Best Way to Transport Bulk Liquids

The logistics involved in liquid product delivery needs adherence to superior standards of handling protocol to make sure they arrive in their best condition. The specialized sector requires properly insulated and lined tankers that have undergone proper cleaning and come equipped with suitable temperature controls. So how does bulk liquid transportation work? Here's how.

Bulk Liquid

Bulk liquids describe huge liquid volumes that undergo transportation without packaging them into individual containers. You pump these liquids directly into a specialized truck.

These kinds of liquids frequently work in food processing and manufacturing. Some examples of bulk liquids that commonly undergo bulk liquid transportation include vegetable oil, essential oils, and syrup.

How Bulk Liquid Transportation Works

Bulk liquid transport simply describes the procedure of transporting bulk liquids over a long distance. Since you won't pack bulk liquid into another container before loading it into a truck, you must ensure that there are no leaks on the trailer before you put the liquid inside.

Beware that even a slight leak could lead to a considerable fluid loss over time. By the time the truck arrives at the destination, you might have lost a greater portion of the shipment. Before pumping the actual product into a freight truck, the trailer undergoes a thorough examination for any cracks, dents, or other damages that could yield leaks.

If you notice an area of concern, you can fill the entire tank with water for leak testing. A leaky tank isn't just costly and inconvenient; it's illegal. Based on what you're hauling, a spill could cause structural or environmental damage. Therefore, if you're providing bulk liquid solutions, you must ensure your carrier has conducted a recent tank inspection.

Remember, liquids have a higher likelihood of spilling, making transportation harder than non-liquids. The bulk liquid transportation process involves the following:

Inspections

This occurs before pumping liquids into tanker trucks. Any dents or cracks could cause possible leakage throughout travel. Any dirt or damage inside the tank barrel could cause product loss or contamination, which could ruin the image of transportation companies while providing bulk liquid solutions.

Pressurization of the Tank Truck

This ensures the tanker is durable and safe enough to tolerate the chemical loading procedure. Pressurization is necessary because transportation could take one day or more and the road conditions might be unpredictable.

Liquid Pumping

After making sure the tanker is durable, you'll pump the liquid. Loading sites use air compressors or onboard pumps to load tanker trucks and this loading process could take between 1 and 4 hours to complete.

It's worth noting that drivers should be careful when handling liquids because an abrupt turn could cause liquid sloshing, which could alter the direction of the entire container, causing fatal rollovers. In turn, this places the driver and everybody on the road in danger.

Equipment Used in Transporting Bulk Liquids

Tank Container

This vessel stores the liquid during transit. Various tank containers can work for bulk liquid transportation and tanks can feature one or more sections for transporting various grades of liquid goods in the same shipment. Tanks might also differ in their unloading and loading points, usually in the rear, on top, or beneath the tank.

Tank Chassis

This equipment frame performs the role of transporting tank containers. The major features that make it the ideal carrier for containers include a lower frame, which provides the equipment with a lower gravity to enhance stability. Furthermore, it comprises the latches, axle configuration, and frame, which provide tank container security.

Ways to Transport Bulk Liquids

Flexitanks

These storage tanks offer the easiest means of providing bulk liquid solutions. Although various kinds function in transshipment based on shipment and cargo requirements, flexitank containers remain a popular option for the shipment of bulk non-hazardous liquid products. The collapsible bags fit into a 20 ft container and can accommodate up to 24,000 liters of liquid cargo.

On average, most flexitanks provide a capacity between 10,000 and 24,000 liters. Nonetheless, others undergo customization per shipment prerequisites, ranging from 1,000 liters to 100,000 liters. Ensure you don't overload these bags because of possible destruction. It's equally worth noting that unloading them could yield leaks.

ISO Tank

These standard containers comprise a stainless steel-made exterior with an interior layer comprising protective materials. These materials are responsible for protecting stainless steel against damage and corrosion during bulk liquid transport.

These tanks can handle non-hazardous and hazardous liquids. They offer numerous benefits due to their versatility and can accommodate up to 11,000 gallons of liquid and the lowest capacity is 5,000 gallons.

IBC Containers

These reusable containers are considerably smaller than ISO tanks. They're industrial-grade, which implies that they can tolerate and accommodate plenty of liquids, which can be non-hazardous or hazardous. They're intermediate since their capacity is halfway between an ISO tank and drum. IBCs can accommodate between 200 and 1,250 liters and are easy to transfer and use.

Barrels and Drums

These containers are available in various kinds, including plastic and steel. Each kind needs lining with a unique coating to ensure the safety of any transported product. Additionally, they can store numerous hazardous materials as long as they're certified. Drums can accommodate at least 20 liters with a limit of 250 liters due to their size. Their drawback is the high potential for mishandling due to their comparatively small size.

If you're looking to offer bulk liquid transport services, you should hire a reliable transportation company that will offer premium services. This means you should be ready to do thorough research before making a decision.