chemical reactions. On the plus side, baffles can be used to prevent liquid from surging, or moving around erratically inside the tank while the truck is in motion. In larger tanks, surging liquid can affect the movement of the truck and make driving harder for the operator, especially in poor weather conditions.
Trucks with mounted tanks are more common, but there are other models that resemble flatbed trucks and are designed to carry several smaller tanks filled with various chemicals and other liquids, like oil or antifreeze. These trucks often have shorter sides that fold down to make it easier to load and unload the tanks, and they generally have all of the pumps, hoses, and other components needed for transferring or applying chemicals.
Tanks designed to carry hazardous materials include features like acid-resistant lining to keep corrosives away from metal, as well as temperature control and pressurization systems to maintain optimal conditions for chemicals. Common safety features include relief valves to reduce pressure caused by blockages, sensors that can detect temperature and pressure changes as well as leaks, walkways with railings for operator safety, and more.
Operator Certification
In many cases, DOT hazmat (Department of Transportation hazardous materials) certification will be required to operate a chemical tank truck as well as to load and unload the tanks. This may include employee-based hazmat training that covers topics like general awareness, safety and security, and job-specific functions. However, drivers will have to go through more in-depth training to familiarize themselves with specific DOT requirements, including 49 CFR Part 177, which deals specifically with vehicles carrying hazardous materials. These regulations require recertification every three years. The DOT also requires operators to apply decals that signify what is being transported in tanks, such as corrosive liquids or organic peroxide, for example.
Possible Applications
Chemical and acid tank trucks are used in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, agriculture, and pest control. Some are designed to carry hydrochloric acid, which is used for battery production and steel pickling and can also be used in the oil and gas industry to clear away debris in and around oil wells. Others can be used to deliver chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides to farms.
Find The Right Chemical Truck
TruckPaper.com offers a number of used chemical and acid tank trucks for sale, including models from leading brands like International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, Sterling, and others.
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