Kelso Technologies Inc reports that it has completed the commercial design and internal testing of its new bottom outlet valve. Kelso has submitted the final required application information to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) for service trial testing and the eventual commercial approval.
The bottom outlet valve involves detailed proprietary and engineering knowledge based on specific regulatory and customer specifications. The new design features several materials and mechanical engineering innovations that are intended to lead to a "best available safety technology" ranking for the valve when it is AAR-approved and released for commercial service use. The valve addresses the persistent problems of ball corrosion and operating damage by using a high-performance ceramic material for the ball.
The bottom outlet valve is designed to meet the latest Federal Railroad Administration regulations requiring the removal of the operating handle during transit. The valve will fit all existing DOT 111 and CPC 1232 tank cars and the new DOT 117 cars that will be the new standard for shipment of crude oil, ethanol, and other hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals.