ISO tank containers are intermodal containers used for the transportation of liquids, gases and powders in bulk. They are commonly referred to as “tank containers” and have been given the ISO designation in accordance with the ISO standards to which they must conform.
To the untrained eye, they may look like simple metal tanks, but they are more scientifically constructed and manufactured than first thought.
Specifically, they are stainless steel containers that come in a variety of sizes, but the most common dimensions are 6.05m x 2.4m and 2.55m high (similar to a standard shipping container). For insulation and protection, the steel is encased in a layer of polyurethane and aluminum, all kept within a steel frame.
They can handle payloads of 32,350 kilograms and volumes of 17,500 to 26,000 liters at a pressure of 4 Bar and a maximum temperature of 120°C. They are also available in a wide range of sizes.
It is difficult to know how many ISO containers there are in the world, but it is believed that around 800,000 are in use at any one time.
Although they are unassuming steel containers, they are virtually the unsung heroes of the chemical industry and have grown to become an important part of the logistics industry. This is due to the following reasons:
1. Practicality: ISO tanks are capable of transporting a wide range of raw materials, including bulk liquids, toxic chemicals, catalysts and intermediates. They also prevent the ingress of contaminants, making them suitable for more sensitive chemical products such as food additives and flammable ingredients. This adaptability is a great benefit for industries with different cargo requirements, such as the chemical industry.
2. Safety: ISO tanks comply with strict safety regulations and can be equipped with safety measures such as leak containment systems, emergency venting and pressure relief valves to ensure the safe transportation of dangerous goods and chemicals.
3. Cost-effectiveness: ISO tanks are a cost-effective option because they do not require packaging materials such as chemical drums or barrels. Their simplicity of use also reduces disposal costs, cleaning costs and eliminates package disposal requirements.
4. Environmentally friendly: ISO tanks help promote environmental sustainability with less packaging and easily reusable containers.
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While there are many advantages to using ISO tanks, there are some challenges that need to be addressed in order to safely and efficiently transport industrial chemicals. These include:
1. Container availability.
Demand for ISO tanks can fluctuate widely due to local conditions and global economic influences. During periods of shortage, chemical supplies may be delayed due to lack of containers. Conversely, an oversupply of containers may result in a significant drop in prices.
Effective supply chain management is therefore essential to ensure the smooth flow of chemicals from raw material suppliers to customers.
2. Regulatory compliance.
The transportation of hazardous chemicals and raw materials is governed by a wide range of international and maritime laws, as well as different laws enacted by States. Ensuring compliance with these standards in the country of origin, the country of destination and everywhere in between is complex and time-consuming.
Failure to comply can result in fines for the shipper, delays in shipment until compliance is achieved, and even seizure of the goods.
Using ISO tanks ensures better compliance, but does not cover all possibilities.
3. Maintenance and inspection.
To prevent leakage, corrosion and structural damage, ISO tanks require regular maintenance and inspection. Inadequate maintenance may result in accidents, loss of chemical products, environmental damage, risk of personal injury or health, and economic loss.
It is recommended that raw material suppliers and those responsible for delivering chemicals develop and follow a rigorous maintenance program.
4. Cargo compatibility.
It is important to ensure that the ISO tanks are suitable for the cargo/chemical product being transported, especially toxic or flammable chemicals.
Incompatibility may occur if the tank was previously used to transport a different raw material or chemical. Contamination or chemical reactions where residues from previous deliveries react with the current payload may compromise safety standards. To minimize these hazards, thorough cleaning and certification is necessary
As the world continues to rely on ISO tanks to transport essential goods, addressing these challenges remains critical to ensuring the safety of goods and the environment.
Clearly, there is no easy way to transport industrial chemicals and raw materials. Even when well-known and uniformly accepted means of transportation are used, such as ISO tank containers, problems can arise. However, efficient and safe transportation of industrial chemicals must be maintained if costs are to remain low.
Understanding the use of ISO tank containers is an important part of working in the chemical industry, whether as a supplier of raw materials, a manufacturing end-user or a chemical industry worker. They are a key tool in the industrial chemical supply chain and as such are an important part of the interconnected global economy.