Imagine a world without tanker trucks. Fuel would not reach petrol stations, chemical supplies to factories would be disrupted, and even liquid ingredients for everyday food would be difficult to transport. Tanker trucks are used in many industries and have an undeniable role to play. In this article, we’ll take a look at what tanker trucks can transport, thus effectively supporting various industries.
Table of Contents
What is a tanker truck?
A tanker truck is a specialised transport vehicle equipped with a cylindrical tank. The tank is usually made of aluminium, stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials. It can carry many cargoes, from ordinary liquids to dangerous goods. To adapt to different transport needs, tanker trucks are usually designed as a multi-compartment structure. These compartments can separately accommodate different types of cargoes, maximising transport efficiency and safety. Depending on the needs, different types of tanker trucks need to be used.
Types of cargo transported by tanker trucks
Fuel and Petroleum Products
Tanker trucks are a central tool in the fuel industry and are widely used to transport petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). These cargoes require special tank designs to prevent leakage and volatilisation. They are also equipped with vapour recovery systems to reduce environmental pollution. Standard large tanker trucks can carry between 5,000 and 11,600 gallons of fuel. This ensures that oil can be transported to critical locations such as petrol stations and airports. If you would like to learn more about the capacity details of tanker trucks, feel free to read our other article on the subject.
Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
The chemical industry has stringent requirements for tanker trucks. These vehicles transport corrosive acids (such as sulphuric and nitric acids), industrial solvents, toxic liquids, and weak acids. To ensure safe transport, tanks are usually constructed with rubber or plastic lining. They also have external reinforcement rings to prevent leakage under high pressure. These tankers routinely have a capacity of 4,000 to 7,000 gallons and a pressure range of 35 to 50 psi.
Liquid Food
Food-grade tankers are widely used to transport liquid foods such as cooking oil, syrups and milk. The tanks are manufactured using food-grade materials to ensure that the cargo meets hygiene standards during transport. They are typically used for precise distribution over shorter distances and have a typical capacity of up to 6,000 gallons.
Dry Bulk
Tanker trucks can also transport dry bulk goods such as cement, plastic pellets or flour. These materials are efficiently unloaded through the tanker’s pneumatic system, with a tapered bottom to make the process smoother. Conventional capacities are available up to 2,000 cubic feet.
Cryogenic liquids
Transporting cryogenic liquids is a complex and necessary task in the medical, scientific or industrial sectors. Cryogenic tankers are designed to maintain ultra-low temperatures of liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen or liquid oxygen through double vacuum insulation. They are commonly used in the medical, scientific and industrial production sectors. The corresponding transport pressures typically range from 23.5 to 500 psi.
How do tanker trucks ensure safe transport?
Tanker trucks carry cargo that is often related to every aspect of our lives. Therefore, safety is always their top priority. Here are a few important safety features:
Emergency shutdown system: in the event of an accident, it can quickly cut off the outflow of cargo to avoid further damage.
Rollover protection: Ensures the integrity of the tank and cargo in the rare event of a rollover accident.
Baffle design: Reduces instability caused by liquid shaking during transport.
Vapour recovery system: captures vapour generated during loading and unloading, reducing the impact on the environment.
Conclusion
Tanker trucks are the ‘heroes’ of the transport industry, making our daily lives easier. From fuelling cars to safeguarding industrial production, to maintaining the food supply chain, tankers are everywhere. Tanker trucks are therefore vital to our lives.
As a leading semi-trailer manufacturer and distributor in China, Truckman Automobile understands the diverse needs of our customers for tanker trucks. Our tanker trucks offer excellent performance and are suitable for transporting a wide range of goods, including fuel, chemicals and food. If you have special needs, we also offer a customisation service. Whether it’s transport specifications or technical features, we can tailor a solution for you. Contact us today to choose the transport solution that’s right for you!