Tank truck
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A tank truck (United States usage) or tanker lorry (United Kingdom usage) is a motor vehicle designed to carry liquefied loads, dry bulk cargo or gasses on roads. The largest such vehicles are similar to railroad tank cars which are also designed to carry liquefied loads. Many variants exist due to the wide variety of liquids that can be transported. Tank trucks tend to be large; they may be insulated or non-insulated; pressurized or non-pressurized; and designed for single or multiple loads (often by means of internal divisions in their tank). Some are semi-trailer trucks.
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[edit] Size, weight and volume
Tank trucks are referenced by their size or volume capacity. Large trucks typically have capacities ranging from 4000 gallons (15,142 litres) to 9000 gallons (34,069 litres).
A tank truck is distinguished by its shape, usually a cylindrical tank upon the vehicle lying horizontally. Some other less visible distinctions amongst tank trucks are their intended use: compliance with human food regulations, refrigeration capability, acid resistance, pressurization capability, and others.
[edit] Common small tank trucks
Smaller tank trucks, with a capacity of less than 3,000 US gal (11,356 litres) are typically used to deal with light liquid cargo within a local community. A common example is a septic service truck (also known as a bowser) used to vacuum clean several septic tanks and then deliver the septic material to a collection site. These tank trucks typically have a maximum capacity of 3,000 gallons (11,356 litres). They are equipped with a pumping system to serve their particular need.
Another common use is to deliver fuel such as Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to households. These trucks usually carry about 1,000 gal (3,785 litres) of LPG under pressure.
[edit] In popular culture
Tanker trucks have been used in several James Bond films during action scenes, in License to Kill (1989) and most notably in Casino Royale 2006 where a tanker with a terrorist driver is driven wildly around Miami Airport airfield.
[edit] See also
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