After several years of effort and a multitude of meetings, the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) has approved a chemical vapor recovery recommended practice for United States cargo tank trailers. Designated Recommended Practice #102-02-Vapor Recovery Line Configurations for DOT407 and DOT412 Cargo Tanks, the RP was approved during the TTMA annual meeting April 18-20 in Tucson AZ.
Final approval couldn't have been more timely. On April 2, 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking on national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants: organic liquids distribution (non-gasoline). The NPRM was published in the Federal Register.
In developing the RP, members of the TTMA Tank Committee consulted with other groups, including the American Chemistry Council and National Tank Truck Carriers. It is hoped that the RP will lead to greater standardization of vapor recovery systems at chemical loading racks and among tank truck carriers.
The RP established standard configurations for vapor recovery lines on the types of stainless steel tank trailers typically used for chemicals. These configurations provide for top (on the tank) and bottom (near the product discharge outlet) vapor recovery connections.
Standardization of chemical vapor recovery will enable industry personnel (at truck fleets, wash racks, and shipper and consignee locations) to become familiar with a common arrangement, according to Jeff Sims at TTMA. Standardization also controls equipment cost by precluding development of unique systems and helping tank truck carriers avoid the need to create customized vapor recovery hardware for each customer site.
The RP applies to new tanks only; existing cargo tanks are not covered. It is available from TTMA for $53. To order, contact TTMA, 1020 Princess St, Alexandria VA 22314-2247.