# Polar Service Centers — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **operation:** document - **citation:** 98-0217 - **title:** Polar Service Centers — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **source type:** guidance - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** guidance - **official:** true - **published on:** 1998-09-04 - **effective on:** Not available - **summary:** 98-0217 response to Polar Service Centers concerning 172.102. - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0217.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0217.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0217 - **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980217.pdf **body:** <<>> - • U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 SEP - 4 1998 Mr. Mark Hughes Polar Service Centers Reference No. 98-0217 120 Cedar Spring Road Spartanburg, SC 29302 Dear Mr. Hughes: This is in response to your letter of July 30, 1998, regarding a suitable corrosion allowance for sulfuric acid in MC 307 cargo tanks under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171- 180). Specifically, you ask whether an MC 307 cargo tank, with a minimum shell thickness of .172 inches and a shell diameter of 50 inches, has a suitable corrosion allowance for sulfuric acid in concentrations up to 65.25 percent. The answer is yes. An MC 307 cargo tank having a minimum sheil thickness of .172 inches and a shell diameter of 50 inches has a suitablé corrosion allowance for sulfuric acid or spent sulfuric acid in concentrations up to 65.25 percent as specified in Special Provision B84 (§ 172.102). I hope this answers your inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us. Sincerely, Delmer F. Billings Chief, Standards Development Office of Hazardous Materials Standards <<>> E7/31/1998 11:43 8645834365 PAGE 02/02 POLAR 98-0217 120 CEDAR SPRING ROAD TELEPHONE: 864573-0315 SPARTANGUAG, 3Ç 283DE GENVICE CENTERS TOLL FREE: 1-800-055-8556 TELEFAX: 854S83-4385 George § 172.101 (S) Dabe July 30,1998 Sulfuric Acid Director Office Hazardous Materials Standards US DOT/RSPA DHM-10 4007th Street, SW. Washington DC. 20590-0001 Subject - MC 307 for Sulfuric Acid service Dear Mr Edd Mazzullo After reviewing the above subject with one of your DOT specialist over the phone. I was told I conld request a written statement from your office regarding the subject. The specifications are as follows, MC 307 - 4700Gal trailer that has passed all inspections per section • 180.407, with a min. shell and head thicknass of 172 inches, shell dia is 50", ring spacing is 39", shel material is 316 SS. Irailer is to be used in sulfuric acid service of more than 51 percent acid. Atter reviewing Hazardous Materials tablé, Special Provisions and Packaging Authorizations it states that a NIC 307 with suitable corrosion allowance is approved for this service I refered to the material thiokness charts for MC 312 to verify suitable corrosion allowance due to the fact that the industry has always used MC 312 trailers to transport sulfuric acid and MC 307 does not show sufficient thickness. The volume capacity in gatlons per inch is in the less than 10 range and the product weight in pounds per gallon is in the 13 to 16 range therefore the minimum shell thickness stated in the table is 8 GA or decimal equivalent of .164 inches and a minimum in service thickness of .148 inches. Please advisc if the above subject unit is approved for sulfuric acid of more than 51%. If you require any further information please call mo at 1-800-955-8558 ext 4. Necding a response as quickly as possible thank you for your time. Sincerely Yours Mark Hughes BATON ROUGE. LA • HOUSTON, TX - MAFIETTA, OH - SPARTANBURG, 6C • STE. GENEVIEVE, MO • WEST CHESTEA, PA PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN OPOLE, MN. HOLDINBFORO, MN AND ERRINGFIELD, MO WITH SERVICE CENTERS IN - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 3206