HOYER Group Develops Next Generation of Titanium Tanks

On behalf of a major chemical client, the engineers of the Hoyer Group have pooled their expertise to develop a new generation of titanium tank containers for highly corrosive hazardous materials. After two years of intensive development and construction, two units will be put into operation in January 2021. The project team has achieved a breakthrough with the connection of the steel frame to the titanium vessel; the sophisticated heating system is another achievement.

(Hamburg) As a logistics solutions provider with experts from various fields, including engineers and chemists, and strong global partners, the Hoyer Group addresses challenging customer inquiries. The company continuously develops optimal logistics solutions for them, establishing its role as an innovation leader in the market.

Material Compatibility as Top Priority

In the development of tank containers for a specific hazardous material, material compatibility is always the top priority to ensure the highest level of quality, safety, reliability, and sustainability. The two new titanium tank containers have been specifically designed and built for the transport of MCA melt/MCA molten. The Hoyer Group rents the containers to a globally operating client in the chemical industry and transports the highly corrosive product at elevated temperatures. Since conventional stainless steel tank containers, whether rubberized or coated, do not meet the product requirements and transport conditions, Hoyer has developed a tailored solution made of titanium.

“From a logistics perspective, corrosive hazardous materials are among the most demanding products. Managing the supply chain on the manufacturer side, maintaining optimal transport conditions, and delivering to the end customer on the forwarding side require special know-how and experience,” says Hans Demarest, Director of Engineering at the Hoyer Group’s headquarters in Hamburg.

Tank Body Successfully Combined with Frame

The connection of the titanium vessel with the stainless steel frame posed a challenge for the project team, as the two materials cannot normally be joined due to their properties. Hoyer, in collaboration with renowned manufacturers, has found a new way to successfully combine the tank body with the frame. Another key component is a specially developed heating system with EX certification, which ensures compliance with the required temperatures from loading to unloading. Like all new tank container constructions from the Hoyer Group, the two new additions are also equipped with smart technology.

Titanium is not only resistant to corrosive products. The longevity is an additional positive aspect of the metal. “We at Hoyer incorporated the first titanium tank containers into our fleet 30 years ago. The three units from the early days are still in use today.” This also justifies the significantly higher acquisition cost.

For the project, the Hoyer Group worked closely with an external tank container manufacturer and a renowned manufacturer of titanium vessels. The long-standing experience and extensive knowledge have contributed to the development of an optimal solution. The project team at Hoyer has created the tank container specifications, managed and supervised the entire production from planning to delivery, and is responsible for ongoing quality assurance. They are also the first point of contact for technical consulting.

Photo: © Hoyer

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