Gas-Freeing for Cargo Tank entry

Cargo Tank entry shall not be permitted unless the Oxygen Content is
21% and the hydrocarbon vapor content is less than 1% of the Lower
Flammable Level (LFL). Follow company’s “Procedure for Entry into
Enclosed Spaces” with related permits. 

If the previous cargo contains Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) or other toxic

contaminants which could evolve toxic gases (eg benzene, toluene,
Mercaptans, etc), the tank should be checked for such gases. Refer to
“Guidelines for Toxic Gases Hazards” 

Carrying out “Hot Work” inside Tanks within the ‘Dangerous Area’ need
special caution as per “Procedures for Hot Work” and carry out
preparation accordingly. 

Gas-Freeing or Purging for the Reception of Cargo If the intention of

Gas-Freeing or Purging operations is to prevent the next cargo to be
loaded from contamination due to the previous cargo oil hydrocarbon gas,
use the gas content indicated by the Charterer as standard, but go on
with the operations mentioned in (2) of Article 1 until the LFL decreases
down to 40% or under. 

Safety Precautions

For the operations to be followed, (Tank cleaning, HC Gas Purging, Gas

Freeing and Re-Inerting), the Chief Officer shall carry out the following
precautions . Detailed guidance on preparations and safety precautions
are also described within relevant sections of ISGOTT. 

Have persons engaged in the operations observe the necessary

precautions as described in this section and the “Precautions during Gas-
freeing Operations” 

Complete the necessary sections of “Tank Cleaning, Purging and Gas

Freeing Checklist” to confirm safety strictly at the appropriate time. 

Tank Preparation And Atmosphere Control During Operations

Non Flammable Atmosphere

On Tankers using the inert gas systems, the Chief Officer shall carry out
the operations mentioned in Article 1 and should maintain the cargo tanks
in a “Non Flammable” condition at all times. 

Refer to the “Flammability composition diagram- Hydrocarbon

Gas/Inert/Air Gas Mixtures” from the ISGOTT. i.e. at no time should the
atmosphere in the tank be allowed to enter the flammable range, as
mentioned therein. 

Pyrophoric hazards on chemical reaction with Hydrogen Sulfide Gas

Pyrophoric Iron Sulphide, forms when Hydrogen Sulfide Gas (normally
present in most crude) reacts with rusted surfaces in the absence of
oxygen (Inert conditions) inside cargo tanks. 

These substances, can heat to incandescence on contact with air. This risk
is minimized, by following the correct purging procedure. 

Such procedures serve as a general guidance for the preparation

procedures required and may differ as per ship type. 

Atmosphere Control during Tank Cleaning Operations 

Tank atmospheres can be any of the following, However, ships fitted with
an inert gas system, shall carry out the operations under the Inerted
Condition, unless otherwise as instructed: It should be met with
atmosphere containing less than 8% oxygen, and tank pressure of
minimum 200 mmAq. Refer details to “ISGOTT”

Inerted Tanks

An atmosphere made incapable of burning by the introduction of inert gas

and the resultant reduction of the overall oxygen content. For the
purposes of this procedure, the oxygen content of the tank atmosphere
should not exceed 8% by volume.

This is a condition where the tank atmosphere is known to be at it’s the

lowest risk of explosion by virtue of its atmosphere being maintained at all
times Non-Flammable through the introduction of inert gas and the
resultant reduction of the overall oxygen content in any part of any cargo
tank to a level not exceeding 8% by Volume, while being under positive
pressure at all times. 

Purging with Inert Gas (IG)

(a) For reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) content in tank atmosphere for
Cargo / Vapor contamination reasons:

After tank cleaning operations the cargo tanks may be purged with inert
gas to reduce the concentration of the hydrocarbon gas inside the tank
atmosphere. 

Follow the procedures as laid out in the operation and equipment manual. 

Purge pipes, with proper flame screens shall be fitted, where provided. 

Carry out the operations of replacing the tank atmosphere by introducing

IG of which oxygen content is 5% by Volume or less into the tanks. 

Go on with purging by IG until the hydrocarbon content reduces to the

required / desired level. 

Note

Oxygen content in Inert Gas for purging

Since the main purpose of HC gas purging is displacement HC gas with IG,
the procedure first priority shall be supply IG with full capacity of IG
Blowers. Under the procedure, Oxygen content in Inert Gas for purging
may be permitted by 8% by Volume or less.

