Use a suitable tool to remove outlet cap and slowly loosen bottom outlet control valve. Check to make sure the outlet valve is closed.ĥ. Place a drip pan under the bottom outlet discharge port.Ĥ. Wear all required personal protective gear.ģ.
![hopper car hopper car](https://www.railpictures.net/images/d2/8/7/7/3877.1604163162.jpg)
Check to make sure bottom outlet valve is closed.Ģ. Any spillage that occurs should also be properly cleaned up.įollow these rules before removing any bottom outlet cap:ġ. This can be accomplished with flame arrestor equipped temporary covers.Ĭare must be taken to prevent foreign substances from accidentally falling into the hopper. Open hatches on hopper cars loading or unloading flammable materials must be protected against the entrance of sparks or other sources of ignition. If hopper car unloading is discontinued for any reason or unloading is complete, all hatch covers should be closed and be wrench tight, all unloading connections to process disconnected and end closures applied wrench tight.Īll bottom outlet caps must be properly fastened and equipped with a chain or other type of securement. Hopper cars should be monitored or attended during the process of loading/unloading and not allowed to stand connected to process piping after loading/unloading is complete. The following suggestions are typical of a good work practice when loading or offloading hopper cars: These operators are responsible for all fittings on the top and bottom of the hopper car. Only properly trained personnel, observing all company standard operating procedures (SOPs) should load and/or unload a hopper car. All outlets must operate properly, be compatible with the products they carry and meet minimum clearance requirements set by the DOT. Hopper cars bottom outlets are of steel, stainless steel, or aluminum construction.Īll bottom outlets must be leak free, be equipped with attached bottom outlet caps.
![hopper car hopper car](https://www.imperialtrainco.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30-75607.jpg)
Types include a gravity pneumatic, sparger, fluidized butterfly, fluidized pneumatic, adjustable pneumatic, and gravity sliding type discharge. Hopper Car Inspection Bottom Outlets (Unloading Systems)īottom outlets on hopper cars come in several types and are either bolted or welded onto the hopper car.