Plug and ball valves for ethanol tank cars

Railway Age, April, 2008

Due to its reaction with water, ethanol is more susceptible to contamination than other fuel products and cannot be shipped via multi-product pipeline, making tank cars the primary transport choice. Midland Manufacturing offers an extensive line of Bottom Outlet Plug Valves and Ball Valves especially for ethanol tank cars.

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Midland Plug Valves utilize an AAR-approved dual O-ring and metal-to-metal seal design, guaranteeing a positive shutoff. Since ethanol can degrade some sealants, these valves have been constructed with PFA-encapsulated viton O-rings. The Plug Valves' simple vertical motion uses a live loaded spring to reduce the probability of a leak in the event of an accident. The internal-style valve also reduces the overall installed weight and does not require skid protection. A larger port opening enables faster unloading.

Midland's Bottom Outlet Ball Valves feature DuraSteel valve seats and PTFE valve seals. The DuraSteel ball-valve seats offer greater resistance to abrasion, reducing the chance of leakage caused by particle contamination, in addition to lower seat expansion, better conformity to body expansion, and higher dimensional stability and improved sealing in low and high temperatures--all of which lead to increased service life. Midland Ball Valves are also manufactured using durable stainless-steel or carbon-steel construction, which is ideal for survival in ethanol-transport applications and other harsh work conditions.

Contact your local Midland representative, or Vice President of Sales & Marketing Kevin Cook at (847) 677-0333, or go to www.midlandmfg.net.