Loading Arms
Overview
A design survey is usually carried out to establish the location of the loading arm in the loading bay and the working envelope. The working envelope is the maximum limit up to which the loading arm can be connected to the road or rail tanker in the loading bay.
The connection of the loading arm can be made by flange, thread or by quick connection coupler such as the Alpha Fluiseal drybreak coupling.
Loading arm driveaway protection is always recommended to prevent major product spillage in the event that the road or rail tanker moves off while still connected. In this case, the Alpha Process Controls ERC breakaway coupling can provide this safety critical equipment as part of the complete system.
Benefits
In-house design
Reliable operation
Superior swivel Joints
Versatility
Associated equipment
Stress analysis
Proven design
Range of applications
Rigorously tested
Obtainable records
Spare parts
Product trials
Manufacturing quality
Loading arms applications:
- Road tanker loading and unloading
- Rail tanker loading and unloading.
Typical products handled include:
- Liquefied gases: LPG, butane, propane, propylene, chemicals, waste products.
- Sizes
2″ to 4″ or metric equivalents. - Pipework and elbows
Low temperature carbon steel. - Welding
Welding carried out by Lloyds-approved orbital welding machine and coded welders - Swivel joints
Low temperature carbon steel with vacuum hardened raceways. - Swivel joint mounting
Flanged for ease of servicing. - Swivel joint seals
- Connections
Inlet to the loading arm flanged to most standards including ANSI, BS, DIN, ISO and JIS - Outlet to tanker can be flange to flange, Fluiseal drybreak coupling or ACME threaded couplings.
- ERC breakaway coupling
Complete with simple pull cable actuation or nitrogen operated cylinder. - Temperature range
-50˚C to 100˚C. - Pressure tested
Pressure tested to 40bar.
Q: Does APC recommend using break bolt-type couplings on loading arms?
A: APC does not recommend using the break bolt type coupling on loading arms. Having conducted extensive testing since 1989, APC have conclusively proved that there is an increased risk of product leakage between the two coupling halves if the coupling is subjected to unforeseen stresses during the filling operation. APC have also been notified on numerous occasions that break bolt-type couplings (not APC manufacture) have developed leaks or have prematurely separated when being used on loading arms. APC suggests that only emergency release collar couplings should be used for driveaway protection on loading arms.
