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Home / Industries / Bulk Chemical Loading / Polypropylene Handling Design, Loading, and Installation.Polypropylene (PP) Handling Design, Loading, and Installation.
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic “additional polymer” made from the combination of propylene monomers. It is used in a variety of applications to include packaging for
consumer products, plastic parts for various industries including the automotive and medical industries.
In the United States, Polypropylene, in either powder, flake or pellet form, is typically shipped via hopper cars or dry bulk cargo tankers. A typical hopper car carries 185,000 pounds (84,000kg) of PP, and a hopper truck transports 45,000 pounds (20,000Kg) on average.
Both hopper cars and dry bulk trailers are top-loaded via loading spouts or large diameter flexible hoses. Bottom unloading is achieved by introducing pneumatic air, and transferred via flexible metal hoses.
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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.Polypropylene Loading
PP is typically loaded into hopper cars via flexible metal hoses or spouts. Hammer unions, quick-acting couplings, and breakaway safety couplings can all be incorporated into the design.
Most hopper car transfer systems incorporate a vacuum pump that will create a vacuum that pulls the resin out of the hopper car and into a silo or in-plant transfer system.
Hopper trucks use a built-in system of rotary vane compressor (or blower) that pushes resin out and into the in-plant transfer system. Optimum air velocity is 4,500 feet per minute (fpm)
Venting when unloading to prevent a vacuum. Polypropylene Truck Transfer – Flexible metal hose used to transfer product Polypropylene Gangways
A wider access gangway (36″-48″ 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
Polypropylene 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
Polypropylene 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 Polypropylene Grounding
Polypropylene is highly flammable, and 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
Polypropylene 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
Polypropylene 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 Polypropylene*; 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. * For illustrative purposes only. Our experts will work with you and your team for a custom solution to suit your needs Polypropylene 101
Things to know about Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) – Product Overview:
PP is not considered hazardous and has a DOT identification number of UN 1077.
Approximately 90% of the plastic resins produced in North America leave the producing plants in covered hopper cars. Many of these railroad cars travel directly to customers who remove the plastic resins from the hopper cars and process the resins into final products.
The remainder of the hopper cars go to transfer stations where material is removed from the hopper cars to bulk trucks or to packaging lines where the resin is placed in bags or bulk cartons.
Discovered in the mid-1950’s polypropylene unique chemical makeup makes it very versatile.
- It has a high melting point making it ideal for microwave containers.
- It doesn’t react with water, detergents, acids, or bases, so it doesn’t break down easy
- It’s resistant to cracking and stress, even when flexed so it’s ideal for hinges.
- Tensile strength of approximately 4,800 psi.
Polypropylene is also recyclable. Like other thermoplastics, polypropylene can be melted and reformed into plastic pellets that are then used to make new products.
Polypropylene is easily flammable, and at temperatures above 100 degrees C PP dissolves in aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene and toluene. As a slow-burning plastic, PP emits a dense black smoke when ignited. First responders should wear self-contained breathing equipment and protective clothing.
Melting point: 266 to 340F or 130 to 171 C.
Polypropylene (PP) – Product Overview:
Discovered in the mid-1950s, polypropylene is a thermoplastic made from the combination of propylene monomers. It is used in a variety of applications, including packaging for consumer products and plastic parts for the automotive and medical industries.
The unique chemical makeup of polypropylene makes it very versatile. It has a high melting point making it ideal for microwave containers. Since it doesn’t react with water, detergents, acids, or bases, it doesn’t break down easily. Polypropylene is suitable for hinges because it is resistant to cracking and stress, even when flexed and has a tensile strength of approximately 4,800 psi.
Like other thermoplastics, polypropylene can be recycled by melting and reforming into plastic pellets and then used to make new products. Polypropylene has a melting point of 266F to 340F (130C to 171C).
Polypropylene, along with other plastic resins in powder, flake, or pellet form, is typically shipped via dry bulk trucks or hopper rail cars. Approximately 90% of plastic resins in North America leave the producing plants in covered hopper cars. A vast majority of these railroad cars travel directly to customer facilities where the plastic resins are removed from the hopper cars and processed into final products. The remainder goes to transfer stations where it is removed from the railcars and loaded into bulk trucks or packaging lines and placed in bags or bulk cartons.
Pneumatic transfer systems move products through the creation of either positive or negative atmospheric conditions and are vital to the plastic resin industry. Negative atmospheric pressure systems, or vacuum systems, create a negative pressure differential causing the flow of plastic resins from the high-pressure to the low-pressure areas. In positive atmospheric pressure systems, plastic resins are moved from one point to another by applying a higher pressure at the starting point of the transfer. The resins then flow to the desired endpoint. A Pull/Push (or Push/Pull) system combines both vacuum and pressure sections.
Customer Reviews
4 5Compared to other products, it offers a safer working area and is easier to install.I had product within a couple days of ordering. Compared to other products on the market and what we have used, it offers a safer working area, and is easier to install. Stronger-Safer guard for top of tank car openings, and being brightly colored we have not accidentally sent one off site by forgetting to remove from the top of a tank car.
By Steve Novak from Dow Corning on 9/19/135 5Our expectations were met, response was timely and complete.Simple, straightforward designs. While we have not installed equipment yet, the overall quality of fabrication appears to be good. There are innovations in the details that will enhance the overall simplicity of it. We did have a small snafu regarding deliver/shipment dates and times. Might be able to improve communications with customer so we can coordinate unloading more efficiently.By Perry Everett from Shell Chemical LP on 10/6/164 5I would recommend it to anyone looking for a safety gate.No negatives, all positive. Sales personnel was accurate, knowledgable and to the point. The product worked great and the price was reasonable. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a safety gate. It was installed by our own staff, easily and quickly, without any mishaps. We have a stringent safety program at our large company, with many locations, and I will recommend the use of this product where needed.
By Steve Perry from Old Castle Retail on 9/19/134 5I would recommend the product.Stephen Todd responded to voice messages within 24 hours. I would recommend the product. The platform and gangway serve the intended purpose of providing safe access atop delivery tankers for unloading connection. The unloading platform is built narrowly to prevent drive alley encroachment. The aluminum gangway and galvanized platform will resist corrosion for a long life.
By Andy Shumaker from American Water Heater Company on 10/4/115 5SafeRack has always come through for us.I have counted on SafeRack several times to expedite shipment of these when we needed one. Very responsive and helpful, keeping me informed all the way through the order and through shipment of the product.
They have always come through for us. The SafeRack is the piece of equipment we want and like in our plant. It makes the employees think “safety.” It looks good, and they are the best safety device we have to load trailers.
By Brian Newton from Cabot Corporation (2153) on 11/14/135 5Our alcohol shipping department was so impressed during the commissioning…Our alcohol shipping department was so impressed during the commissioning of our new product loadout they are requesting 3 more loading racks for our railcar access.
By Kirt Hufstedler from MGP Ingredients, Inc. on 5/22/19Is 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.
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.
Experts In Chemical Loading
Ammonia
- Aniline
- Benzene
- Butadiene
- Caustic
- Chlorine
- DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
- Ethylene
- UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate)
- Hydrochloric Acid
- MDI
- Methanol
- Molten Sulphur
- Oleum
- Phenol
- Polypropylene
- Renewable Diesel
- Sodium Hypochlorite
- Sulfuric Acid
- Sulfuric Dioxide
- Titanium Tetrachloride
- Toluene
- UREA
- Vinyl Chloride
- Xylene
- Agro-Chemical
- Specialty Chemical
- Petrochemical
North America’s largest loading terminal
World-leading designer, manufacturer, and installer of truck and railcar loading platforms
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.


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