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Table of Contents
Solas Requirements
Partial and Complete Failure
Monitoring and Testing Cargo Tank Atmospheres
Optimum Oxygen Content
Planning Inert Gas Operations
Tank Pressure / Vacuum
The Mast Riser and Pressure / Vacuum Breaker
Multi-Grade Cargoes
Tank Cleaning, Purging and Gas Freeing
Tank Entry
Pre-Operation Checks
Operation of The Inert Gas System
Inert Gas Delivery to Deck
Stopping the Inert Gas System
Although inert gas equipment operation is an integral part of several different cargo operations,
certain fundamental operational guidelines apply in all cases. Inert gas provides a blanket of safety
in the ullage spaces in cargo tanks over the liquid cargo, reducing the oxygen content to such a
level where the fire triangle is broken and ignition and combustion of the highly combustible
petroleum vapours are prevented.
Solas Requirements
In order for this to be effective, the equipment must be capable of providing inert gas with an oxygen
content of 5% or less by volume, and maintaining the atmosphere within the cargo tanks below an
oxygen content of 8%. These are the industry SOLAS standards for inert gas production and cargo
tank oxygen levels. It is generally accepted that within an atmosphere of less than 12% oxygen
content, then ignition and combustion cannot take place. The maximum level of 8% therefore allows
an additional margin of safety on this figure.
Graphic: Inert Gas System
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normally have a mechanism to maintain them in the open or shut position. The valve mechanism
should be well maintained and if a key type mechanism is fitted, the key should always be available.
Wrongly set valves can result in excessive pressure or vacuum levels within the cargo tank(s),
cargo contaminations, or serious risk to personnel engaged in tank entry duties.
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Multi-Grade Cargoes
When loading multi-grade cargoes, the possibility of gas contamination between cargoes must be
considered and precautions taken to prevent the loss of hydro-carbon gases from cargoes already
loaded whilst loading subsequent grades.
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Tank Entry
Tank entry should never be attempted until all operations of tank cleaning, purging, and gas freeing
have been completed. The introduction of hydrocarbon gases or inert gas into gas free tanks would
endanger the lives of any personnel who may have made entry into a tank. When tanks are gasfreed for entry it is essential that they are isolated from all sources of ingress of inert and
hydrocarbon gases. All inert gas valves must be fully shut and checked tight against this danger,
including all tanks which have not been gas freed. Where spectacle, spade, or other blanks are
provided, these must be fitted.
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Pre-Operation Checks
When first starting the inert gas system, for whatever reason, a standard series of checks and steps
must be made, including the above mentioned requirements of correctly setting the deck line valves.
The water level and flow to the deck seal, and the water level in the P/V breaker should be checked.
The scrubber pump should be started and the water pressure and flow confirmed as being correct.
The system is designed for normal operation in a fully automatic mode once started, however, there
are certain manual valves, which must be set and checked. These include the I.G. fan/blower inlet
valves and the fresh air suction isolating valve.
When the oxygen analyzer has been set and calibrated, and all checks completed as per Company
checklist, the system can be started. Setting and calibration of the oxygen analyzer is normally
carried out by the engineering staff, but it is necessary that the person in charge is also aware and
capable of carrying out this routine. This procedure takes time and sufficient notice must be given to
the engineering staff to prepare the boiler for inert gas production, setting, and calibrating the
oxygen analyzer. They also must ensure that the scrubber pump has been running for a sufficient
period before the inert gas system is started and brought on line.
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Graphics:
Inerting / Purging.
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