Storage/Loading/Unloading - Transportation
August 1, 2023

Introduction North America         Hazardous Materials         Railcar         Tank Car Specifications Australia         Cargo Ship - Bulk Sulphur

Associated Links Molten Sulphur Sulphuric Acid Shipping Case Study Omni Tank - Light Weight Composite Tank Car

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Introduction

The transportation of chemicals is regulated by government agencies to ensure minimum standards are met for the equipment and procedures used with the ultimate goal of protecting the general public.  Each country or region will have its own set of regulations and rules.

North America

In the United States, the transportation of goods is regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).  Procedures and regulations related to transportation can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Department of Transportation 49 CFR 171 to 179.

Some of the sections of CFR 49 that apply to the transportation and handling of sulphuric acid are:

Hazardous Materials - 49 CFR Ch. I Part 172.101

Commodity

Hazard Class or Division

ID Number

Packing Group

Label Codes

Special Provisions

Packaging

Quantity Limitations

Vessel Stowage

Exceptions

Non Bulk

Bulk

Passenger Aircraft/Rail

Cargo Aircraft

Location

Other

Sulfur

9

NA1350

III

9

30

None

None

240

No Limit

No Limit

A

19, 74

4.1

UN1350

III

4.1

30, T1

None

None

240

No Limit

No Limit

A

19, 74

Sulfur Dioxide

2.3

UN1079

2.3, 8

3, B14

None

304

314, 315

Forbidden

25 kg

D

40

Sulfur, Molten

9

NA2448

III

9

T9, T38

None

213

247

Forbidden

Forbidden

C

61

4.1

UN2448

III

4.1

T9, T38

None

213

247

Forbidden

Forbidden

C

61

Sulfur Trioxide, Inhibited or Stabilized

8

UN1829

I

8, 6.1

2, A7, B9, B14, B32, B49, B74, B77, N34, T38, T43, T45

None

227

244

Forbidden

25 kg

A

40

Sulfur Trioxide, uninhibited

8

NA1829

I

8, 6.1

2, A7, B9, B14, B32, B49, B74, B77, N34, T38, T43, T45

None

227

244

Forbidden

25 kg

C

10, 40

Sulfuric Acid, Fuming, <30wt% SO3

8

UN1831

I

8

A3, A7, B84, N34, T18, T27

None

201

243

Forbidden

2.5 L

C

14, 40

Sulfuric Acid, Fuming, >30wt% SO3

8

UN1831

I

8, 6.1

2, A3, A6, A7, B9, B14, B32, B74, B77, B84, N34, T38, T43, T45

None

227

244

Forbidden

Forbidden

C

14, 40

Sulfuric Acid, Spent

8

UN1832

II

8

A3, A7, B2, B83, B84, N34, T9, T27

None

202

242

Forbidden

30 L

C

14

Sulfuric Acid, >51wt%

8

UN1830

II

8

A3, A7, B3, B83, B84, N34, T9, T27

154

202

242

1 L

30 L

C

14

Sulfuric Acid, <51wt%

8

UN2796

II

8

A3, A7, B2, B15, N6, N34, T9, T27

154

202

242

1 L

30 L

B

-

Notes:

ID Numbers - Numbers preceded by the letters "UN" are associated with proper shipping names considered appropriate for international transportation as well as domestic transportation..  Those preceded by the letters "NA" are associated with proper shipping names not recognized for international transportation, except to and from Canada.

Packing Group - Packing Groups I, II and III indicate the degree of danger presented by the material is either great, medium or minor, respectively.

Label Codes - Codes represent the hazard warning labels required for a package fill with the particular material.
                        4.1 - Flammable Solid
                        6.1 - Poison Inhalation Hazard
                        8 - Corrosive
                        9 - Class 9

Special Provisions - Specifies codes for special provisions applicable to hazardous materials.  The meaning of the codes is given in part 172.102.

Packaging - Refer to 49 CFR Ch. 1 Part 173 for details.

