Gas tank gains muscle
In bulk transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), safety is of paramount concern. Manufacturers of pressurized road tankers must meet rigorous industry standards to ensure safety at every stage of operation.Technoimpianti Apm is a leading manufacturer of road tankers for special applications in the most demanding markets. A recent order for 19 pressurized road tankers specified unusually challenging requirements for mechanical strength.
Forta LDX 2404 meets – and beats – expectations
Marking the first use of Forta LDX 2404 in construction of pressurized tankers, Outokumpu provided Technoimpianti Apm with duplex stainless steel high in chromium and nitrogen content. LDX 2404 delivers a higher mechanical strength than other common duplex grades with generally high corrosion resistance.
Indeed, LDX 2404 significantly exceeded Technoimpianti Apm’s requirements. “Outokumpu not only accepted the challenge to guarantee mechanical properties higher than those required by standards,” says Technoimpianti Apm General Manager Engineer Marco Amantia, “it also delivered plates with much higher values than those promised.”
Extra-wide plates reduce welding time
Outokumpu’s technical expertise helped TiApm achieve their goals. Marco Frigo, engineer and technical manager for Outokumpu in Italy, provided in-depth technical expertise with particular focus on welding.
Tanker shells were constructed with 3000-mm-wide plates, reducing the manufacturer’s welding time considerably. Tighter tolerances made welding easier. And discs supplied for construction of tanker heads were customized, completely eliminating the need for welding on those components.
This innovative use of Forta LDX 2404 – stronger but lighter – allows tanker walls to be 2 mm thinner, reducing the weight of each semi-trailer by 20% (1.2 tons) compared to similar units built of carbon steel. Through other new technology – use of one pump per truck to load and unload cargo, instead of two – TiApm even further reduces overall weight. Thanks to LDX 2404, pressurized road tankers can be safer, stronger and lighter.