Those with experience, please share your insights on the loading and unloading processes for light hydrocarbons such as C4 and C5.
Thread Content
Please share some practical process flows and loading/unloading methods for light hydrocarbons at present.
Currently, the more common approach is to use pump-fed trucks, with the liquid being loaded at the bottom and the vapor returning to the storage tank; for pentane, it is usually sent to a flare tower!
I recently visited a fuel depot, and the unloading of C5 was carried out in exactly the same way as gasoline – by using hoses connected to the tanker’s outlet and pumps to draw the liquid out. Clip on an electrostatic grounding clip. Isn’t it a bit dangerous to do this? Those with experience, please give some advice. :)
For one of our projects, the unloading of Solvent No. 4 (a mixture primarily composed of butane and propane) is carried out in a closed manner. During the unloading process, the liquid phase pipe of the solvent transport truck is connected to the liquid phase pipe of the Solvent No. 4 storage tank, while the gas phase pipe of the truck is connected to the gas phase pipe of the storage tank; a compressor is used to transfer Solvent No. 4 into the storage tank for storage.
C4 and C5 are generally transported in gas tankers, using the same process as for liquefied gas
I’ve seen this too; it’s very unsafe. But that’s exactly what is done in some old oil depots. It’s not allowed for safety reasons these days, but some old storage areas still do it.
I have a question for everyone: Do you know of any new reference books or manuals available recently on the loading of light hydrocarbons? These materials should cover topics such as loading and unloading processes by rail and road, an introduction to loading and unloading equipment, as well as information on train and truck tankers. If anyone is aware of such resources, please advise me. Thank you! !
It is indeed very dangerous; are there any relevant regulatory requirements? ?