News & Press Releases

The lifespan of valves that are used to control and contain bulk materials transported via railcar – whether liquid, gas or solid – is finite. As mechanical instruments, it is inevitable that one day they will begin to break down or outright fail, which will prevent them from adequately and reliably doing the job for which they have been tasked.

There are a number of ways that chlorine carriers can find themselves out of compliance, often through no fault of their own. To aid in the never-ending battle to stay compliant, many railcar component developers and suppliers like Midland have made a commitment to designing Advanced Chlorine Railcar Assembly equipment that addresses all of the FRA, PHMSA and DHS compliance needs of chlorine carriers.

Compromised connections can lead to product leaks which are often the most obvious problems perceived. These are not only dangerous for site personnel but can lead – in the worst-case scenario – to the accumulation of prohibitive cleanup and remediation costs.

Building a retail fueling location with an underground system of storage tanks, piping and dispensing equipment cannot be an “out of sight, out of mind” proposition for the operator. The smallest leaks in an underground fueling system can lead to large problems for drivers, site personnel, the environment and the site operator, who can be subject to exorbitant repair, replacement, cleanup and remediation costs, with actual site shutdown a worst-case scenario.

Completely overhauling or replacing your railcar valves every few years can be a time-consuming and expensive process. This has led many railcar valve manufacturers to begin offering remanufacturing and repair programs in which customers can send valves that have been in the field back to the manufacturer for testing, inspection and cleaning.

No two fingerprints are alike, at least not in every detail. That same thing can be said for chemical loading and unloading applications. For this reason, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to outfitting loading bays for chemical plants, refineries and terminals.

Because different types and grades of motor fuels can react differently with the various metals, rubbers and elastomers that are used in their construction, it is imperative that fuel retailers outfit their dispensing systems with nozzles that are third-party approved for the requirements of the fuel that is being dispensed.

Individually identifying and selecting the best underground storage tank (UST) equipment, piping and containment systems and dispensing equipment – which all must work in complete harmony to ensure a safe and reliable fueling system – is a daunting task and one that today’s time-strapped fuel site operators are often incapable of tackling by themselves.

Realizing the pressure that fuel-site operators are under to not only optimize business performance, but also stay true to the strict set of rules that govern the operation of their sites, the manufacturers of fuel-dispensing and storage systems and equipment have made great strides in developing components that meet specific regulatory demands.

Dangerous chemicals not only have the ability to potentially harm the health of humans and the environment if mishandled, but they are also very expensive to produce. Therefore, achieving safe operation, product containment and cost-effectiveness is of utmost importance.

While there are several ways to transport crude oil from the wellheads to refineries and storage facilities, oil producers are increasingly turning to the trucking industry to safely and reliably get the job done.

Much like an orchestra, “harmony” is the key to a successful retail fueling system, from the hoses on the dispensers to the valves on the underground storage tanks (UST). Achieving this harmony requires that the fuel site operator select and deploy equipment that is fully integrated.

When it comes to car wash equipment, smart technology can be defined as equipment that provides the operator much more interaction, control and precision than standard equipment, both on-site and remotely through the use of the internet.

While awareness of the splintering demand for straight gasoline, diesel and alternative fuels has grown, it is important to note that specific ethanol and biodiesel formulations (E10, E15 and E85, along with B10, B20 and B100) can all have differing handling requirements and effects on component performance and life cycle.

Railroad freight shipments are on track to surpass 24 billion in 2040. That is a 35% increase from 17.8 billion in 2017. Historically high levels of oil and natural gas production are driving this trend, raising the amount of hazardous materials being transported by rail. When combined with chlorine, anhydrous ammonia, ethylene oxide and sulfur dioxide, there are over 3.1 billion tons of hazardous materials transported via rail each year.

In 2019, OPW employees around the world found ways to give back and help protect people and the environment. Below are a few highlights from our sites in China, Wisconsin, Ohio, India and the UK.

As part of its prize package, the 2019 OPW Imagine | What's Next winning team selected one non-profit to receive a charitable contribution. The winning team members chose Shared Harvest Foodbank to receive its $2,500 OPW donation. The Dover Foundation will then match OPW's gift for a grand total of $5,000 to support the organization.

In today’s competitive vehicle wash environment where drivers have more choices than ever before, success is not guaranteed by simply building a wash in a great location. For vehicle wash owners, a marketing plan must drive customers to the site.

Much of the chlorine that is produced in the U.S. is transported from production facility to end user via railroads. This, combined with the fact that chlorine is a hazardous material, makes it imperative that it is handled and shipped safely via rail tank cars that have been specifically designed for chlorine transport.

Without swivel joints, a number of industries might grind to a halt. For the chemical, petroleum, petrochemical, refining, mining, distilling, brewing, ink and paint markets, swivels are a vital piece in the success of process machinery. Plants are able to transfer fluids and dry bulk materials more securely and efficiently because of the versatility of these components.