173.315—Compressed gases in cargo tanks and portable tanks.

(a) Liquefied compressed gases that are transported in UN portable tanks, DOT specification portable tanks, or cargo tanks must be prepared in accordance with this section, § 173.32, § 173.33 and subpart E or subpart G of part 180 of this subchapter, as applicable. For cryogenic liquid in cargo tanks, see § 173.318. For marking requirements for portable tanks and cargo tanks, see § 172.326 and § 172.328 of this subchapter, as applicable.
Kind of gas Maximum permitted filling density Specification container required
Percent by weight (see Note 1) Percent by volume (see par. (f) of this section) Type (see Note 2) Minimum design pressure (psig)
Ammonia, anhydrous or Ammonia solutions with greater than 50 percent ammonia (see Notes 14 and 17) 56 82, See Note 5 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Notes 12, 17 and 27 265; See Note 17.
Ammonia solutions with more than 35 percent but not more than 50 percent ammonia See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; see Note 12 100; See par. (c) of this section.
Bromotrifluoromethane (R-13B1 or H-1301); (See Note 9) 133 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 365.
Butadiene, stabilized See par. (b) of this section See par. (b) of this section DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 100.
Carbon dioxide, refrigerated liquid See par. (c)(1) of this section 95 ......do 200; see Note 3.
Chlorine 125 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 225; See Notes 4 and 8.
Chlorodifluoroethane (R-142b) (1-Chloro 1,1-difluoroethane); (See Note 9) 100 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 100.
Chlorodifluoromethane (R-22); (See Note 9) 105 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 250.
Chloropentafluoroethane (R-115); (See Note 9) See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 See par. (c) of this section.
Chlorotrifluoromethane (R-13); (See Note 9) See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 See par. (c) of this section.
Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12); (See Note 9) 119 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 150.
Difluoroethane (R-152a); (See Note 9) 79 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 150.
Dimethyl ether (see Note 16) 59 ......do ......do 200.
Dimethylamine, anhydrous 59 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 150.
Division 2.1, materials not specifically provided for in this table See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 See Note 18.
Division 2.2, materials not specifically provided for in this table See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 See Note 19.
Division 2.3, Hazard Zone A, materials not specifically provided for in this table See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 23 See Note 20.
Division 2.3, Hazard Zone B, materials not specifically provided for in this table See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 23 See Note 20.
Division 2.3, Hazard Zone C, materials not specifically provided for in this table See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 24 See Note 21.
Division 2.3, Hazard Zone D, materials not specifically provided for in this table See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 25 See Note 22.
Ethane, refrigerated liquid See par. (c) of this section MC-331, MC-338 100; see Note 11.
Ethane-propane mixture, refrigerated liquid See par. (c) of this section MC-331, MC-338 275; see Note 11.
Code of Federal Regulations 622
Hexafluoropropylene 110 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 250.
Hydrogen chloride, refrigerated liquid 103.0 See Note 7 MC-331, MC-338 100; see Note 11.
91.6 ......do ......do 300; see Note 11.
86.7 ......do ......do 450; see Note 11.
Liquefied petroleum gas (see Note 15) See par. (b) of this section See par. (b) of this section DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 26 See par. (c) of this section.
Methylacetylene-propadiene, stabilized (see Note 13) 53 90 DOT 51, MC 330, MC 331 200.
Methylamine, anhydrous 60 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331.
Methyl chloride 84 88.5 ......do 150.
Methyl chloride (optional portable tank 2,000 pounds water capacity, fusible plug) ......do See Note 6 DOT-51 225.
Methyl mercaptan 80 90 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 23 100.
Nitrous oxide, refrigerated liquid See par. (c)(1) of this section 95 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 200; See Note 3.
Refrigerant gas, n.o.s. or Dispersant gas, n.o.s. (See Note 9) See par. (c) of this section See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 See par. (c) of this section.
Sulfur dioxide (tanks not over 1,200 gallons water capacity) 125 87.5 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 24 150; See Note 4.
Sulfur dioxide (tanks over 1,200 gallons water capacity) 125 87.5 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331; See Note 24 125; See Note 4.
Sulfur dioxide (optional portable tank 1,000-2,000 pounds water capacity, fusible plug) 125 See Note 6 DOT-51; See Note 24 225.
Trimethylamine, anhydrous 57 See Note 7 DOT-51, MC-330, MC-331 150.
Vinyl chloride 84 (see Note 13) See Note 7 MC-330, MC-331 150.
Vinyl fluoride, stabilized 66 ......do ......do 250; see Note 11.
Vinyl methyl ether 68 See Notes 7 and 13 ......do 100.
Note 1: Maximum filling density for liquefied gases is hereby defined as the percent ratio of the weight of gas in the tank to the weight of water that the tank will hold. For determining the water capacity of the tank in pounds, the weight of a gallon (231 cubic inches) of water at 60 °F. in air shall be 8.32828 pounds.
Note 2: See § 173.32 for authority to use other portable tanks and for manifolding cargo tanks, see paragraph (q) of this section. Specifications MC 330 cargo tanks may be painted as specified for MC 331 cargo tanks.
Note 3: If cargo tanks and portable tank containers for carbon dioxide, refrigerated liquid, and nitrous oxide, refrigerated liquid, are designed to conform to the requirements in Section VIII of the ASME Code for low temperature operation (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter), the design pressure may be reduced to 100 psig or the controlled pressure, whichever is greater.
Note 4: Material must be steel. Packagings must have a corrosion allowance of 20 percent or 0.10 inch, whichever is less, added to the metal thickness. The minimum wall thickness for chlorine packagings is 0.300 inch for stainless steel or 0.625 inch for carbon steel, including corrosion allowance.
Note 5: Unlagged cargo tanks and portable tank containers for liquid anhydrous ammonia may be filled to 87.5 percent by volume provided the temperature of the anhydrous ammonia being loaded into such tanks is determined to be not lower than 30 °F. or provided the filling of such tanks is stopped at the first indication of frost or ice formation on the outside surface of the tank and is not resumed until such frost or ice has disappeared.
Note 6: Tanks equipped with fusible plugs must be filled by weight.
Note 7: Tanks must be filled by weight.
Note 8: Chlorine packagings may be shipped only if the contents are to be unloaded at one unloading point.
Note 9: This gas may be transported in authorized cargo tanks and portable tanks marked “dispersant gas,” or “refrigerant gas.
Note 10: [Reserved]
