Liquid Aluminium Transportation

How far is the aluminum to be shipped (or how much time does it take)? If short distance/time, a Dewar-type tank might work. Otherwise, there will need to be supplementary heat.

The total transportation time is two hours

What is the weight of the shipment?

How frequent are the shipments?

Shipment weight is 10 to 12 tons In 4 trips per day within 10 hours

A purpose-designed rail vehicle is what is needed. Given the distance and the loading/unloading times, several vehicles will be needed together with a guaranteed timetabled path between the loading and unloading points.

It's time now to discuss the prospect with the local rail freight company's sales representative.

"...together with a guaranteed timetabled path..."

Indeed. What is the consequence of the anticipated two hour trip taking twelve hours due to any of a thousand unforseen cirmumstances?

What are the areas through which this aluminum will travel... Seaport, industrial, uninhabited/undeveloped, agricultural, scenic wildlife refuge... what are the consequences of a container compromise in any of these areas?

Steel billets are routinely transported by rail from furnace to customer, and many are still hot as they leave the billet factory on their purpose-built rail wagons.

Why can't the prospective customer re-melt from a solid aluminium billet?

One major problem is going to be heat loss two hours is a long time for such a small quantity. Having spent a considerable time in the iron industry I know from experience the cost of preheating transfer ladles is crippling. If they are only going to be used for 10 out of 24 hours it needs to be taken in to account.

Are you looking to transport the molten metal on the public rail system? Have you looked in what regulations will apply? We transported metal on our private rail system, we were tied up by regulations.