For companies that are transporting or storing liquid products, spill troughs offer clear cost benefit compared with permanently installed safety equipment either temporarily or in an emergency, according to TWS. The tank-rental company recently shipped a spill trough to the US for the first time and will be introducing it to interested customers.

The custom-made, stainless-steel mobile spill trough is designed for all common container sizes. It can be used in industrial settings for temporary storage as well as at transshipment terminals or production sites. Handling is easy if a few things are observed:

• The ground where the tank container and the spill trough are to be stored must be level, even and suitable for supporting the total weight of a fully loaded container and the spill trough.
• The necessary approvals of the authorities involved must be obtained.
• Corrosive liquids and dangerous goods can be stored if the approvals for the tank container and the spill trough are identical and conform to the quality of the stainless steel of both units.

Storage with the restriction of "explosion protection" is not allowed. The products have to be resistant to stainless steel according to the approvals. The specific gravity of any product carried is restricted to 1.2 per kg/m³.

Before starting, the spill trough must be clean and free of pollutants or rainwater. The tank container must be placed inside the spill trough in line with the front corner castings. The spill trough with the tank container inside must be checked every day for spillage or rainwater. In case the spill trough is filled with product or rainwater, the liquid can be pumped with the dip tube of the spill trough. The container may be heated according to some special requirements.

A chassis with 20-foot twist locks can transport the spill trough. A variable spreader can lift it. It is not permitted to move the spill trough with the 20-foot tank container on the road, as it does not have approval for transportation under Department of Transportation, International Maritime Dangerous Goods or European regulations.

Watch a video showing the handling of the spill troug!