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Turpentine (C10H16) Handling Design, Loading, and Installation.

Although no two Turpentine 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.

Turpentine is an important by-product recovered from the kraft pulping of resinous woods in paper mills.

Turpentine is a yellow-colored, sticky liquid that is harvested from pine trees; it can turn into vapor very easily, and it can catch fire. Oil of turpentine is a colorless liquid with a very strong smell. Other names for turpentine include gum spirits, wood turpentine, gum turpentine spirits of turpentine.

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In the United States, Turpentine 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. Turpentine, 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.

Turpentine 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 oleum 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.

Tank truck (un)loading procedures are similar to railcar applications with the trailers meeting established DOT requirements for transporting Turpentine or other like 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 Turpentine 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* Email 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.
Turpentine Loading Arms
	Turpentine is typically loaded into railcars or tank trucks via boom supported carbon steel 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 carbon or stainless steel self-draining loading arm with Nitrile, PTFE or Viton 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 FLAT RAMP ACCESS (FRT) GANGWAY SafeRack’s NEW GX-FRT is a flat ramp model popular with railcars. It features a slip-resistant walk surface and, with the use of the telescoping extension, eliminates gaps on narrow railcars. Learn More
Turpentine 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.
Turpentine 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
Turpentine Grounding
	Turpentine is a flammable liquid and vapor. Industry best practice includes the grounding of all vessels before starting the (un)loading process. Ground controllers — 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
Turpentine 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
Turpentine 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 turpentine; 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

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Turpentine 101

Things to know about Turpentine

Turpentine is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and is classified as a flammable material with the DOT identification number UN 1299.

In the past, turpentine was primarily used as a paint and varnish thinner. It was also used in printing, hair products and medicines. It is still used in some paints and coatings today. However, less costly products have replaced the use of turpentine in paints. Now the major use of turpentine is a raw material for the chemical industry.

Turpentine is separated from wood chips after they have been “cooked” in the kraft paper-making process. It is then further separated or refined using fractional distillation.

The US Pulp industry recovers about 30 million gallons of turpentine annually. It is obtained through the distillation of resin that is harvested mainly from pine trees. It is a solvent. It is used for thinning oil-based paints, in producing varnishes, and is a raw material used to synthesize resins, insecticides, oil additives, pine oil used in perfumes for soaps and cosmetics, and camphor in the chemical industry. Turpentine is also used as a rubber solvent in the manufacture of plastics.

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

As an organic solvent, its vapor can irritate the skin and eyes, damage the lungs and respiratory system, as well as the central nervous system when inhaled. Because turpentine can cause spasms of the airways particularly in people with asthma and whooping cough, it can contribute to a worsening of breathing issues in persons with these diseases.

Ingestion can cause burning sensations, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, convulsions, diarrhea, renal system damage, and unconsciousness.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the legal limit (permissible exposure limit) for turpentine exposure in the workplace as 100 ppm (560 mg/m3) over an 8-hour workday. The same threshold was adopted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as the recommended exposure limit (REL). At levels of 8000 ppm (4,448 mg/m3), turpentine is immediately dangerous to life and health.

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.

Turpentine is volatile, and very flammable (flash point 35.0o C), therefore great precautions must be taken to reduce the risk of fire and explosion. Explosion-proof (Class I Div II) electric components must be used in the loading/unloading areas along with grounding equipment to help eliminate static electricity.

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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World-leading designer, manufacturer, and installer of truck and railcar loading platforms

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