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A Brief history…………………..
The common link was that all the three ships were
performing tank cleaning operations.
Keeping tanks inerted means cutting one side of the fire triangle and
hence avoiding any chances or Fire or Explosion.
Why do we need Inert Gas ?
An Oil Tanker carries petrolieum cargo, which give out flammable vapors .
In the absence of Inert gas, any source of ignition will cause the atmosphere
within a tank on the tanker to explode.
A Tanker with gas and oxygen inside the cargo
tank is like a Floating Bomb which can explode
with the slightest spark
= BOMB
Cargo
What happens if the Tanker Explodes ?
• Loss Of Life
• Loss of Ship
• Pollution
What is a Fire Triangle
It describes the three different factors required for ignition of a fire.
1. Air (Oxygen)
2. Heat (External Spark)
3. Fuel (Cargo)
In absence of any
one side of the
original Fire
Triangle, the risk of
a fire is non-
existent.
NO FIRE
Safe Ship
The Flammability diagram
8%
Inerted Condition
What is the percentage of oxygen required to sustain combustion ?
More than 11 %
NO,
1. The Exhaust gases of the boiler are very hot and dirty and
requires treatment prior they are sent to the cargo tanks.
Releases
excessive
pressure in
the cargo
tanks.
To cargo tanks
Scrubber,
Is where the
Boiler, IG is cleaned Deck seal a
the flu gas and cooled positive means of
generator sealing gases from
E/ Rm
Boiler Furnace
It is the place where the fuel is burnt to generate steam. The hot exhaust
gases from the furnace is sucked by the IG blower through the scrubber.
Scrubber
Demister helps draning the carried water from the inert gas
Sprayed water
Fresh water
washing line
of the
blower
Suction from
the boiler
through the
scrubber
The blower sucks the Flu gases from the scrubber and sends it to
the cargo tanks through the deck seal
The Deck Seal
A IG Gas flow towards cargo tanks Back pressure from the cargo tanks
A Water
seal is
formed
Demister helps draning the carried water from the Inert Gas
This gives a positive means of Gas Seal between Cargo tanks and Engine
Room
Deck Seal
IG Pipe to Deck
Mechanical Non return Valve
IG pipe from
Engine room
Deck Seal
Non Return
Valve
IG Line going
on deck
Filled with
antifreeze
mixture
This arrangement will not help reliving the pressure in the individual tank if the
branch IG valve for that tank is shut
Pressure Vaccum Breaker
Main IG Line
PV Breaker
Main IG line
The Mast Riser
Gas Outlet
Mast Riser
Valve
PV Breaker
IG Line
The Mast riser is opened to vent out gases from the cargo tank to
atmosphere during loading. The Height (6 mtrs or more) of the mast riser
helps dispersing the toxic vapor to the atmosphere
In case of malfunction in the valve of the mast riser the PV breaker will release the
Pressure Or Vaccum from the cargo tanks
Black Sea Loading at a SBM
Mast Riser in
Operation
The Mast Riser is placed as forward as possible on a tanker for the Toxic gases
to be dispersed well away from the Accommodation
What are Vapor Connections ?
Vapor connections
fore and aft of the
cargo manifold
Pressure side
Vaccum Side
To the tank
As seen in the Photo the valve is shut and if the vessel continuous to load / discharge in
this condition. It will cause the cargo tank to damage due to under / over pressurization
The PV valve will come in operation much earlier and avoid the damage
The Key to this lock is only kept with the Chief Officer of the ship
High Velocity Pressure and Vaccum Valve
The Shape and Pressure setting of the valve is such that it allows the vapor
to vent more than 30 m / sec
1. This allows it to rise high enough for dispersing safely
2. Also avoids traveling of any spark back to the tank.
Deck Seal
Pressure side
Vaccum side
Inert Gas Generator
This equipment is fitted on some of our vessels in the fleet and is used to
fill up small quantities of Inert gas to TOP Up the tanks during the loaded
passage, when the ullage spaces of the cargo tanks are small .
The Equipment is easier to start than firing the Main Boiler and saves a lot of
fuel and money
Thank you