Note 11: MC-330, MC-331 and MC-338 cargo tanks must be insulated. Cargo tanks must meet all the following requirements. Each tank must have a design service temperature of minus 100 °F., or no warmer than the boiling point at one atmosphere of the hazardous material to be shipped therein, whichever is colder, and must conform to the low-temperature requirements in Section VIII of the ASME Code. When the normal travel time is 24 hours or less, the tank's holding time as loaded must be at least twice the normal travel time. When the normal travel time exceeds 24 hours, the tank's holding time as loaded must be at least 24 hours greater than the normal travel time. The holding time is the elapsed time from loading until venting occurs under equilibrium conditions. The cargo tank must have an outer jacket made of steel when the cargo tank is used to transport a flammable gas.
Note 12: No aluminum, copper, silver, zinc or an alloy of any of these metals shall be used in packaging construction where it comes into contact with the lading.
Note 13: All parts of valves and safety devices in contact with contents of tank must be of a metal or other material suitably treated if necessary, which will not cause formation of any acetylides.
Code of Federal Regulations 623
Note 14: Specifications MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks constructed of other than quenched and tempered steel “(NQT)” are authorized for all grades of anhydrous ammonia. Specifications MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks constructed of quenched and tempered steel “(QT)” (see marking requirements of § 172.328(c) of this subchapter) are authorized for anhydrous ammonia having a minimum water content of 0.2 percent by weight. Any tank being placed in anhydrous ammonia service or a tank which has been in other service or has been opened for inspection, test, or repair, must be cleaned of the previous product and must be purged of air before loading. See § 172.203(h) of this subchapter for special shipping paper requirements.
Note 15: Specifications MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks constructed of other than quenched and tempered steel (NQT) are authorized for all grades of liquefied petroleum gases. Only grades of liquefied petroleum gases determined to be “noncorrosive” are authorized in Specification MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks constructed of quenched and tempered steel (QT). “Noncorrosive” means the corrosiveness of the gas does not exceed the limitations for classification 1 of the ASTM Copper Strip Classifications when tested in accordance with ASTM D 1838, “Copper Strip Corrosion by Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases” (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter). (For (QT) and (NQT) marking requirements, see § 172.328(c) of this subchapter. For special shipping paper requirements, see § 172.203(h) of this subchapter.)
Note 16: Openings, inlets, and outlets on MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks must conform to § 178.337-8(a) of this subchapter. MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks must be equipped with emergency discharge control equipment as specified in § 178.337-11(a) of this subchapter.
Note 17: A Specification MC-330 or MC-331 cargo tank or a nonspecification cargo tank meeting, and marked in conformance with, the edition of the ASME Code in effect when it was fabricated, may be used for the transportation of anhydrous ammonia if it:
(1) Has a minimum design pressure not lower than 250 psig;
(2) Was manufactured in conformance with the ASME Code prior to January 1, 1981, according to its ASME name plate and manufacturer's data report;
(3) Is painted white or aluminum;
(4) Complies with Note 12 of this paragraph;
(5) Has been inspected and tested in accordance with subpart E of part 180 of this subchapter as specified for MC 331 cargo tanks.
(6) Was used to transport anhydrous ammonia prior to January 1, 1981;
(7) Is operated exclusively in intrastate commerce (including its operation by a motor carrier otherwise engaged in interstate commerce) in a state where its operation was permitted by the laws of that State (not including the incorporation of this subchapter) prior to January 1, 1981; and
(8) Is operated in conformance with all other requirements of this subchapter.
Note 18: The minimum packaging design pressure must not be less than the vapor pressure at the reference temperature of the lading plus one percent or 173.4 kPa (25 psig), whichever is less.
Note 19: The minimum packaging design pressure must not be less than the vapor pressure at the reference temperature of the lading.
Note 20: The minimum packaging design pressure must not be less than 1.5 times the vapor pressure of the lading at 46 °C (115 °F).
Note 21: The minimum packaging design pressure must not be less than 1.3 times the vapor pressure of the lading at 46 °C (115 °F).
Note 22: The minimum packaging design pressure must not be less than 1.1 times the vapor pressure of the lading at 46 °C (115 °F).
Note 23: Packagings must be made of stainless steel except that steel other than stainless steel may be used in accordance with the provisions of § 173.24b(b) of this part. Thickness of stainless steel for shell and heads must be the greater of 7.62 mm (0.300 inch) or the thickness required for the packaging at its minimum design pressure.
Note 24: Packagings must be made of stainless steel except that steel other than stainless steel may be used in accordance with the provisions of § 173.24b(b) of this part. Thickness of stainless steel for shell and heads must be the greater of 6.35 mm (0.250 inch) or the thickness required for the packaging at its minimum design pressure. For sulphur dioxide, this Note does not apply until October 1, 1994.
Note 25: Packagings must be made of stainless steel except that steel other than stainless steel may be used in accordance with the provisions of § 173.24b(b) of this part. Thickness for shell and heads must be as calculated for the packaging at its minimum design pressure.
Note 26: Non-specification cargo tanks may be used for the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas, subject to the conditions prescribed in paragraph (k) of this section.
Note 27: Non-specification cargo tanks may be used for transportation of Ammonia, anhydrous and ammonia solutions with greater than 50% ammonia, subject to the conditions prescribed in paragraph (m) of this section.
Maximum specific gravity of the liquid material at 60 °F. Maximum permitted filling density in percent of the water-weight capacity of the tanks (percent) See Note 1
1200 gallons or less Over 1200 gallons
0.473 to 0.480 38 41
0.481 to 0.488 39 42
0.489 to 0.495 40 43
0.496 to 0.503 41 44
0.504 to 0.510 42 45
0.511 to 0.519 43 46
0.520 to 0.527 44 47
0.528 to 0.536 45 48
0.537 to 0.544 46 49
0.545 to 0.552 47 50
0.553 to 0.560 48 51
0.561 to 0.568 49 52
0.569 to 0.576 50 53
0.577 to 0.584 51 54
0.585 to 0.592 52 55
0.593 to 0.600 53 56
0.601 to 0.608 54 57
0.609 to 0.617 55 58
0.618 to 0.626 56 59
0.627 and over 57 60
Note 1: Filling is permitted by volume provided the same filling density is used as permitted by weight, except when using fixed length dip tube or other fixed maximum liquid level indicators (paragraph (f) of this section), in which case the maximum permitted filling density shall not exceed 97 percent of the maximum permitted filling density by weight contained in the table.

