OPW Engineered Systems News

OPW’s 125-year-plus commitment to providing one of the safest, most reliable and most efficient storage-terminal loading-arm technologies has rightfully positioned it as one of the acknowledged leaders in the field. The latest manifestation of its expertise in this realm came in 2019 when the company announced that it had performed a top-to-bottom reimagining of its loading-arm business, with the creation of three distinct OPW Engineered Systems loading-arm families: StandardLine, ProLine and CustomLine.

In the fluid storage terminal industry, hundreds of product-transfer activities that take place on any given day carry with them the built-in risk of a product release occurring. Product releases, especially if the fluid product is deemed dangerous or hazardous, cannot be tolerated in any form or volume because they can cause injury to those administering the transfer process, along with damage to our environment.

With all of the varying characteristics that need to be analyzed for loading arm systems, it can be hard to find a “one size fits all” solution that the bulk-terminal operator will be comfortable installing and using. It is at this point that the flexibility that is offered by customization enters the picture.

The members of the engineering team at OPW Engineered Systems like nothing more than packing up their measuring and surveying tools and heading out to a bulk-plant or terminal site where they can begin the process of designing and creating yet another best-in-class solution for a difficult fluid-handling challenge. Since March, “work-from-home” has become the new normal – at least for the near future.

A real-world example of OPW Engineered Systems’ unique ability to confront a complex challenge and respond with the optimum solution played out recently at a high-volume bottom-loading petroleum terminal in Kentucky. Originally built in the 1940s, the terminal’s truck-loading lanes had undergone a number of “on the fly” upgrades, expansions and reconfigurations over the years that had ultimately resulted in an unorganized and inefficient loading operation.

Compromised connections can lead to product leaks which are often the most obvious problems perceived. These are not only dangerous for site personnel but can lead – in the worst-case scenario – to the accumulation of prohibitive cleanup and remediation costs.

No two fingerprints are alike, at least not in every detail. That same thing can be said for chemical loading and unloading applications. For this reason, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to outfitting loading bays for chemical plants, refineries and terminals.

Dangerous chemicals not only have the ability to potentially harm the health of humans and the environment if mishandled, but they are also very expensive to produce. Therefore, achieving safe operation, product containment and cost-effectiveness is of utmost importance.

Without swivel joints, a number of industries might grind to a halt. For the chemical, petroleum, petrochemical, refining, mining, distilling, brewing, ink and paint markets, swivels are a vital piece in the success of process machinery. Plants are able to transfer fluids and dry bulk materials more securely and efficiently because of the versatility of these components.

Swivel joints provide a smooth connection to protect against machinery breakdown. This lengthens machine element lifetime and reduces maintenance and downtime, a worthwhile investment in the long-term success of a plant. While adding these joints to loading, unloading and processing assemblies is easy to see as a net positive, the selection process can be complex.

EMCO Chemical’s facility houses more than one million gallons of liquid storage, and the company specializes in repackaging and blending bulk chemicals into usable materials for industrial and consumer products. Because of its high operating volume, safety and leak prevention are top priorities. To keep operators safe and chemicals contained, EMCO employs two types of connection systems from OPW Engineered Systems.

Whether moving foodstuffs or fuel, gradual freezing and solidifying of product is liable to slow down operations when external temperatures dip. Insulation is the best defense against loading arm clogs while active and during downtime, but choosing the right heating package requires a few considerations.

To make the most out of the Drylok coupler and adaptor system for use with various fluids such as ethylene oxide, sulfuric acid and other hazardous materials, it is important to understand the proper operating and handling procedures.

If you operate a terminal in a cooler climate, you can relate to the popular phrase "Winter is Coming." When winter does come, it will present challenges that will test your operation and equipment.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of phenolic resins, alkylphenolic resins and alkylated phenols, SI Group has facilities on six continents and works with clients across more than 90 countries. For its railcar unloading operation in Freeport, TX, the company was looking to minimize the risk of product releases through connections to protect its terminal technicians.

Satisfying the needs of clients is a tenet of all businesses, and in the fuel-supply industry, meeting very specific parameters is part of the game. NuStar was faced with a limited number of solutions, but the OPW Engineered Systems 890 Series “Hi-Load” Counterbalance for loading arms was a snug fit.

The largest show of its kind, ILTA is a collection of innovative technology engineered to keep aboveground storage tanks and liquid terminal operations running smoothly. From June 3-5, OPW Engineered Systems provided a look into its advanced offering for fluid transfer, including a new loading arm program and coupler that is the best in bottom loading.

OPW Engineered Systems will officially launch the improved delivery times and flexible options of its StandardLine, ProLine and CustomLine Loading Arm Solutions in Booth 741 at this year's International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) Trade Show, which takes place June 3-5 in Houston, TX.

Having grown from the basic threaded connection to next-generation dry disconnects, chemical processors now have a wide range of choices for their fluid handling applications.

Many different styles of loading arms are deployed around the world. On a new installation, the main goal is to optimize the layout in order to make the operation as seamless as possible. On existing installations, you may have to work with a design that is less than ideal, but there are still steps you can take to optimize your situation.