Although no two Diethylene glycol 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. 

Diethylene glycol, also referred to as DEG, Diglycol, Ethylene Diglycol is an organic compound that’s colorless, odorless, poisonous, and a hygroscopic liquid. It is soluble in water, alcohol, ether, acetone, ethylene glycol and widely used as a solvent. DEG is commonly used in the preparation of antifreeze, brake fluid, cigarettes, and some dyes.

In the United States, diethylene glycol is a “tight-fill” (closed-loop) loading operation and is loaded into rail cars via 3” carbon steel loading arms, or chemical hoses. Diethylene glycol, if not handled properly can cause serious injuries; therefore, 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.

Diethylene glycol is typically shipped in 26,000 gallon DOT-111 insulated or uninsulated tank cars with safety valves.  The rails cars themselves are ~ 9′ outside diameter with an overall length of ~45’ to 55′, with a 6’ x 6’ center opening or off-set crash box openings.

Tank truck (un)loading procedures are similar to railcar applications with the trailers meeting established DOT requirements for transporting diethylene glycol or other similar commodities.  Approved DOT trailers include MC 307 or low pressure chemical road trucks.  Trailers are typically bottom unloaded. An extension pipe with two valves is flanged to the top of the trailer. 

All trailers must be equipped with pressure relief valves; and trailers with bottom outlets must be equipped with remote controlled stop valves.