The Cryo Hauler Thread

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by Cali kid, Mar 16, 2023.

  1. Cali kid

    Cali kid Road Train Member

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    DC653EFC-5370-4755-A5E2-576F00E8FDF1.jpeg 3AA15A91-6F6F-43B5-9CB4-49BE88E5001E.jpeg CEAABC2B-07AF-48E1-8B48-15C3591A52AE.jpeg EDB9B7E7-3291-41C0-9FDA-2A335C307B8B.jpeg Well Haven’t been on the forums in a few years so I thought I’d start a new thread like my old one. “The Fuel Hauler Thread.” I have over five years hauling, delivering, and loading cryogenic and compressed gases. They include Liquid Nitrogen(LIN), Liquid Oxygen(LOX),Argon(LAR), Liquid Hydrogen(LHY) and Compressed Hydrogen(BHY). I’ve also worked for the two major manufacturers of these products AirProducts and Airgas. Any questions ask away!
     
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  3. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Ok...thnx! :)

    Of the two companies you mentioned above....which do you prefer (duuhhh)....and specify why?

    -- Lual
     
  4. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Also -- hydrogen is rather dangerous, dicey stuff. :confused: :eek:

    How much cryo experience do you recommend...before even coming near that stuff?

    -- Lual
     
  5. Cali kid

    Cali kid Road Train Member

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    The two listed are very similar, I’d say AirProducts was fantastic for those who want to learn multiple products lines and stay busy.
    I prefer Airgas mostly do to management especially my current boss.
     
  6. Cali kid

    Cali kid Road Train Member

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    Yea hydrogen is dangerous and comes with its own very unique characteristics. LOX is also very dangerous in more of a sneaky way.
    I would want a driver to have at least a year min, of cryo without incidents before getting involved in LHY or BHY.
     
  7. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Ok....time for a "what if" question.....

    Let's say you wanted to get in the cryo world (you have previous sufficient experience, elsewhere) -- but you aren't anywhere near a facility/terminal for any of the major producers.

    With that said...based on what you've seen/experienced in the cryo world -- which of the following would you be most inclined to try to sign up with, instead (and why):
    • Genox West
    • LGT Transport
    • KAG's Merchant Gas Group
    • Sapphire Gas Solutions
    • somebody else?
    -- Lual
     
  8. Cali kid

    Cali kid Road Train Member

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    That’s a tuff call I’d say stay away from common carriers if you can just because they can have work change drastically depending on what the Airgas/AirProducts/ Linde etc are doing.
    With that being said I’d say depends on your location and what carriers service it and what product lines they service.
    I’d say a driver in that location would be able to tell you if not find you a local plant and do some recon.
     
  9. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    Cool beans.

    I'm at Linde in St Paul for last 13 yrs.
    Union shop on last year of contract.
    It's a good size plant but don't produce CO2 or hydrogen. We run 24/7/365
    We're currently at 32 drivers but they want 36+ and it's a struggle to get and retain qualified drivers.
    We service about 400+ accounts in 9 midwest states and will cover for Chicago and KC, and occasionally Colorado.
    It's pretty chill as far as running what you prefer. We've got a good driver manager.
    Some want local 8 to 10 a day. Others want 12 to 14 w longer trips.
    We have 2 otr drivers who run 5 and are off 2 each week. Otherwise everyone is home daily.
    I do 1 or 2 layovers a week and max my hours to around 65 average weekly.
    About $140K this yr.
    We do enjoy:( the winter challenges for 5 months a year but most just mark off in snowy conditions. They don't take poor decisions lightly and you will be canned for an accident.
    After 49 winters here I just roll no matter the weather.
    Maintenance is a challenge.
    Trying to keep rigs up and legal is not easy as everyone is facing the same.

    The one thing I would recommend to newer driver thinking of entering the cryo field with a producer is to do your homework on the financials of your chosen company.
    I'll retire next year and have been investing in company stock for 10 years.
    15% of my pay and has returned over 4000%
    After my OTR wanderlust I looked at what would provide for my future best while still doing what I love..driving, and cryo was my choice.
    Funny thing this truck drivin thing..
    I still enjoy driving every day. 20230312_145224.jpg
     
  10. Cali kid

    Cali kid Road Train Member

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    Your terminal runs a lot like the one I left at AirProducts. We were around 35+ drivers out of Santa Fe Springs CA, biggest on the west coast running LIN,LOX,LAR. Then with this green movement hydrogen really started to take off we ran most of that out of what use to be the biggest helium terminal in the states in Long Beach. Problem is most plants for Hydrogen on the west coast can’t keep up with the demand especially since the introduction of fuel cell vehicles here in California. So now I’m working for a brand new division under the Airliquid/Airgas umbrella strictly formed to handle this demand. We have a brand new plant built in Nevada just for this demand, so literally the tip of the spear right now which can be good and bad.
     
  11. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    We are building a huge hydrogen plant in Niagra Falls. Going online in 2025 and a new plant piggybacking a lng plant in Texas.
    I agree hydrogen has a big future.
     
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