Bottom Loading Arms
The advantage of Bottom Loading Arms is that these can be operated at ground level without need for loading platforms.
When using a single bottom loading arm, the vapour is usually vented through an opening at the top of the tank. Preferably, this should be capable of being opened from ground level thereby preventing the need for the operator to access the top of the truck. This loading procedure, using a single bottom loading arm, is widely used and is referred to as an ‘open loop’ product transfer.
Increasingly, however, a combination of two bottom loading arms is used simultaneously to provide ‘closed loop’ product transfer. In this configuration, the product is filled through one Bottom loading arm whilst the vapour is recovered through a second usually having a smaller diameter than the product arm. This technique is necessary for low-density liquids (such as butane and propane) and fluids with toxic or explosive vapours. The closed loop operation prevents product escaping into the atmosphere and offers the best possible operator safety whilst minimising environmental pollution.
Bottom unloading with a single loading arm can be achieved using a tanker surge pump or even more simply by gravity. The latter method may require a low-height bottom loading station with special compact-design swivels designed to prevent ‘air pockets’ in the product line.
As with top loading arms, double bottom loading arms with suitable couplings can be used for pressurized unloading using the vapour arm to pressurize the tanker.
With all bottom unloading methods practically all product is evacuated from the tanker.
Bottom loading arms are also particularly suitable for use with electro static sensitive fluids.
As with the Top loading arms, the use of KANON balance cylinders ensures that Bottom loading arms can be manoeuvred through all positions with minimal effort.
Horizontal Balancing System
In addition to the overall balancing of he Bottom loading arms, KANON’s optional horizontal balancing system keeps the outboard pipe horizontal in every connecting position.
Compared with systems incorporating conventional gas struts, this unique parallelogram design provides true balancing of all forces, especially when the arm is fitted with heavy valves or couplings.
KANON’s ergonomic design eliminates hard physical work for the operator, reducing the connection to a light duty, one man operation.