Although no two Oleum Loading solutions will be identical, the product itself determines much of the critical design criteria that will ensure that optimum safety and productivity can work together in harmony.

What is Oleum? Oleum is a widely used industrial chemical utilized as an intermediate to produce numerous organic and inorganic chemicals. It is used as a basic chemical for sulfonation processes (i.e. chemically adding sulfate to an aromatic hydrocarbon compound) and in the manufacturing of nylon, the production of dyes, and hydrofluoric acid (HF) production. Other names for Oleum include fuming sulfuric acid, Oleum sulfuric acid, and fuming Oleum iodisum.

Oleum is a cloudy, gray, fuming, corrosive liquid with a sharp, penetrating odor. When oleum comes into contact with air following a spill, it releases Sulfur Trioxide also referred to as “fuming Sulfuric Acid”

In the United States, Oleum is a “tight-fill” (closed-loop) loading operation and is loaded into rail cars via chemical hoses or 3” stainless steel loading arms. Oleum, if not handled properly can cause serious injuries and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required. Additionally, because operators are on top of the vehicles during the loading process, robust, well-designed fall prevention is essential to ensure increased throughput, without compromising operator safety.