Although no two Acrylonitrile Loading solutions will be identical, the product itself determines much of the critical design criteria that will ensure that optimum safety and productivity can work together in harmony. 

What is Acrylonitrile? Acrylonitrile, also referred to as Vinyl Cyanide or Propenenitrile, is manufactured by combining propylene, ammonia and air in a process called ammoxidation. During this process propylene, ammonia and air are fed through a catalyst at a high temperature.  Acrylonitrile is primarily used as an intermediate to produce synthetic rubber and plastics.  It’s typically a colorless volatile liquid, although some commercial samples can be tainted  yellow due to impurities.

In the United States, Acrylonitrile is a “tight-fill” (closed-loop) loading operation and is loaded into rail cars via chemical hoses or 3” stainless steel loading arms. Acrylonitrile, if not handled properly can cause serious injuries and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required. Additionally, because operators are on top of the vehicles during the loading process, robust, well-designed fall prevention is essential to ensure increased throughput, without compromising operator safety.

Acrylonitrile is typically shipped in 26,000 gallon DOT-111 insulated or non-insulated tank cars with safety valves that meet the DOT specification for the transportation of  Acrylonitrile and other like commodities. The rails cars themselves are ~ 9′ outside diameter with an overall length of ~45’ to 50′, with a 6’ x 6’ center opening or off-set crash box openings.