DuPont, the world leader in sodium metal production, has designed and constructed a skid-mounted ISO container unloading system for customers wishing to expand their sodium handling capabilities. These systems enable customers to receive bulk quantities of sodium.

In one application, the customer's ability to utilize 30,000 lb. ISO truck volumes of sodium vs. 5 lb. ingots packed in drums also reduced manpower needs, tripled capacity, and improved operability. DuPont backed the installation with technical support in the areas of process chemistry, process safety management, and project management to insure a safe and efficient transitiion to the molten sodium feed.

The two skid system consists of a modular hot oil system that is capable of delivering 140 degree C Conoco® Hydroclear™ heat transfer oil to the ISO container and sodium feed tank skid at a flow-rate of 250 gallons per minute through a seal-less centrifugal pump. The modular unit contains a complete operating spare pump to allow for continuous service. The hot oil skid is fabricated with an atmospheric rated, 800 gallon tank and steam/ oil heat exchanger. Average melt time for an ISO container is 4 to 5 hours.

The sodium feed tank skid comprises the remaining portion of the modular system. This skid contains a 730 gallon, working capacity code stamped stainless steel vessel with all piping and instruments mounted over a spill containment sump.

All process controls are mounted on the feed tank skid including a PLC, marshalling panel, and a mass flow transmitter used as an interface with the customer's process to insure safe, reliable delivery of product and continuous process monitoring.

The feed tank can deliver up to 10 pounds per minute of molten osdium via nitrogen pressure. A stainless steel sodium transfer line and process vessel delivery system was also provided for reliable transmission of material from the modular unit. Major system safety interlocks include; sodium tank level, hot oil temperature, hot oil flow rate, sodium tank pressure, and sodium transfer line temperature and a dual flow-meter comparator.

All systems can be equipped for total spill-containment and inert-gas quench in the event of a sodium leak or fire.