29 August 2006

Midland Bottom Outlet Plug Valves Outperform Ball Valves For Use With Ethanol

Skokie, IL In a study recently completed by Midland Manufacturing, the global leader in railroad tank car safety valves and equipment, it was determined that its A-548-TEV Bottom Outlet Plug Valve outperformed other types of bottom outlet valves in rail cars for the purpose of transporting ethanol. The test compared the performance of Midland's A-548 Bottom Outlet Plug Valve and its A-522 Bottom Outlet Ball Valves. Both types of valves were tested with different seal materials and at various temperatures over a specific number of cycles to determine which valve is best suited to handle ethanol.

As is the case with all liquid fuels, it is important that proper fuel handling techniques be practiced to prevent contamination or loss of product. Due to its affinity to water, ethanol cannot be shipped via multi-product pipeline therefore rail cars are the primary transport choice for this growing product. Ethanol is more susceptible to contamination than other fuel products. Some seal materials degrade in the presence of ethanol, making seal selection critical for performance. All valves included in the study were cycle tested with ethanol to replicate more than 12 years of service, between -40��F to 125��F and at different pressures in order to determine which valve and seal combination will not only adequately handle ethanol, but also reduce the possibility of non-accidental releases from the rail car during transit.

Midland's A-548-TEV Bottom Outlet Plug Valves with PFA encapsulated O-ring seals demonstrated excellent performance in all tests and are approved by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) for use in the rail car transportation of ethanol. A copy of the complete test results and white paper can be downloaded from the Midland web site (http://www.midlandmfg.net/news.asp).

For more information on the Bottom Outlet Plug Valves, or any other ethanol-compatible product from Midland Manufacturing, please contact your local representative or Kevin Cook, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at (847) 677-0333.

Midland specializes in products used on pressure and general purpose rail tank cars, chemical cargo tanks and ISO containers for the safe handling of toxic materials, chemicals, and food products: bottom and top loading/unloading valves, pressure relief valves, level gauge devices, and monitoring equipment. Midland is part of The OPW Fluid Transfer Group, that specializes in the safe handling and transfer of hazardous liquids and dry bulk commodities in critical applications such as gasoline, diesel, ethanol, chlorine, chlor-alkali products, LPG, acids, cement, flour and starch, among others. For more information visit www.midlandmfg.net or call Diana Maras at (847) 677-0333.

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