Although no two Ethanol 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.

Ethanol, also referred to as ethyl alcohol, or grain alcohol is a clear colorless liquid and it’s a principal ingredient in alcoholic beverages. In the United States ethanol is primarily produced from the fermentation of starch in corn grain. In the fuel industry, bio-refineries use state-of-the-art technologies to convert grains, food wastes, cellulosic biomass and other feedstocks into high-octane ethanol.

Ethanol is typically shipped in 26,000 to 30,000 gallon DOT-111 insulated or non-insulated tank cars with safety valves. However, the newly mandated 2015 FAST Act ruling requires that all tank cars moving flammable liquids must be retrofitted to meet the new DOT-177J and 177R tank car specifications. The ruling also establishes a timeline of May 1st, 2023 to phase-out tank cars that don’t meet the new specification.