Nautical Term: Expansion trunk
Definition of Expansion trunk
An expansion trunk is a raised compartment installed around an opening in the top of a liquid cargo tank. This enclosure enables the cargo to expand due to heating, preventing potential damage to the tank or its contents.
For example, consider a large oil tanker transporting crude oil from the Middle East to Europe. The oil cargo is susceptible to thermal expansion as the temperature rises during the voyage. To mitigate this issue, the tanker’s cargo tanks are equipped with expansion trunks that provide enough space for the oil to expand without causing harm to the tank or the crew.
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