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Home / Industries / Bulk Chemical Loading / UANUAN Handling Design, Loading, and Installation.
Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solution (UAN) is a colorless liquid with a slight ammonia odor that is produced by combining urea, nitric acid, and ammonia into a liquid solution. Farmers prefer UAN because it can be applied more uniformly than non-liquid forms of fertilizers.
In the United States, UAN is transported via rail, truck, and barge. It is typically a splash loading operation when loaded into trucks or railcars via loading arms. UAN itself does not pose an inhalation hazard. However, decomposition of UAN may produce nitrogen oxide and ammonia vapor, so operator diligence of vapors must be observed. Vapor recovery, while not required, should be considered while operators are on top of the vehicles during the loading process to further increase the level of safety during the loading/unloading process.
UAN is typically transported in 20,500-gallon tank cars. The rails cars themselves are 9′ outside diameter with an overall length of ~47′, with offset crashbox openings of varying length and widths.
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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.UAN Loading Arms
UAN is not a hazardous product, but it is extremely corrosive to zinc, copper, brass, bronze, and iron. Aluminum and carbon steel are less susceptible, but stainless steel is the widely accepted material of choice for loading systems. Couple the arm with PTFE seals and you have a good combination of corrosion-resistant materials that will hold up to the rigors of UAN loading. UAN is generally not considered an inhalation hazard. Therefore, vapor recovery is not mandated but recommended in facilities in close proximity to populated areas.
Loading Gangways and Safety Cages
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 7’x8’ 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 uses 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
UAN 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.
UAN 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 UAN Grounding
While UAN is not flammable, 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
Safety Gates for UAN Loading
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
UAN 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 liquid resistant clothing e.g. gloves, aprons, boots. Safety glasses or goggles are recommended.
* For illustrative purposes only. Our experts will work with you and your team for a custom solution to suit your needs Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) 101
Things to know about UAN
UAN is a colorless liquid with a slight ammonia odor that is produced by combining urea, nitric acid, and ammonia into a liquid solution. UAN’s nitrogen content typically ranges from 28 to 32 percent. Farmers prefer UAN because it can be applied more uniformly than non-liquid forms of fertilizers. It can also be mixed with herbicides, pesticides, and other nutrients, enabling farmers to reduce costs by spraying once versus multiple applications. It also allows for improved safety versus anhydrous ammonia or dry ammonium nitrate. It’s easy to handle and apply accurately, plus it’s not likely to be stolen for illegal use.
UAN is very corrosive to most metal surfaces. When not properly managed, UAN corrosion can cause serious damage to pumps, pipelines, storage tanks, and access equipment.
UAN is not flammable. Use water to extinguish a fire involving UAN if the water is compatible with the burning material
Customer Reviews
5 5We are very satisfied with our Galvanized Center Track PanWe are very excited to be working with our new Regional Salesmen who has excellent follow up skills, knowledge and a positive commitment to help distribution grow our business through education and aggressive sales and marketing of the SafeRack Product Line.
By Mike Bauer from Peterson Industrial Products Inc. on 3/16/205 5Very fast expedited service.It shipped to my location intact and professional appearance. It has a Very good quality look and is durable with our continued usage. The sales assistant (Samantha) was very helpful and expedited my request at a high professional level of service which I do so much appreciate and do take note of.
By Keith Douglas from Cemex on 1/27/195 5Everyone in the SafeRack group was great to work with.I placed this order as a replacement to our damaged equipment. We already knew the benefits of SafeRack loading platforms. We have had one since 2009. We just needed a couple replacement parts.
By Josh Kermes from Poet Biorefining Glenville on 11/2/164 5I will be a repeat customer.John Edwards was cordial and very responsive to my needs and questions. I would definitely recommend this product due to the helpful sales staff and 3 main reasons: 1. Ease of installation 2. Operability 3. Sound construction. With this purchase all I can say is, I will be a repeat customer.
By Barry Knight from Sid Richardson Carbon Company on 9/19/135 5Quick and easy installation.Very responsive, and they worked with us to have a comfortable price for our company. Very adjustable which will allow me to use in many parts. I am very happy with the experience with the customer service and [am] looking forward to using you again.
By Migdad Mustafa from Maguire Iron, Inc. on 10/10/184 5Everyone wins!Yes for simplicity, expedited delivery, and when we can help our client conform to safety regs, everyone wins! It is always a pleasure working with your staff. I think they deserve a paid weekend trip to Disney! Just sayin!
By Linda Broecke from SPEC (Sarnia) Ltd. on 6/11/13Is 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.
Customer Reviews
5 5The product was shipped very quick. Keep up the good work!Everyone I spoke with at SafeRack was very knowledgeable and helpful!
By P. Coudenys from Sylvite Agri-Services on 3/10/205 5Replacement Spring for GangwayGreat experience, very knowledgeable and quick delivery!
By Dale Bishop from Veolia North America Regeneration Services LLC on 4/17/205 5Our rep solved problems quickly and was a prime example of responsive service.Very Responsive. David Daniel was good and we were a fairly demanding customer during this process. Customer service was good – the first one was damaged in route and SafeRack reacted quickly to get us another one. The gangway was pre-adjusted and ready to go.
By Jake Simon from Ash Grove Cement Company on 11/19/105 5SafeRack is great to work with, we will be placing more orders with SafeRack.SafeRack Sales and Customer Service has been extremely positive and was able to deliver each item we ordered very quickly. I found that, unlike some other product supply companies, SafeRack responded very quickly and efficiently. We are also working with the engineering group on a transloader. The engineering department has been extremely helpful and has been able to provide answers and solutions to all of our questions and concerns. I found that SafeRack is great to work with and we will be placing more orders with SafeRack.
By Brian Hess from Associated Energy Services on 8/6/124 5The entire experience was positive.The entire experience was positive. David Daniel was very responsive. The railcar loading gangway was delivered ahead of schedule – within 2 weeks of the order.
By Chris Champagne from BASF Corporation on 3/30/115 5John was very responsive, and did a wonderful job supporting us throughout the project.I really apppricate John Bast’s help throughout this project. He was the main reason why we purchased the two fall protection platforms from SafeRack. He was very responsive, and did a wonderful job supporting us throughout the project
By Walter Chang from Interplastic Corporation on 4/9/13Why 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
- Acrylonitile
- Aluminum Sulfate
- Ammonia
- Ammonium Nitrate
- Aniline
- Benzene
- Butadiene
- Caustic
- Chlorine
- DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
- Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid
- Ethanol
- Ethyl Chloride
- Ethylene
- Ferrous Chloride
- Hydrochloric Acid
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- MDI
- Methanol
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone
- Molten Sulphur
- Nitric Acid
- Oleum
- Phenol
- Polypropylene
- Renewable Diesel
- Sodium Hypochlorite
- Sulfuric Acid
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Titanium Tetrachloride
- Toluene
- Turpenitne
- UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate)
- 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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