HANDLING OF SODIUM-CHLORITE WITH PLASTICS - DEVELOPMENT OF A LINER FOR A RAIL CAR TANKER

The use of sodium chlorite (NaClO2) for drinking water treatment has b een increasing in the last several years. The performance of a variety of elastomers, fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP) composites, and o ther plastics during several months of exposure to a 37 wt% solution o f NaClO2 at 50 degrees C and 70 degrees C is described. Materials were tested using ASTM C 868 glass cell test, creating immersion, vapor, a nd cold-wall effects. Issues of the permeation and thermal loading bet ween the liner and steel surface were addressed. Laboratory studies re sulted in the development of an experimental rail car tanker with an i nternal FRP composite liner suitable for high-purity service.