NICKEL STEEL FOR CALOR GAS TANKERS
Page 50
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
INCREASES in payload up to 31tons are Iclaimed by International Nickel Ltd., Thames House, Millbank, London SW!, by the use of a new low-alloy nickel steel in place of mild steel in the construction of six chassisless semi-trailer pressurized tankers of the tandem-bogie type and of seven rigid tankers for the Calor Gas Company.
The tankers were fabricated by Old Park Engineering Ltd. (a Tube Investments company) and the trailers are hauled by Leyland and ERF tractive units. The rigid tankers are based on Albion Clydesdale chassis.
Tanker-trailers designed for carrying propane (or ammonia) have a g.v.w. rating of 30 tons, while butane tankers have a rating of 32 tons, the ratings of the semi-trailers being 24.46 tons and 26.46 tons respectively. The single-compartment tank of both trailers has a water capacity of 8,050 gal. and the respective payloads are 15.69 tons and 18.2 tons.
Equipped with Goodyear Super Single tyres, the Hands Neway tandem-axle running gear of the trailers is attached to the shell with the aid of a sub-frame comprising bearer plates and webs and bearers are also used to reinforce the structure in the area of the king-pin of the fifth wheel and in the region of the landing legs.
Nickel content of the shell is 0.7/1.0 per cent, and it is claimed that the high yield strength of the steel is the feature of the structure that has mainly contributed to its low weight.
The alloy steel of the shell is only fin. thick (a mild-steel tank would have had a thickness of fin.) while the dished ends and stiffening rings are of in. material. Both tanks are designed to operate at a pressure of 210 p.s.i. at 38°C, the largest tank having a diameter and length of 7 ft. and 34f ft. respectively.
Having a g.v.w, rating of 16 tons, the Albion-based tanker is designed to carry propane and has an unladen weight of 8.6 tons, which gives a payload of 7.4 tons. The tank is attached to the chassis with U bolts in the normal way.