The first thing that comes to our mind when we hear edible oil is food. Also known as cooking, vegetable or even refined oil in other countries, it is the central part of our plates. Whether it’s a house, a restaurant, or a cafe, edible oil occupies the kitchen shelf. However, before we forget, edible oil comes with a variety of uses. Besides, adding life to your platter is a standard fuel for industrial products such as pet food.
The consumption of oil is increasing every year at a tremendous rate. So, have you ever thought about how your edible oil reaches you? The answer is not that simple. The process of getting oil from one place to another is complicated. The process is lengthy and requires more than one management to handle storage and transport. Apart from these, the management also needs to check for any risk of deterioration—for example, contamination or oxidation of the oil.
However, to make edible oil readily available to users, an edible oil tanker transport is used.
What is Oil Tanker Transport?
An oil tanker, in general, is made specifically to fit the technical requirements of oil. Oil tankers help carry oil in bulk and are made to last. The most common feature in edible oil tanker transport is their huge build and storage capacity. Because of their structure and design, they require a lot of maintenance checks during transportation.
Technical Features of Oil Tankers
Here are some of the notable features of oil tankers –
- The Dimension of Oil Tanks
There are many designs for oil tanks. However, the dimension of the type of container used has many commonalities. The most common oil tank is vertical and has a cross-section in between the container. The shape of this type of oil tank is the best for the storage of oil.
- Storage Capacity
Most capacities of storage tanks are similar, if not the same. It is ideal to have at least tanks that can hold a thousand tonnes of oil. It is to note the storage capacity for oil can go as high as five thousand tonnes.
- Oil Tank Materials
Steel or mild steel is the most reliable material for an oil tank. Other than steel, other suitable coatings of the roof and floor can be used. Copper and brass are not safe for storing or transporting oil. Heating causes a significant problem for these materials and may risk deteriorating the oil.
Types of Oil Tanks
There are plenty when it comes to oil tank designs. However, some of the tankers are considered the best for storage as well as transportation. It is to note that oil can be transported by land and water.
Here are two of the most efficient models for storing and transporting oil –
- Ship Oil Tankers
For bulk transportation of oil, ship tanks are highly dependent. They come with efficient capacity that ranges from two hundred to two thousand five hundred tonnes. A ship tank can carry oil in one single vessel or can have multiple vessels.
Ship tanks are made of mild steel with coatings to avoid corrosion. The coatings require timely checks to ensure that the oil is not contaminated.
- Road and Rail Tankers
Road and rail tanks are made from stainless or mild steel. These tankers are perfect for faster transportation of oil from one place to another. However, ship tanks surpass the storage capacity in comparison to road and rail. Maintenance is crucial to ensure the quality of the oil has not deteriorated.
Maintenance Tips For Oil Tankers
Some of the most vital maintenance tips for oil tankers are –
- Timely check of pressure valves, meters, and all steam pipelines.
- All tank coatings should be safe for storage and transporting edible oil.
- Weighing equipment must be accurate to acquire the right weight of oil inside a tank.
- Inspection for cleanliness by the management should not be done every time oil needs to be stored or transported.
- The temperature meter of heating installations in tanks must have active sensors at all times to prevent overheating of oil. Most tanks come with automatic sensors.
- While storing oil, separate pipelines should be used to avoid cross-contamination. A proper pipe should be used to drain any excess oil.
Conclusion
Besides the maintenance tips, keeping a timely check on all the oil tank elements is also crucial. This can eventually save tons of money, oil, and time during edible oil tanker transport. Hence, ensuring a safe and convenient supply of oil to the markets.
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