About Tank Container

Tank container, also known as liquid cargo container or liquid bulk container.

Basic Conception of of Tank Containers

Tank containers refer to containers specially used for shipping various liquid goods, such as liquid chemicals, liquid food, various petroleum products and alcoholic goods. This kind of container is mainly composed of two parts: liquid tank and cabinet frame. Among them, the tank is the main body of the shipment, and its shape is round, oval and approximately spherical. The frame is usually made of steel or high-strength steel, and the size and shape of the frame are equivalent to that of a general container. The liquid tank is installed in the middle of the frame, so it is also called a liquid tank container.

The tank inner tank is mostly made of 316 stainless steel. Most tanks have steam or electric heating devices, inert gas protection devices, decompression devices and other optional equipment required for fluid transportation and handling.

Features of Tank Containers

There are three main ways of shipping liquids: tank trucks, bulk ships and tank containers.

(1) Features of tank truck shipment

①The transportation is flexible, but the tanker is expensive, the operation and maintenance costs are high, and the economy is poor.

② It is difficult to load and unload in a fully sealed state, which is more likely to cause safety accidents.

③The transportation radius is small and the loading capacity is not large.

④ A modern mode of transport that cannot realize the integration of multimodal transport.

⑤It can only be shipped in short distances in the country, and there is nothing that can be done for product export.

(2) Features of bulk shipping

① Bulk carriers are expensive, high in operation and maintenance costs, and poor in economy.

②The loading capacity is large, but "door-to-door" transportation cannot be realized, and liquid cargo can only be loaded and unloaded at the wharf, and special loading and unloading equipment must be equipped.

③ It is difficult to load and unload in a fully sealed state, which is more likely to cause safety accidents.

④ It does not adapt to the current development trend of multi-variety and small-batch liquid goods.

⑤ A modern mode of transport that cannot realize the integration of multimodal transport.

(3) Features of tank containers

①Large loading capacity and moderate cost, long-term use can greatly reduce shipping costs, and the economy is excellent.

②The transportation is flexible and can realize "door-to-door" transportation.

③ It can be used not only as a shipping tool, but also as a temporary storage tank for liquid materials.

④ It can be loaded and unloaded in a fully sealed state, which is safe and reliable.

⑤ To adapt to the current development trend of liquid goods with multiple varieties and small batches.

⑥ A modern mode of transport that can realize the integration of multimodal transport.

The Structure of the Tank Container

Tank containers are suitable for the transportation of various liquids (including dangerous goods that are flammable, explosive, toxic, and highly corrosive), liquefied gases, and powdery goods. It can realize intermodal transportation between them, reflecting "door-to-door" transportation, and is a new standard tool for containerized transportation.

According to its own weight and load, it is divided into 1T, 3T, 5T, 8T, 10T, 20T (20ft), and 30T standard weight container tanks.

According to the tank volume, it is divided into 1m3, 5m3, 8m3, 10m3, 20m3, 30m3 standard volume container tanks.

According to the structure of the tank, it is divided into standard type, semi-insulated type, internal heating tube type, fire tube type, rubber-lined, plastic, aluminum film-lined container tanks with different structures.

According to the loading and unloading method, it is divided into top loading and unloading type, top loading and unloading type, and bottom loading and unloading type container tank.

According to the material, it is divided into ordinary carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum, alloy aluminum, and glass fiber reinforced plastic container.

According to the tank form, it is divided into vertical, horizontal, multi-tank and spherical container tanks.

According to the way of walking, it is divided into wheeled type and ordinary container tank.

① The external dimensions and frame structure of the container tank fully comply with the requirements of international and domestic relevant standards, and are in common with the spreaders of ordinary containers, which can realize "door-to-door" transportation and reduce the accidents caused by the need to reverse the cargo in intermodal transportation. Loss, pollution and danger, but also reduce the expenditure of occupation fees and measurement disputes, thus saving expenses and reducing transportation costs.

② Container tanks integrate the characteristics of containers, railway tank cars, and road tank cars. Its frame structure meets the technical requirements of containers, and the tank body also meets the requirements of railway tank car standards. It can be used not only as a container, but also as a tanker, which increases the applicability of the transportation process.

③The container tank has five functions of transportation, measurement, storage, pressure resistance and packaging. It has both transportation and storage measurement, is easy to use, and has good economic benefits.

④Using container transportation is simpler and more convenient than railway tank cars, automobile tank cars and small package transportation. It has low cost, less loss, light pollution and low risk.

Types of Tank Containers

A tank container (tank container) is composed of a box frame (Framework) and a pressure vessel tank (Tank) that withstands internal pressure. According to the United Nations International Maritime Organization and its Dangerous Goods Regulations (IMO/IMDG), tank containers are divided into the following categories.

①IMO0 type: non-dangerous goods with a flash point exceeding 61°C, non-toxic and non-corrosive goods, goods not included in the embargo list of international enforcement agencies, and some liquid foods.

②IMO1 type: for the shipment of dangerous goods, the maximum allowable working pressure is above 1.75bar (1bar=105Pa).

③IMO2 type: For the shipment of sub-dangerous goods, the maximum allowable working pressure is greater than 1.0bar and less than 1.75bar.

④IMO4 type: road tank truck equipped with type 1 or type 2 tanks.

⑤IMO5 type: used for shipping non-refrigerated liquefied gas or less dangerous room temperature chemicals.

⑥IMO6 type: a road tank vehicle equipped with a type 5 box.

⑦IMO7 type: transport refrigerated liquefied gas or low-temperature liquefied gas and liquid perishable goods that require temperature control, with heat insulation devices.

⑧IM08 type: a road tank truck equipped with a type 7 box.

As an advanced means of transportation, tank containers have the advantages of safety, reliability, flexible transportation, fast and convenient, economical and practical, and green and environmental protection compared with traditional loading and transportation methods. At present, it has been widely used in developed countries such as Europe and the United States, and has achieved statutory mandatory use in many countries.

Cargos Suitable for Tank Containers

(1) Soy sauce, glucose, cooking oil, gravy and other edible liquids;

(2) Beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages;

(3) Chemical liquid cargo and other dangerous liquid cargo.

In particular, it should be pointed out that although chemicals do not fall within the scope of the regulations on the loading of dangerous goods, many chemicals are treated as dangerous goods in terms of fire protection. Therefore, full investigation should be done when loading chemicals. When shipping dangerous goods, the approval of relevant departments must be obtained in advance.