A Complete Guide For Transporting Carbon Dioxide

At Suttons, we are experts in gas transportation logistics and one of the gases we most frequently transport is carbon dioxide (CO2). 

Carbon dioxide is crucial to human survival, so its safe and efficient transportation is essential to daily life. With over 100 years of experience, Suttons is at the forefront of gas logistics, and through careful planning, we successfully transport carbon dioxide across the UK. 

What is Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a colourless and odourless gas that naturally occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is crucial to the function of the human body and can be produced through natural processes such as respiration, decomposition, and photosynthesis. 

As a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and ensures the sustainability of life.

Carbon dioxide is made up of carbon and oxygen and is crucial to a number of natural processes. Without carbon dioxide, the world would be unable to function, so the efficient and safe delivery of the gas is essential.tiny

How Carbon Dioxide is Used

Carbon dioxide is incredibly versatile, which means it is used throughout every industry, but some industries depend on it more than others. 

Manufacturing

Carbon dioxide is used extensively in manufacturing, as a shielding gas, and in welding. It is also essential in the production of vehicles and metal structures. 

Carbon dioxide is used as a foaming agent to produce polymer foams, which are then used for insulation and packaging.

Construction

Carbon curing is an essential process in manufacturing and is used to cure concrete. Concrete is a vital construction material; carbon dioxide is necessary for quick production. 

Carbon dioxide is also used to treat materials and control their pH levels, which enhances the durability of construction materials and heightens the industry’s sustainability. 

Healthcare

Carbon dioxide is used for respiratory treatments and can be mixed with oxygen to create a carbogen gas. This gas stimulates breathing during surgery or for people with respiratory failure.

Carbon dioxide is also used in minimally invasive surgeries to inflate body cavities, making the procedures easier for surgeons. It is also essential for sterilising medical equipment and effectively killing bacteria.

Other uses include:

• Fire extinguishers.
• Beverages. 
• Oil recovery. 

Specialised Conditions for Carbon Dioxide Transportation

Carbon dioxide tends to be transported in its liquid state. Specialised conditions are required to ensure the stability of the liquid during transportation. 

Low temperatures are essential for transporting carbon dioxide as a liquid, and it should be transported at no more than -20°C; at Suttons, our tanks are insulated to maintain this temperature. 

ADR Regulations

ADR regulations are a set of guidelines developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Any company transporting hazardous goods must comply with them.

Carbon dioxide is classified as a class 2 dangerous good gas covered by the Agreement Concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).

These regulations apply to the transportation process, but they also impact classification, labelling, and packaging. 

Critical aspects of ADR that apply to transporting carbon dioxide include:

• Classification: Companies must classify substances and articles based on their inherent hazards.
• Documentation: Proper documentation must accompany all hazardous materials during road transportation.
• Packaging:  Safe containment is essential when transporting a hazardous good, such as carbon dioxide, so packing must meet the ADR’s requirements before transporting goods. If carbon dioxide were to leak, this could cause our drivers to experience dizziness and sickness, so safe packing is essential.
• Marking and Labelling: Labels and markings on the goods’ packaging and the tanker truck itself must identify the nature of the goods and indicate whether they are hazardous.
• Appropriate Driver Training: Before a driver can transport hazardous materials, they must have suitable credentials, such as the ADR Vocational Training Certificate (VTC).
• Vehicle Exigencies: All transport vehicles must comply with specified standards, including the use of appropriate equipment and markings.

The Process of Transporting Carbon Dioxide

Because we transport carbon dioxide in a liquified state, it must undergo a compression and cooling process before it can be transported. 

Compression

High-pressure compression is essential for the transportation of carbon dioxide. Since it will return to a gas if it reaches atmospheric pressure, it is essential to compress it to a high pressure of around 150-200 bar. 

Cooling

Once again, maintaining carbon dioxide’s liquid state is essential for the transportation process, which is why we cool it to temperatures between -20°C and -30°C.

Suttons Specialised Tankers

At Suttons, we have a fleet of specialised tanker trucks that we use to transport gases and fuels throughout the UK. As hauliers, we aim to make every delivery with the utmost efficiency while also ensuring the safety of our drivers and the general public. 

