BASIC COURSE IN OIL AND

CHEMICAL TANKER
CARGO OPERATION
Afternoon session
1. Basic Chemistry, Chemical Elements and groups
2. Physical properties of Oil and chemicals carried in bulk
3. Health Hazards
Periodic Table
Chemical structures

Methane molecule CH4

Schematic representation of hydrocarbon molecules

Gases Liquid Solids
• Methane CH4 • Butane C4H10 • Nonadecane
• Ethane C2H6 • Pentane C5H12 C19H40
• Propane C3H8 • Hexane C6H14
• Heptane C7H16
• Octane C8H18
• Nonane C9H20
• Deacon C10H22
Fraction
Distillatio
n of Crude
oil
Molecular
structure
Chemical Reaction
1. C+O2 → CO2+ heat
2. 2H2+O2→ 2H2O +Heat
3. Ch4 + 2O2 → CO2+ 2H2O
Properties of Oil and Chemical
❑Hydrocarbon- an organic compound consisting exclusively of elements of carbon
and hydrogen. Derived principally from petroleum, coal tar and vegetable sources.
❑Petroleum- is made from hydrogen and carbon molecules.

❑Fractional Distillation- process carried on crude oil

Key definitions
• states of aggregation for matters
• Solid- incompressible, fixed shape, measured in kg
• Liquid – incompressible, shapes according to vessel, measured in litre
• Gas- compressible, measured in volume
• Plasma-energy added to gas- critical electrons become free- conductor of eletron

• liquid density- how heavy a liquid is for the amount measured. Light density liquid floats on water (Kg/m3),
water- 1000Kg/m3
• vapour density- density of vapour with respect to that of hydrogen
• vapour pressure- measure of tendency of material to change in vapour or gaseous state.
• Boiling point- The temperature at which the vapour pressure at the surface of a liquid becomes equal to the
pressure exerted by the surroundings is called the boiling point of the liquid
• viscosity- resistance of material to change in shape or movement of neibourhood portion relative to one
another
• pour-point- lowest temperature at which liquid can be poured
Physical Properties
• Fire
• How fire burns
• Fire tetrahedron
• Atmospheric gas contents- oxygen 20.8%, nitrogen 78, 1% others
• Fire subsidize below 15%
• Heat Temperature (3 stages)
• Flash Point- Lowest Temperature at which liquid gives off sufficient vapours to create a flash
on introducing flame in test vessel.
• Fire Point- Minimum temperature at which sufficient vapors releases from liquid to keep
continuous burning on introduction of flash/spark
• Ignition point (Auto Ignition point)- minimum temperature at which sufficient vapors released
by fuel so that it ignites automatically without introducing flash/spark

• Flammability- ability of hydrocarbon to react with oxygen to produce oxygen and water
vapors. Reaction produces sufficient heat – produces visible flame- travel through
mixture (hydrocarbon and air)
• Flammability Limit- Entire range of a flammable vapors/ gases in air (Volume %age)
over which the a flame will occur/ travel if ignited.
Flammability diagram
Flammability limits of different fuels
Upper and Lower Flammability
Ignition and flash point
Limits Fuel Flash point Auto Ignition Flammabilit
Substanc LFL in % UFL in % Vapor ( C Temp) Temp y Limit
e by by Pressure Temp
volume of volume of at 37 ̊C
air air (Kpa)
Ethanol 12.8 365 12 to 42
Diesel 0.6 7.5 0.3
Gasolin <-40 246 -40 to 18
Ethanol 3-3.3 19 17 e
Gasoline 1.4 7.6 65 Diesel >62 210 64 to 150
(100%
Octane) Jet Fuel >38 for A 210 32 to 81 –A
A&B <-23 for B -23 to 10 B
Health Hazards
Health hazards in percentage of exposure to oil and chemicals