T2 is the IMDG Code Chapter 6.7 portable tank instruction at 1.5 bar test pressure with bottom outlet permitted only for solids and a normal pressure-relief valve. The “solids only” bottom-outlet rule signals the tank is dedicated to dry-bulk or low-pressure solid cargo rather than liquid. Cargo population: certain Class 9 solid materials, non-hazardous bulk powders, granules, and pellets that ship in pneumatic-discharge silo tanks.
What T2 is built for
In commercial practice T2 is the IMDG plate that overlaps with the powder / silo fleet (the dedicated “/iso-tanks/powder-silo-tank” build). The cargoes are non-hazardous bulk solids rather than DG materials; the IMDG plate exists primarily to satisfy the portable-tank certification regime even where the cargo is non-DG. Class 9 miscellaneous solid materials (UN 3077 environmentally hazardous substances solid, UN 3175 solids containing flammable liquids n.o.s.) may also ride T2 builds in some operations.
Construction and materials
T2 builds split into two routes. Route one is the standard 316L stainless or aluminium 5083 cylinder built to T1-equivalent specs (1.5 bar test, low-pressure normal PRV). Route two is a pneumatic-discharge silo tank with conical bottom, aeration pads, and a 4-inch discharge hose for cement, fly-ash, plastic pellets, flour, sugar, milk powder, animal feed, and similar dry-bulk cargo. The silo build pressurises to 2 bar via an air compressor at the discharge point, fluidises the product through air pads in the conical bottom, and conveys it via hose to the receiving silo.
When T2 is the right choice
T2 is the right tank when IMDG DGL Column 13 specifies T2 (for solid Class 9 cargoes) or when the operator runs a dedicated dry-bulk silo fleet under T2 certification. Bertschi’s silo division, Hoyer’s dry-bulk fleet, and Den Hartogh’s polymer-pellet operation are the major operators in this niche.
When T2 is the wrong choice
T2 is the wrong tank for any liquid cargo. The 1.5 bar test pressure is too low for most DG liquids, and the solids-only bottom outlet is operationally wrong for liquid handling. For liquid food cargo pick T1; for liquid chemicals pick T11.