Category Archives: Crude By Rail

Crude By Rail, Derailment, Emergency Readiness & Response, Explosion, Fire, Foam, Spill prevention and response

NEW! DOT 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook

By Roger Straw, June 21, 2016

U.S. Department of Transportation releases 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook for First Responders

Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of a Dangerous Goods/ Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident
ERG2016_logo
Click to download the NEW 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook (latest version, June 2016)
  • English Emergency Response Guide helps satisfy 49 CFR 172.602 — DOT’s requirement that hazardous materials shipments be accompanied by emergency response info
  • ERG guide aids in emergency preparedness, planning, and training
  • Emergency Response Guidebook formats come in standard size (5-1/2″ x 7-1/2″) or pocket size (4″ x 5-1/2″)
  • Formerly known as the North American Emergency Response Guidebook
  • Bound pocket size version ($5.95).
  • Youtube video overview/introduction.

2016 Emergency Response Guidebook Summary of Changes from 2012 ERG

  • Replaced written instructions on page 1 with a flow chart to show how to use the ERG2016.
  • Expanded Table of Placards and updated title to Table of Markings, Labels, and Placards and Initial Response Guide to Use on Scene.
  • Expanded Rail Car Identification Chart and Road Trailer Identification Chart to two pages each.
  • Updated Table 1 and Table 3 based on new TIH data and reactivity research.
  • Updated pipeline emergency response information.
  • Added information about Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) markings.
  • Added all new dangerous goods/hazardous materials listed in UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to 19th Revised Edition.
  • Added information on Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAP) applicable in Canada.
Clabber, Crude By Rail, Empty tank cars, Heel, Residue train

Empty tank cars aren’t so empty

Repost of an email from Matt Krogh, Extreme Oil Campaign, STAND
[See also High Hazardous Flammable train placards to watch for.  – RS]

Empty tank cars and tank car cleaning resources

…here are a couple of government, industry, and expert sources. re the likely volume of crude oil in a given “empty” residue tank car with a hazmat placard:

Definitions:

Heel: the crude oil residue in the bottom and on sides of the tank car

Clabber: consolidated scunge from many uses w/out cleaning

This document for Customs and Border Patrol provides a sample estimate of oil tank cars having 7% heel, or 2,100 gallons for a 30,000 gallon car (p.7):

https://www.jjkeller.com/wcsstore/CVCatalogAssetStore/references/hazmat/2011/031511FAQ.pdf

This document by the American Petroleum Institute explains the different ways they measure heel, and also supports the likelihood of 7% heel. It also contains this statement, which raises concerns about fluctuating vapor pressure and off-gassing: https://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas/wells-to-consumer/transporting-oil-natural-gas/rail-transportation/api-rp-3000 “Classifying and Loading of Crude Oil into Rail Tank Cars”

Crude oil expands and contracts based on changes in temperature. For example, the volume can change by 0.4 % to 0.6 % per 10 °F change depending upon the density. Volume corrections shall be carried out in accordance with API MPMS Ch. 11.1-2004 or API MPMS Ch. 11.5, as appropriate.

This formal filing by Phyllis Fox explains how tank cars vent toxic gas, including residue cars, and why temperature changes can cause tank cars to vent:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8YDhXs8GFwJX00xXzl4clR4ckU/view?usp=sharing

Crude By Rail, High Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFTs), Placard, Tank car identification

High Hazardous Flammable train placards to watch for

By Roger Straw, June 21, 2016

High Hazardous Flammable train placards to watch for

Following the latest derailment in Mosier OR, I became even more curious to know exactly what hazardous material is in a passing oil train or truck.  Taken from my LINKS page, here’s a brief summary of the most common placards:

Images

Crude oil carries the number 1267 on the placard, and ethanol can be 1203, 3475, 1987 or 1170, depending whether it is mixed with gasoline and it’s purity.

Crude oil:

Placard 1267 Crude Oil

Downloads

Here’s a  downloadable card you can print and carry with you (and a larger version of the card).

For a COMPLETE LISTING of placard identification symbols and numbers, see the 2016 DOT Emergency Response Guidebook. (be patient – 4.8MB, large download)

Ethanol:

Placards 1203, 3475, 1987, 1170 - Ethanol

Placard 1203 – Basically gasoline, a blended fuel with up to 10% ethanol.
Placard 3475 – blended fuel with 11% to 94% ethanol.
Placard 1987 – Denatured fuel ethanol, 95% to 99% ethanol .
Placard 1170 – Neat ethanol, 100%.

Bakken Crude, Crude By Rail, Federal Regulation (U.S.), Local Regulation, Surface Transportation Board, Union Pacific Railroad, Valero Benicia Refinery, Valero Crude By Rail

Union Pacific sends letter to Surface Transportation Board in support of Valero

By Roger Straw, June 17, 2016

Union Pacific letter to the Surface Transportation Board in support of Valero Benicia Refinery

Related imageOn June 17, Union Pacific Railroad (UP) sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board ” in support of the request of Valero Refining Company…for the Board to institute a declaratory order proceeding.”

UP is the railroad that would carry dangerous and dirty North American crude by rail through California’s mountain ranges, wildlands, towns and cities to Valero Refinery in Benicia, if Benicia’s City Council gives approval in September. Local observers here in Benicia have seen UP upgrading its infrastructure at great expense in anticipation of a Valero permitting success.

The UP letter is plain in its financial motivation, and says nothing about the health and safety of the earth or its inhabitants. The railroad asks for a free hand in all operations, direct or indirect, involving rail transport of hazardous materials.