Cargo line clearance safe procedure for chemical

tankers

Why line clearance ? : The lines used for cargo operations
must be cleared and the pressure released to prevent
solidification, polymerisation, reaction, pitting and danger to
personnel connecting and disconnecting hoses or taking
samples.

The final onboard cargo line and systems clearance after the
hoses / chicksans have been removed and the cargo systems
secured is the responsibility of the vessel.

Fig: Well maintained Cargo pipelines

Line clearance should be carried out immediately after any of

the following, unless safety or pollution concerns dictate
otherwise:

1. On the completion of loading (each line system).

2. After any internal transfer of cargo (tank to tank).
3. After cargo recirculation operations via the manifold or
any part of the line being used.
4. After a part discharge from any of the tank(s).
 5. On completion of discharge each line system must be
cleared according to Regulations (MARPOL).
6. As a result of prolonged stops in the cargo handling
operations which may cause line solidification due to high
melting point or freezing weather condition.

In order to prevent blockages from freezing it is important that

lines, drain cocks / plugs are cleared from such cargoes as
Phenol, Caustics, Acetic Acid, Benzene, Paraxylene, Cresols,
Vegoils etc in cold weather.

All cargo manifold lines to be checked by knocking to ensure

they are clear prior vessel arriving port. All line clearance
operations must be carefully planned to ensure safe and
proper execution. Critical Operation Checklists should be
created and utilised to assist.

Special care must be taken to ensure that cargo tank and line
systems are not over-pressurised or overfilled during such
operations After clearing the cargo lines, the respective valves
to be kept closed.

In freezing weather the vacuum formed in the lines may suck

the cargo from the cargo tanks and causing solidification of
pipe lines. Hence it is imperative that the cargo pipe lines are
checked daily.
 Fig: Chemical tanker at sea

Clearing the Line from the Terminal / Barge or Coaster

Normally the Terminal / Barge / Coaster will clear their lines

into the loading vessel’s tanks. If line clearance into the
vessel’s tanks is not possible the line should be cleared into a
Slop Tank (bearing in mind possible reactions with other
chemicals / materials which may already be in the tank) or
other suitable containers.

Normally the cargo lines are steamed on the outside of pipe

line with live steam and drained into the tank via drop and
delivery lines of respective tanks by blowing with air/nitrogen ,
as appropriate, simultaneously .

Deepwell Pump Line Clearance

Before putting pressure on the cargo line systems, the lines

should be completely secured with all valves closed and all
flanges bolted. When the cargo line system is being
pressurised the pump stack valve or drop line valve should be
carefully controlled, the valve should be opened and closed
repeatedly until the line is clear of all cargo (an indication of
this can be obtained by listening for the flow of cargo passing
the valve). On completion of the line clearance any residual
line pressure must be released into the drip tray or other
suitable container in a controlled manner wearing suitable PPE.

General Line Clearance Procedures

This procedure is to be followed whenever line clearance is

being carried out by ship or shore.

 The operation will be supervised by a responsible officer and the procedure clearly
agreed with the terminal representative. A record of this agreement is to be recorded in
the Port Log and Ship/Shore Checklist.

All involved in line clearance should wear appropriate PPE.

 The vessel’s list / trim may complicate the line clearance procedure and special care
must be taken under such circumstances to ensure that lines and systems are clear of
residues.

 Ensure that the tank into which the line(s) are to be cleared has sufficient ullage to
prevent overflow.

Ensure a crew member remains at the vessel’s manifold valve for controlling pressure.
Tank vent to be kept open to prevent over tank pressurization. During line clearance
monitor tank vapour pressure continuously to avoid over pressurization.

 On completion of clearing the hoses / chicksans systematically close all valves

starting at the manifold.

 Ensure that no pressure remains in the ship’s lines by closing the pump stack or drop
line valve(s) last.
 Ensure no pressure remains in the hoses / chicksans by opening the drain cock
outboard of the manifold valve.

