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Methyl Ethyl Ketone (C4H8O) Handling Design, Loading, and Installation.

Although no two Methyl Ethyl Ketone 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.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone, also referred to as 2-Butanone, MEK, or Methyl acetone is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sharp odor. It is harmful to the eyes, skin, and lungs if inhaled or swallowed. MEK is a highly efficient and versatile solvent used in surface coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and chemical intermediates.

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In the United States, MEK is a “tight-fill” (closed-loop) loading operation and is loaded into rail cars via chemical hoses or 3” carbon or stainless steel loading arms. MEK, 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.

MEK is typically shipped in 26,000 gallon DOT-111 insulated or non-insulated tank cars with safety valves. 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.

Tank truck (un)loading procedures are similar to railcar applications with the trailers meeting established DOT requirements for transporting MEK or other commodities. Approved DOT trailers include MC 307 or low pressure chemical ISO containers. Trailers and ISO’s 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.

Typical Methyl Ethyl Ketone Loading Platform Quote or discuss your installation. Start by selecting loading application What vehicles are you loading? Top or Bottom Loading/Unloading? Top Bottom How many loading spots? Your information Name* * Phone* Email* Preferred contact method* Phone Email Company Industry* Zip/Postal Code* Country Message* Do you have project or reference files? Receive Email Updates Product Brochures Download PDF Please mail a brochure What product: ErectaStep SafeRack Address* Address 2 City* State/Province/Region* Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Download Sample Project Files Below are some of the loading and unloading solutions for illustrative purposes only. Our experts will work with you and your team for a custom solution to suit your needs.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Loading Arms
	MEK is typically loaded into railcars or tank trucks via either boom supported carbon or, stainless steel loading arms or chemical hoses with a flange connection. The arm or hose will have a top inlet with a control valve to ensure that it is self-draining after use and is supported along the length of a mechanical loading arm to improve handling; this is known as a by-pass arm. You can install one liquid and one vapor arm, or mount both the liquid and vapor hoses on one by-pass arm. For unloading, typically you would use a rigid stainless steel self-draining loading arm with EPDM or PTFE seals. Purge lines can be fitted to the arm, for nitrogen purging. Additional features such as parking latches with proximity sensors can be incorporated into the total system to ensure the arm is correctly stowed when not in use, before any rail movement can occur.
Loading Gangways and Safety Cages
	A wider access gangway (48″-60″ is preferable) as it helps improve access and egress to and from the vessel. In addition, a wider gangway will reduce the risk of the operator’s PPE getting caught, torn or damaged, and will improve productivity and safety. Powered gangway solutions are also an option, with both hydraulic and pneumatic solutions being commonly used. Each gangway will be fitted with a two-rail safety cage for the railcar crash box. This will be a centered 6’x6’ safety cage to sit directly over the cashbox. This will provide a safe, secure work environment for your operator when connected to their breathing apparatus. GX SELF-ADJUSTING STAIR (SAS) GANGWAY SafeRack’s NEW GX SAS gangways use Retractalok power-assist technology allowing operators to raise or lower effortlessly, light as a feather to lift, solid as a rock. Tested in the most critical applications, this revolutionary new gangway outperforms all others. Available in multiple lengths and widths. Learn More
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Eye Wash/Drench Showers
	ANSI guidelines state that an Eye Wash/Drench Showers need to be located 10 seconds or 55’ (16.8m) from contaminants or hazardous materials. Eyewash stations need to be on the same horizontal plane with no obstructions. Therefore, we would propose the installation of a standard combination Drench Shower/Eyewash Unit, which will save limited space and fit easily into any work environment.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Spill Containment
	Spill containment pans will be provided at the point of loading operations and is an essential piece of equipment in overall site safety and environmental protection. Railcar spill containment and track pans
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Grounding
	MEK is a flammable liquid. Do not handle or store near open flame, heat, or other sources of ignition. Industry best practice includes the grounding of all vessels before starting the (un)loading process. Vehicle grounding and bonding — ensure true grounding before product flow is permitted Explosion-proof enclosures — meet or exceed UL, CSA, and Ex requirements Non-sparking tools are also recommended while working around this product
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Safety Gates
	Safety Gates will be installed at the top of stairs and any other openings to ensure operator safety at all times. YellowGate Safety Gates SafeRack’s line of industrial safety gates is the most flexible product on the market with the ability span openings between 16” and 36” and is field adjustable with nothing more than a wrench. Learn More
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Options
	Lighting – Lighting both over and under the platform will be provided. For overcast days or second shift, lighting is essential for improved safety and improved productivity. Platform & Canopies – Full platform canopies reduce exposure to the elements and improve the safe and productive loading operation from the operator’s perspective. Operator Shelter – Depending on your site requirements, consideration should be given to the requirement of an operator or guard building on the loading platform. This can be customized to meet specific site requirements Wheel Chocks – Railcar Wheel Chocks provide fast blocking of all types of railcars and meet OSHA regulations to safely prevent railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading operations. This is a requirement by the Department of Homeland Security
Personal Protective Equipment PPE Requirements
Eye/Face Protection: Wear chemical safety goggles. A face shield (with safety goggles) may also be necessary. Skin Protection: Wear chemical protective clothing e.g. gloves, aprons, boots. Coveralls or long sleeve shirts and pants in some operations. Wear a chemical protective, full-body encapsulating suit, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Suitable materials include: butyl rubber, neoprene rubber, Viton®, Viton®/butyl rubber, Barrier® – PE/PA/PE, Silver Shield® – PE/EVAL/PE, Trellchem® HPS, Trellchem® VPS, Saranex®™, Tychem® BR/LV, Tychem® Responder® CSM, Tychem® TK. The following materials should NOT be used: natural rubber, polyvinyl chloride. Recommendations are NOT valid for very thin neoprene rubber gloves (0.3 mm or less). Respiratory Protection: Up to 5 ppm: (APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against chlorine; or Any supplied-air respirator. *Reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection. APF = Assigned Protection Factor Recommendations apply only to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators. Refer to the NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards for more information.
Use a local exhaust ventilation and enclosure, if necessary, to control the amount in the air. Consider using a corrosion-resistant exhaust ventilation system separate from other ventilation systems. It may be necessary to use stringent control measures such as process enclosure to prevent product release into the workplace. Use backup controls (e.g. double mechanical pump seals) to prevent the release of this material due to equipment failure.