Not only do we have to think about the safety of our drivers, but due to the specialised conditions required to transport carbon dioxide, we can also protect the general public by taking additional safety precautions with our tankers. 

Route Planning

When transporting any gas, we first carry out extensive route planning to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the product. Carbon dioxide is in high demand, so it requires prompt delivery.

When planning any route, we focus on minimising risks and ensuring the safety of all involved parties. To guarantee the safest transportation possible, we avoid densely populated areas to reduce risk. 

We understand that life can be unpredictable and obstacles such as roadworks or road accidents can arise. That’s why we always have a plan B and are ready to reroute at a moment’s notice while still providing quality service. 

We care about our drivers, so we schedule service stops in their journey. This allows the drivers to be well-rested and carry out their duties safely. Our advanced communication systems enable drivers to stay in touch with the central operations team in an emergency. 

Loading Carbon Dioxide 

We have a bespoke loading process for each gas we transport to ensure the retention of the product’s quality and the safety of our workers. 

Because loading carbon dioxide poses a toxic and asphyxiation hazard, all of our drivers follow strict instructions when loading and unloading the product. 

Inspection

Before any carbon dioxide is loaded into the tankers, our drivers first complete a full tanker inspection. This is to ensure that everything is safe and ready to use. 

The first aspect of the inspection is to determine whether or not there is a risk of cross-contamination from previous gases. If a risk is identified, the tanker is then deep-cleaned. 

During this process, all health and safety steps must be followed, which includes all of our operators wearing the necessary PPE, which includes:

• Face shields.
• Goggles.
• Gloves.
• Protective clothing.

Once it has been established that the tank is safe to use and the necessary paperwork has been verified, the loading process can then begin. 

Connection and Loading

The connection and loading procedure is highly regulated, ensuring the safety of all involved workers. Managing the temperature and pressure of carbon dioxide is an important part of transportation. 

At Suttons, we connect a specialised loading hose between the tank storing the carbon dioxide and the transportation tank. The hoses are designed to handle the high pressures required to maintain the carbon dioxide’s liquid state. 

The connection of the hose is then checked to confirm that it is secure; once this is determined safe, loading can begin.

The Pump System

When transporting a liquified gas, we use a cryogenic liquid pump, which is designed to handle the extreme conditions required to maintain the carbon dioxide in liquid form. 

The pump system is also essential for equalising the pressure between the storage tank and transport tank to reduce the risk of potential pressure spikes. 

Paperwork and Safety Checks

When our drivers arrive at the delivery destination, they ensure the customer has the correct paperwork and verify the documentation. Once our drivers have verified the documentation, they complete the necessary safety checks of the tanker to ensure there have been no leaks during transit. 

Once it is established that there are no issues, the cryogenic pumps and secure couplings are then used to transfer the carbon dioxide into the new storage tanker. 

Unloading Carbon Dioxide

Before any unloading is carried out, the hoses are once again checked to ensure there are no leaks or gaps in the house. When it is time to unload the carbon dioxide, the pump system is reversed to transfer the liquid to its new storage tanker safely. 

While the pressurised pumps transfer the carbon dioxide into the new tanker, our drivers will monitor the process to ensure that it runs smoothly. 

Once the transfer is complete, the operator checks the tank for leaks or residual carbon dioxide. The tanker then undergoes deep cleaning and is prepared for the next use. 

Environmental Concerns When Transporting Carbon Dioxide

When transporting any gas, there are always associated environmental risks that we have to take into consideration, including:

• Ground contamination. 
• Eutrophication (accelerated algal bloom)
• Vapour release impacts air quality. 
• Major leaks.
• Fire hazards.

Though unlikely, when transporting carbon dioxide, we have to consider the possible health risks to the general public. Leaks can lead to breathing issues for our drivers and the general public, which is why we depend so heavily on our leak detection systems. 

Because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, we also try to minimise emissions during the transfer process to reduce the environmental impact. 

All of these risks could have a detrimental effect on the environment if they were to happen, so at Suttons, we make time for additional safety measures.

Transporting Carbon Dioxide With Suttons

Through this blog, we hope we have clarified the importance of safety and well-thought-out logistics in our transportation process. 

If you would like to know more about our carbon dioxide transportation process or you would like to engage our services, contact our dedicated team today.