14 BULLETIN 898, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
SHIPPING IN TANK CARS. 
CLEANING CARS. 
Before loading turpentine into a tank car, the shipper should make 
sure, by a thorough personal inspection, that all the valves are in 
good working order and will close tight, and that the tank is clean’ 
inside. The statement that the tank was cleaned before leaving the 
place where last used, or the last point of transfer to the railroad, is 
not sufficient, as the railroad company, to meet some emergency, may 
have used it for some other purpose in the meantime, or an irre- 
sponsible person may have dumped refuse into it en route. Turpen- 
tine rendered off color or contaminated from having been shipped in 
a dirty or rusty container probably will be rejected by the consignee, 
or accepted only at a decided discount at the expense of the shipper. 
Therefore, turpentine should never be loaded into a dirty or rusty 
tank, unless specific instructions are given or permission to do so in 
writing is obtained from the purchaser or consignee. Whenever nec- 
essary, the tank should be cleaned and the claim for this service or 
expense included in the final settlement for the turpentine. 
When a boiler is available, the best way to clean a dirty tank car 
is to blow steam ' into it through the dome opening, leaving the bot- 
tom outlet open. The condensed steam escaping through this outlet 
carries with it much of the dirt and rust, at the same time driving out 
any fumes which may be present in the tank. After the tank has 
been thoroughly steamed the manhole cover may be removed and _ 
the interior flushed out with a stream of cold water. When the tank 
has become cool enough to permit a workman to enter, any rust or 
dirt adhering to the sides should be swept down with a broom and a 
bucket or two of water. Finally all dirt and water should be swept 
out of the tank through the outlet, and the outlet pipe and valve 
thoroughly cleaned. 
As few turpentine plants have a boiler and arrangements to use 
steam, the tank usually must be cleaned as thoroughly as possible 
with a broom and water. Soap powder or a little lye dissolved in 
the water helps to loosen the dirt, if of a greasy nature. Finally, the 
tank should be thoroughly flushed or rinsed with clean water and 
allowed to drain. Certain precautions (p. 16) must be taken when a 
workman enters a turpentine tank. 
LoapDING CARS. 
The track where the tank car is cleaned should be absolutely level; 
otherwise, it is difficult to clean and fillit properly. Before beginning 
to fill the car, draw all water from the storage tank through the bot- 
1 Steam should not be used for cleaning a tank which has been painted on the inside with shellac, as it 
causes the shellac to crack oT, necessitating repainting. Shellacked tanks should be cleaned only ath 
water and a broom, using soap if necessary. 
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