 If further line clearance is required (solidifying cargoes, freezing conditions or low

freezing point cargoes) first disconnect the hoses / chicksans, the necessity for further
clearance can be ascertained by knocking the pipeline with a suitable instrument, paying
particular attention to low points in the system.

 If the cargo has been loaded via individual manifolds and lines then each system must
be cleared into its individual tanks. The off shore manifold section shall also be cleared.

 Prepare for the displacement by placing blind flanges with suitable connections
(steam, air, Nitrogen) on each side of the manifold.

 Ensure that the medium chosen for the line displacement is suitable for the particular
cargo

 Connect the hoses and supply the selected medium from both sides of the manifold
simultaneously.

 Ensure that the tank / system is not over pressurised and that there is sufficient ullage
space in the receiving tank to prevent an overflow, by ensuring that tank vent is open
during line clearance and tank vapour pressure is being continuously monitored.

 Open the pump stack or drop line valves.

 Slowly open the valves on both sides of the manifold controlling the selected cleaning
medium and checking the tightness of all connections.

 When clearing each line system, open and close the pump stack or drop line valve
repeatedly until the flow of liquid is no longer detected passing the valve.

 When the line is determined as clear, firstly close the supply valve of the purging
medium then close the pump stack or drop line valve.
 Ensure that “dead ends” of pipeline systems and vent systems are cleared also.

 On completion of each line clearing operation ensure that all valves, flanges and dust
caps are properly sealed and secured.

Precautions to Be Observed During Line Clearance Operations

 Clear instructions must be issued with regards to the Procedures and Safety issues to
be observed during clearing operations.

 The plan of line clearing must be systematically followed in order to be effective.

 Good communications between all parties involved in the line clearing operations are
of paramount importance.

 The appropriate PPE must be worn by all personnel involved in the cleaning
operations; any personnel not involved in the operation must be kept clear of the area.

 The choice of clearance medium (steam / air / Nitrogen) must be considered carefully
as the choice of the wrong medium may affect both the safety of the vessel and the cargo
quality

- Compressed Air: may contain water/oil vapour / droplets; static electricity hazards

- Steaming, condensed water will introduce / increase water content of the cargo;

static electricity hazards ; heat may have an adverse effect on some cargoes and
tank/pipeline coatings.

- Nitrogen: this is the most commonly used medium for clearing lines, however
consideration must be given to both the purity of the Nitrogen used and also its use for
line clearance when Oxygen dependent inhibitors have been added to the cargo.

 When applying steam to the inside of pipelines always make sure that the condensate
and melted product have an escape route.

 Risk Assessments must be carried out for Line Clearance operations and maintained
on file. Although the line clearance procedure should, if correctly and methodically
carried out after each cargo operation, remove all liquid from the cargo lines, the
following checks must be carried out in ample time prior to arrival at the discharge port:

 Check the entire cargo lines including the manifold crossovers for possible blockages
by tapping with a suitable instrument.

 Check that all cargo valves are moveable and not “frozen”.

 Check that vent systems are free to operate and are not blocked.

 Ensure that manifolds are free of liquid by opening the drain valves and loosening the
flanges (these must be secured after the checks are completed).

 When dealing with cargoes which freeze at ambient temperatures it is important to

check and prevent the cargo lines and valves from becoming blocked or “frozen”. Pay
particular attention to PV lines also and continuously monitor vapour pressure in each
tank particularly when tanks are heated. During heavy weather freezing temperature, it is
possible for PV and IG lines to be filled with solidified cargo blocking these lines.

Related Info:

Voyage planning and related considerations

Preparation for cargo operation

Preparing a cargo tank atmosphere

Cargo unloading operation safety precautions

Liaison between ship and shore

Cargo line leakage countermeasures

Checklist for handling dangerous liquid chemicals in bulk

Recommended temperature monitoring equipments onboard