For carrying out Gas Freeing of the tank 

After cargo discharge / tank cleaning, whenever it is necessary to gas free

an empty tank containing hydrocarbon gas mixtures or a mixture of IG +
HC gases, it shall first be purged, using inert gas, until the HC
(hydrocarbon) content reaches to below the critical dilution line or HC
concentration in the tank atmosphere is less than 2% by volume. 

This is done so that during the subsequent gas freeing no portion of the
tank atmosphere is brought within the flammable range. 

This inert gas used for purging shall contain Oxygen, less than 5% by
volume, to ensure the above.

The replacement of a tank atmosphere by inert gas can be achieved by

either Inerting or Purging. In each of these methods one of two distinct
processes, Dilution or displacement, will predominate. 
For more details on gas evolution, venting and dispersion criteria and
precautions, refer to the relevant ISGOTT chapters. 

Distinct process 

1) Dilution: It takes place when the incoming inert gas mixes with the
original tank atmosphere to form a homogeneous mixture through the
tank so that, as the process continues, the concentration of the original
gas decreases progressively. 

It is important that the incoming inert gas has sufficient entry velocity to
penetrate to the bottom of the tank. To ensure this a limit must be placed
on the number of tanks which can be inerted simultaneously.

If dilution method of purging is used, it should be carried out with the

inert gas system set for Maximum capacity to give the maximum
turbulence in the atmosphere, within the tank. 

2) Displacement : It depends on the fact that inert gas is slightly lighter

than hydrocarbon gas so that, while the inert gas enters at the top of the
tank, the heavier hydrocarbon gas escapes from the bottom through
suitable piping. 

When using this method it is important that the inert gas has a very low
velocity to enable a stable horizontal interface to be developed between
the incoming and escaping gas although, in practice, some dilution
inevitably takes place owing to the turbulence caused in the inert gas
flow. This system generally allows several tanks to be inerted or purged
simultaneously. If displacement method is used, the gas inlet velocity
should be lower, to prevent undue turbulence. 

A mixture of inert gas and petroleum gas when vented and mixed with air
can become flammable. The normal safety precautions required as
described under “Procedures for Cargo Oil Operations” shall be followed. 

Forced Air Ventilation

i) Before starting to Gas free, the tank should be isolated from other
tanks. 

ii) Do not commence forced air ventilation (Gas free) until it has been
confirmed that the oxygen level is less than 8% and the hydrocarbon
vapor content is less than 2% by Volume. 

iii) To ensure the dilution of the toxic components of inert gas to below
their Threshold Limit Values (TLV), Gas freeing should continue until tests
with an oxygen analyzer show a steady oxygen reading of 21% by volume
and tests with a flammable gas indicator show not more than 1% LFL.

iv) If the presence of a toxic gas such as benzene or hydrogen sulfide is

suspected, Gas freeing should be continued until tests indicate that its
concentration is below its TLV. 

Completion of work & Inerting Cargo tanks

After completion of man entry or repair work (in dry docks / lay-up berth)
Cargo tanks shall be prepared for Loading as follows:

i) An Officer shall confirm each tank free of waste & material used in
maintenance & inspection. Related pipelines and supports, including
hydraulically operated valves, H.P. pipes and flanges are all in place and
tightly secured.

ii) All personnel out of tank & close tank dome or access, only keep
designated vent ports open. Inert tanks to 8% of Oxygen level.

iii) Replace the tank’s atmosphere by an inerted atmosphere, using IG

with the oxygen content of less than 5% by Volume. This gas replacement
should continue, until the average measured oxygen content in the tanks
drops to below 8% by Volume. 

Measures against Inert Gas System in Troubles

In case that proper IG can not be supplied, which could cause the oxygen
content in tanks to exceeds 8% by Volume, or making it difficult to keep
the internal pressure of tanks positive due to troubles in the IG system or
other reasons during tank cleaning or hydrocarbon gas purging
operations, suspend the operations immediately, and do not restart the
operations until proper supply of IG is secured.

Provided that the atmosphere in tanks is not under control, do not put
improper IG (the oxygen content of which exceeds 8%).
If the recovery of the IG system is difficult, notify the Technical
Superintendent in charge for consultation.