Quantity Limitations - Maximum quantities that may be offered for transportation in one package by passenger-carrying aircraft or rail car or by cargo aircraft only.

Vessel Stowage (Location) - Specifies the authorized stowage location on board cargo and passenger vessels.
A - On deck or below deck
B - On deck or below deck on a vessel limited to not more than the larger of 25 passengers or one passenger per each three meters of overall vessel length and on deck only where the number of passengers exceeds the previously stated limits.
C - On deck only
D - On deck only on a vessel limited to not more than the larger of 25 passengers or one passenger per each three meters of overall vessel length but is prohibited on passenger vessels where the limiting number of passengers is exceeded.

Vessel Stowage (Other) - Refer to 49 CFR Ch. 1 Part 176.84

Railcar

Commodity	Department of Transportation (DOT) Paragraph No.	Classification	Specification
Sulphur, Molten	-	-	111A60W1
Sulphur Dioxide	173.314	Non Flammable Gas	105A200W 106A500X 110A500W
Sulphuric Acid (<51wt%)	173.272	Corrosive	111A60W5
Sulphuric Acid (>51wt%, <65.25wt%)	173.272	Corrosive	111A60W2 (Interior Coated)
Sulphuric Acid (>65.25wt%)	173.272	Corrosive	111A60W2 111A100W2
Sulphuric Acid & Nitric Acid Mixture (containing not less than 10% sulphuric acid)	173.267	Oxidizer	111A60W2 111A100W2
Sulphuric Acid, Fuming	173.272	Corrosive	111A60W2 111A100W2
Sulphuric Acid, Methacrylic Acid & Inhibitors Mixture	173.245	Corrosive	111A60W2 111A100W2
Sulphuric Anhydride, Stabilized	173.273	Corrosive	111A60W2 111A100W2
Sulphur Trioxide, Stabilized	173.273	Corrosive	111A60W2 111A100W2

Tank Car Specifications

105A200W	Steel fusion-welded tank manway nozzle Insulated Top unloading arrangement required Safety valve (150 psi) Bottom outlet or washout prohibited
106A500X 110A500W	Multiple unit with removable steel uninsulated tanks mounted on underframe.  Tanks have fusion-welded longitudinal tank seam and forge welded head seams.  Each tank equipped with loading and discharge valve and safety valve or vent set for pressure not exceeding 375 psi.  Popular name is "Ton Container".
111A60W2	Steel fusion-welded tank without dome Non-insulated or insulated 2% minimum outage Gauging device Top unloading arrangement required Safety valve (35 psi) (required on certain commodities as specified by DOT) or safety vent (60 psi) Bottom outlet prohibited, bottom washout optional
111A100W2	Same as 111A60W2 but with safety valve (75 psi) (required on certain commodities as specified by DOT) or safety vent (100 psi)
111A60W5	Steel fusion-welded tank without dome Non-insulated or insulated Rubber-lined tank 2% minimum outage Gauging device Top unloading arrangement required Safety vent (60 psi) Bottom outlet or washout prohibited

North American Emergency Response Guide No. 137

Australia

Cargo Ship - Bulk Sulphur

The following are guidelines for the safe handling of bulk sulphur transported by ocean going cargo ships.

Hold Cleanliness

Must be thoroughly clean and washed with fresh water.   Hold should be lime washed on trimming plates and tank tops.  Upper sections should have sound coating of paint.

Weather Precautions

No special precautions.  Can be worked in the rain.

Carriage

Seal hatches tightly.  Remove ALL fuses serving holds and adjacent spaces.  Any hold ventilators should have spark arrestors.  Pump bilge wells regularly to prevent accumulation of water/acid solution.

Discharge

Normal grab discharge.

Clean Up

There is a possibility of dust explosions, especially after discharge and during cleaning.  It is strongly recommended that holds are washed out with fresh water and NOT swept.  Ensure that all residues are washed away and the holds thoroughly dried.  Wet dust or residues will form highly corrosive sulphurous acid, which is extremely dangerous to personnel and will corrode steel.