Tank container

Abstract: An intermodal tank container and complementary chassis, and features and methods for use thereof, are disclosed. The intermodal tank container and chassis has an appearance and length substantially similar to a non-intermodal OTR tank trailer, while affording the same capacity as an intermodal tank container. The design of the tank container allows for an improved, lighter design for the chassis and for improved usability of the tank container in intermodal environments such as with rail cars. The reduced weight of the chassis allows for a greater payload while remaining within various applicable legal restrictions for gross vehicle weight, axle weight, etc.

Abstract: A system for continuously monitoring fills of liquid such as fuel oil in a tank, and the condition of the liquid. A dual in-line air bell structure senses fluid pressure at upper and lower locations inside the tank, the locations being spaced a known distance apart from one another in a normal direction relative to the tank. Processing circuitry responsive to the fluid pressures obtained via the air bell structure, determines quantities of liquid contained in the tank at certain times and produces corresponding outputs such as gallons of liquid delivered to the tank at each of a number of delivery times, and total gallons of liquid in the tank as the liquid is consumed. The air bell structure is formed with upper and lower air bell sections joined end-to-end along a common axis. Each of the air bell sections includes at least one aperture in its wall to define a cross-section through the air bell section. Liquid pressures sensed at the defined cross-sections of each of the air bell sections, are communicated by pumped air lines to the processing circuitry. The system can be operated on-site or remotely through a telephone modem. Records of tank liquid levels, delivery amounts, and other important data are stored for later access by the user.

Abstract: Effective logistics is the key to improving supply chain performance. Tank containers are attractive from the viewpoints of safety, cost, and environment, and are widely used for transporting fluid chemicals. Minimizing the logistics costs arising from the container flow imbalances across the globe and container cleaning is a major issue that chemical companies and affiliated third-party logistics firms face routinely. In contrast to dry containers, this important problem of managing tank containers in global chemical logistics has received no attention. An innovative, event-based, “pull” approach is presented for the minimum-cost or the maximum-profit scheduling of the transport and cleaning of multiproduct tank containers (loaded and empty) given a set of projected shipment orders. A novel linear programming formulation is developed and illustrated through examples that successfully solves large, industrially relevant problems with key practical considerations such as alternate ship schedules, delivery time windows, and intermodal transport routes. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51: 178 –197, 2005

Abstract: An intermodal tank container for use interchangeably in railroad, highway, marine and terminal modes, including a tank for containing lading and having means for loading lading thereinto and means for unloading lading therefrom, two spaced-apart end frames mounted respectively on the opposite ends of the tank, each end frame including a rigid framework surrounding an area greater than that of the adjacent end of the tank, and a tank support ring surrounding and rigidly secured to the adjacent end of the tank and rigidly secured to the framework for transmitting forces therebetween, the tank comprising the only connection between the end frames and having all parts thereof contained within an envelope defined by the peripheries of the end frames.