Vinyl acetate loading solutions should be designed with optimal safety and efficiency standards in mind. Worker safety and productivity can work in harmony to ensure positive outcomes for your facility.

What is vinyl acetate?

Vinyl acetate is a clear colorless liquid, with a sweet, sharp odor used to make other chemicals, such as adhesives, paints, and plastics. It’s a highly flammable liquid and vapor and irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

In the United States, vinyl acetate is typically a “tight-fill” (closed-loop) loading operation with the product loaded into rail cars via chemical hoses or 3” stainless steel loading arms. If not handled properly, vinyl acetate can cause serious injuries and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required. Additionally, because operators are on top of the vehicles during the loading process, excellent fall prevention systems are essential to ensure operator safety without compromising throughput. 

Vinyl acetate 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.