Midland Begins Service Trials Of Latest External Pressure Relief Valve For Rail Tank-Cars

By OPW | Jun 02, 2016
Company says their Smart-Flow™ PRV is optimized for safety and performance

SKOKIE, IL – June 2, 2016 – Midland Manufacturing, part of OPW, is proud to announce that it has received approval from the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to begin field trials of its latest external pressure relief valve (PRV), Smart-Flow™. Developed to optimize product flow rate and extend tank-car integrity after a tank-car derailment, Smart-Flow is the perfect balance of safety and performance.
Photo of Smart-Flow PRV
"Maximizing post-derailment safety of a tank car carrying crude, ethanol or other flammable material has always posed a quandary for the industry," said Bill Galbreath, Midland Product Manager. "How do you give first responders enough time? How much lading should be released to relieve pressure? What flow rate should you use?"

Using Midland's established design expertise in pressure relief valve flow dynamics, its engineers worked closely with its customers to answer the aforementioned, and developed an optimized solution. 

That solution is the Midland Smart-Flow, a PRV that achieves 10,730 SCFM at 75 psig. Verified by the AFFTAC (Analysis of Fire Effects on Tank Cars) model, Midland's results showed a tank car could easily surpass the 100-minute survival requirement as stipulated by the Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains (HM-251) regulation while attaining more than a 99% reduction in the lading's original volume at the point of tank failure, minimizing the amount of potential accelerant released.

"The analysis also shows that the Smart-Flow can do this more effectively and safely than higher flow pressure relief valves," said Galbreath.

Rail tank-car owners, builders and lessors should contact Midland Manufacturing to receive more information, specifications and diagrams for Smart-Flow. For additional information on this and other Midland products, including its products for DOT-117 tank cars and complete line of fittings, visit: http://www.midlandmfg.com

About Midland Manufacturing:
 Midland Manufacturing is part of OPW, a global leader in fully integrated fluid handling, management, monitoring and control solutions for the safe and efficient handling of critical petroleum-derived fluids from the refinery to the commercial and retail points of consumption, including loading systems, rail and transport tank truck equipment, tank gauging equipment and automated fuel management systems, valves and fittings, underground and above ground storage tank equipment, spill containers, overfill prevention devices, secondary containment sumps and flexible piping, fuel dispensing products, including swivels, breakaways, industrial and automatic dispensing nozzles for vapor recovery, gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels, and clean energy fueling nozzles and accessories for LPG, Hydrogen and CNG. OPW also manufactures automated vehicle wash systems. OPW has 1,650+ employees with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Brazil, China and India and sales offices around the world. OPW is an operating company within the Fluids segment of Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV). For more information on OPW, please visit www.opwglobal.com.        
                                                        
 

OPW Products

Finding the right solution for our customers is a mission without boundaries.

A strong global presence, coupled with extensive engineering, research and testing capabilities, enables OPW to create a steady flow of new products while, at the same time, helping enhance the performance of existing products.

View Our Products

 

Delivering the Best Quality Loading Arms

OPW offers premium-grade top and bottom loading arms, swivel joints, sight flow indicators, quick and dry disconnect couplers and safety breakaways for use in railcar rack systems and platforms, bulk plant and liquid terminals applications.

Engineered Systems Homepage

 

Safe and Efficient Fueling Transportation

OPW creates components and systems for use on tank trucks, tankers and rail tank cars to provide for the safe and efficient loading, transport, transfer, handling and unloading of petroleum-based fuels, chemicals and dry bulk cargo hazardous bulk products around the world.

Civacon Homepage Midland Homepage

 

Revolutionizing Fueling Operations Worldwide

OPW offers solutions for conventional, vapor recovery, DEF, Ethanol, Biodiesel, CNG, LPG and Hydrogen fueling, as well as a complete portfolio of solutions for above ground storage tanks.

Retail Fueling Homepage

 
 

Helping to Make Car Wash Operators Successful

PDQ has provided the car wash industry with cutting-edge technological advances in car wash equipment and car wash systems, including the first contouring arch and the Virtual Treadle.

PDQ Homepage Belanger Homepage

 

Delivering the Best Quality Loading Arms

OPW offers premium-grade top and bottom loading arms, swivel joints, sight flow indicators, quick and dry disconnect couplers and safety breakaways for use in railcar rack systems and platforms, bulk plant and liquid terminals applications.

Fluid Transfer Group Europe Homepage

 

Safe and Efficient Fueling Transportation

OPW creates components and systems for use on tank trucks, tankers and rail tank cars to provide for the safe and efficient loading, transport, transfer, handling and unloading of petroleum-based fuels, chemicals and dry bulk cargo hazardous bulk products around the world.

Fluid Transfer Group Europe Homepage

 

Revolutionizing Fueling Operations Worldwide

OPW offers solutions for conventional, vapor recovery, DEF, Ethanol, Biodiesel, CNG, LPG and Hydrogen fueling, as well as a complete portfolio of solutions for above ground storage tanks.

Retail Fueling Homepage