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MAJOR METHYL ETHYL KETONE PRODUCERS WHERE WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED METHYL ETHYL KETONE LOADING PROJECTS

Methyl Ethyl Ketone 101

Things to know about Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and is classified as a corrosive hazardous material with the DOT identification number UN 1193.

MEK offers strong solvency with fast evaporation properties. Applications include – acrylic coating solvents, cleaning fluids, ink & paint solvent, and vinyl lacquers.

MEK is a stronger cleaning agent than Acetone because it has a slower evaporation rate and boils at a higher temperature. On the other hand, Acetone is a better solvent than MEK because it dissolves a wider range of compounds.

Only properly trained and equipped personnel should be permitted to (un)load MEK tank cars and tank trucks. Operators should wear approved PPE equipment including impervious clothing, footwear, gloves, and goggles.

MEK is a flammable liquid. Vapors are heavier than air and may accumulate in low lying areas, and travel along the ground to be ignited at a distant location.

Do not breathe dust/fumes/mist/vapors as they can be fatal if inhaled. Use only outdoors, or in a well ventilated area. First aid measures for exposure include – removing operators from the source of exposure and into fresh air. Remove contaminated clothing immediately; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water; flush eyes with tepid water for 15 minutes. If ingested do not induce vomiting, but immediately call your local poison control center. Aspiration into the lungs can cause fatal chemical pneumonitis. If ingestion has occurred, assume there is a risk of aspiration into the lungs.

MEK is a non-corrosive liquid/solvent and compatible with most metals including aluminum, bronze, brass, carbon, and stainless steel.

Is your plant or facility compliant with ANSI, OSHA, and local safety codes? We can help!

EMERGENCY EYEWASHES / SHOWER EQUIPMENT AND THE ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 – 2014 STANDARD

Following eye contact, you must start washing with water immediately to prevent permanent damage. In the event of skin contact, you must start washing with water immediately to prevent slow-healing chemical burns.

Are you aware that ANSI guidelines state that Eye Wash/Drench Showers need to be located 10 seconds or 55′ from contaminates or hazardous materials and located on the same horizontal plane, with no obstructions? If bottom loading/unloading, an additional shower should be located at grade as well. SafeRack provides the above equipment plus much more needed to keep employees safe and expedite bulk chemical loading and unloading.

OSHA Regulation Experts – Does your existing chemical safety equipment or chemical loading systems meet OSHA’s latest requirements? SafeRack’s professional technical sales consultants are available to meet with your team to make recommendations to keep your facility in front of OSHA’s ever-changing country and region-specific standards and regulations, including lifeline and trolley beam fall arrest systems, metal stairs, and access platforms.

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Why SafeRack?

The SafeRack approach is a collaborative one. Let’s call it The SafeRack Way. We have, over many years amassed a great deal of experience and understanding of the safety aspects involved in loading road tankers and railcars, as well as the behavioral habits of the operators.

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As one of the primary railcar loading points, Hardisty is one of the major crude oil hubs in North America and a major origination point of pipelines that export to the United States. SCS was asked to supply and construct a SafeRack crude oil loadout terminal spanning nearly half a mile. The USD Hardisty terminal can load up to two 120-railcar unit trains per day and consists of a fixed loading rack with 62 railcar loading positions enclosed, separate control, operator and mechanical buildings, as well as a unit train staging area and loop tracks capable of holding multiple unit trains simultaneously. SCS also supplied and installed boom-supported loading arms with supply and vapor management systems.