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The article mentions that a car in the main derailment incident contained molten sulfur, which apparently exists a temperature slightly above boiling water. I

The article mentions that a car in the main derailment incident contained molten sulfur, which apparently exists a temperature slightly above boiling water. I reviewed the Wikipedia page searching in vain to find some reason why it is shipped in its molten state (not to mention how the temperature is maintained while the train is in motion). Any clues?

brianwawok 4y ago
Tis an interesting Google hole > Large quantities of molten sulphur are transported by rail. An insulated sulphur railcar loaded with 40 to 70 tonnes of sulphur at 135oC (275oF) will stay molten for 10 to 14 days even in cold climatic conditions. This is possible because of the solidification of a small amount of sulphur on the inner wall of the tank that effectively insulates the remainder of the tank contents. When the tank car arrives at the customer, the car is heated using steam to melt the small amount of solid sulphur on the inner walls before the tank car is unloaded. http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/techmanual/storage/trans_sulphur.htm http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/techmanual/storage/trans_sulph...
- iggldiggl 4y ago
  Even molten iron is sometimes shipped around, though obviously that won't keep liquid for quite as long. Most commonly this only happens as internal works traffic, but sometimes rationalisation and works closures might leave producers and consumers somewhat separated, in which case that kind of traffic might traverse the public railway network, too. E.g. since the closure of the Völklingen Ironworks (now a World Heritage Site), the neighbouring steelworks have been supplied form the remaining ironworks at Dillingen, approximatively 20 kilometres away. The liquid iron is carried via the regular railway line connecting the two towns.
Symbiote 4y ago
A liquid, even if hot, is much easier to handle (pipes) than a powder.

brianwawok 4y ago

Tis an interesting Google hole > Large quantities of molten sulphur are transported by rail. An insulated sulphur railcar loaded with 40 to 70 tonnes of sulphur at 135oC (275oF) will stay molten for 10 to 14 days even in cold climatic conditions. This is possible because of the solidification of a small amount of sulphur on the inner wall of the tank that effectively insulates the remainder of the tank contents. When the tank car arrives at the customer, the car is heated using steam to melt the small amount of solid sulphur on the inner walls before the tank car is unloaded. http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/techmanual/storage/trans_sulphur.htm http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/techmanual/storage/trans_sulph...

iggldiggl 4y ago
Even molten iron is sometimes shipped around, though obviously that won't keep liquid for quite as long. Most commonly this only happens as internal works traffic, but sometimes rationalisation and works closures might leave producers and consumers somewhat separated, in which case that kind of traffic might traverse the public railway network, too. E.g. since the closure of the Völklingen Ironworks (now a World Heritage Site), the neighbouring steelworks have been supplied form the remaining ironworks at Dillingen, approximatively 20 kilometres away. The liquid iron is carried via the regular railway line connecting the two towns.

Symbiote 4y ago

A liquid, even if hot, is much easier to handle (pipes) than a powder.