Safe Handling of Tank Containers - ITCO

ICHCA International Safety Panel Briefing Pamphlet No 30
A2.2.11 The degree of filling should be filled in the appropriate box on the Dangerous
or Non Regulated Goods Note (see Annex 4, figure A4.2 and figure A4.3
Note: Tank containers shall not be offered for transport:
with a degree of filling, for liquids having a viscosity of less than 2,680
mm 2 /s at 20 ° C, or,
at the maximum temperature of the substance during transport in the
case of a heated substance, of more than 20% but less than 80%
unless the shells of portable tanks are divided, by partitions or surge
plates, into sections of not more than 7,500 litre capacity;
A2.2.12 Minimum Degrees of Filling - Worked Example
Example: A substance, non-viscous, is a dangerous good. It has a liquid
density of 1.51 at 20 º C. It is loaded at ambient temperature. A
shipper wishes to ship 20,000 kg consignments in tank
containers. The only suitable tank containers do not have
baffles. What capacity of tank should be chosen from a selection
of tank containers with capacities 15,000 litres, 17,000 litres or
20,000 litres to carry the substance?
Step one: Calculate the volume (in litres) of the substance the shipper
intends to load at the filling temperature:
Cargo Net Mass
Liquid Density
20,000 kg
1.51
= Volume (litres)
= 13,245 litres
Step two: The maximum size of an un-baffled tank which can be used to
carry this non-viscous substance is calculated by:
Volume (litres) x 100
80
13,245 x 100
80
= Theoretical tank size
= 16,556 litres
If a tank container without baffles is selected with a greater
capacity than 16,556 litres, it will be less than 80% full for this
particular substance.
Solution: From the available ISO tank containers the 15,000 litre one must
be used.
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