Code of Federal Regulations

Note 1: The lower limits of combustibility of the more commonly used liquefied petroleum gases are: Propane, 2.15 percent; butane, 1.55 percent. These figures represent volumetric percentages of gas-air mixtures in each case.

Code of Federal Regulations

Note 2: The use of 1.0 pound of ethyl mercaptan, 1.0 pound of thiophane, or 1.4 pounds of amyl mercaptan per 10,000 gallons of liquefied petroleum gas shall be considered sufficient to meet the requirements of § 173.315(b)(1) . This note does not exclude the use of any other odorant in sufficient quantity to meet the requirements of § 173.315(b)(1) .

Kind of gas Gaging device permitted for filling purposes
Anhydrous ammonia Rotary tube; adjustable slip tube; fixed length dip tube.
Anhydrous dimethylamine None.
Anhydrous monomethylamine Do.
Anhydrous trimethylamine Do.
Aqua ammonia solution containing anhydrous ammonia Rotary tube; adjustable slip tube; fixed length dip tube.
Butadiene, stabilized Do.
Carbon dioxide, refrigerated liquid Do.
Chlorine None.
Dichlorodifluoromethane Do.
Difluoroethane Do.
Difluoromonochloroethane Do.
Dimethyl ether Do.
Ethane, refrigerated liquid Rotary tube; adjustable slip tube; fixed length dip tube.
Ethane-propane mixture, refrigerated liquid Do.
Hexafluoropropylene None.
Hydrogen chloride, refrigerated liquid Do.
Liquefied petroleum gases Rotary tube; adjustable slip tube; fixed length dip tube.
Methyl chloride Fixed length dip tube.
Methyl mercaptan Rotary tube; adjustable slip tube; fixed length dip tube.
Monochlorodifluoromethane None.
Nitrous oxide, refrigerated liquid Rotary tube; adjustable slip tube; fixed length dip tube.
Methylacetylenepropadiene, stabilized Do.
Refrigerant gas, n.o.s. or Dispersant gas, n.o.s None.
Sulfur dioxide Fixed length dip tube.
Vinyl chloride None.
Vinyl fluoride, inhibited Do.