DIRECT REDUCED IRON

DESCRIPTION
Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) (B) is a metallic material of a manufacturing
process formed by the reduction (removal of oxygen) of iron oxide at
temperatures below the fusion point of iron. Cold-moulded briquettes
should be defined as those which have been moulded at a temperature of
under 650oC or which have a density of less than 5.0 g/cm3.

CHARACTERISTICS
ANGLE OF REPOSE BULK DENSITY (kg/m3) STOWAGE FACTOR (m3/t)
Not applicable More than 2000 Up to 0.5
SIZE CLASS GROUP
Lumps and pellets: Average
particle size 6 mm to 25 mm with
up to 5% fines (under 4 mm)
Cold-moulded briquettes: Approximate maximum dimensions 35 to 40
mm
MHB
Group: B
HAZARD
Temp. increase of about 30 deg due to self heating may be
expected after material handling in bulk. DRI may react with
water and air to produce hydrogen and heat. Hydrogen is a
flammable gas that can form an explosive mixture when
mixed with air in concentration above 4% by volume. Cargo
heating may generate very high temp that are sufficient to
lead to self heating, auto ignition and explosion.
Oxygen in cargo spaces and in an enclosed adjacent spaces
may be depleted. Flammable gas may also build up in these
spaces so all precautions to be taken when entering cargo and
enclosed adjacent spaces.
There is a risk of over heating, fire and explosion during
transport.
STOWAGE & SEGREGATION
“Separated from” goods of classes 1 (Division 1.4S), 2, 3, 4 and
5 and class 8 acids in packaged form.
“Separated from” solid bulk materials of classes 4 and 5.
Goods of class 1, other than division 1.4S, should not be
carried in the same ship.
Boundaries of compartments where this cargo is carried shall
be resistant to fire and liquid.
HOLD CLEANLINESS
The cargo spaces shall be clean, dry and free from salt and
residues of previous cargoes.
Prior to loading the wooden fixtures such as battens, loose
dunnage and combustible materials shall be removed
WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
This cargo shall be kept as dry as practicable before loading, during
loading and during voyage.
This cargo shall not be loaded during precipitation. During loading of this
cargo all non-working hatches of the cargo spaces to which this cargo
are loaded or to be loaded shall be kept closed.
LOADING
Where practicable, adjacent ballast tanks, other than double-bottom
tanks, shall be kept empty.
Weather deck closures shall be inspected and tested to ensure integrity
by ultrasonic test or another equivalent method. This cargo shall not be
accepted for loading if the temperature is in excess of 65°C (150°F) and
shipper shall ensure that the moisture content is less than 0.3%.
The cargo temp shall be monitored during loading and recorded in a log
detailing the temp. On completion of loading of a cargo space it shall be
immediately closed and sealed. Sufficient inert gas shall then be
introduced to achieve an oxygen concentration less than 5% throughout
the cargo space.
PRECAUTIONS
Prior to loading this cargo, the shipper shall provide the master with a
certificate issued by a person recognized by the competent authority of the
country of shipment stating that the cargo, at the time of loading, is suitable
for shipment. Shippers shall certify that the cargo conforms to the requirement
of this Code. Prior to shipment, this cargo shall be aged for at least 72 hours, or
treated with an air passivation technique, or some other equivalent method
that reduces the reactivity of the material to at least the same level as the
aged product. Hatches of the cargo space for this cargo shall be sealed. All
ventilators and other openings of the cargo spaces shall be closed to maintain
an inert atmosphere.
A. The shipper shall provide necessary specific instructions for carriage, either:
1. prior to loading, provision should be made to introduce the inert gas at tank
top level so that the whole of the cargo space can be maintained at a low
oxygen level throughout the voyage. The cargo spaces shall be maintained
under an inert atmosphere containing less than 5% oxygen. The hydrogen
content of the atmosphere in the cargo spaces shall be maintained at less that
1% by volume;
or
2. that the cargo has been manufactured or treated with an oxidation and
corrosion-inhibiting process which has been proved, to the satisfaction of the
competent authority, to provide effective protection against dangerous
reaction with seawater or air under shipping conditions.
B. The provision of paragraph A above may be waived or varied if agreed
to by the competent authorities of the countries concerned, taking into
account the sheltered nature, length, duration, or any other applicable
conditions of any specific voyage.

The ship selected for the carriage of this cargo shall be suitable in all
respects for the carriage of this cargo. Except as provided for under
paragraph B above, any material which is wet or is known to have been
wetted should not be accepted for carriage in bulk. The cargo shall be
loaded, stowed and transported under dry conditions.

Appropriate precautions shall be taken to protect machinery and

accommodation spaces from the dust of the cargo. Bilge wells of
the cargo spaces shall be protected from ingress of the cargo.
Due consideration shall be paid to protect equipment from the
dust of the cargo. Persons, who may be exposed to the dust of
the cargo, shall wear protective clothing, goggles or other
equivalent dust eye-protection and dust filter masks, as
necessary. Radars and exposed radio Communication equipment
of the ship which carry this cargo shall be protected from the
dust of this cargo.
Bilge wells shall be clean, dry and covered as appropriate, to prevent ingress
of the cargo. Cargo spaces containing this cargo and adjacent spaces may
become oxygen-depleted.
Flammable gas may also build up in these spaces. All precautions shall be
taken upon entering these spaces.
VENTILATION
The cargo spaces carrying this cargo shall not be ventilated during voyage.
CARRIAGE
For quantitative measurements of oxygen and hydrogen, suitable detectors
for each gas or combination of gases shall be on board while this cargo is
carried. The detectors shall be suitable for use in an atmosphere without
oxygen and of certified safe type for use in explosive atmosphere. The
concentrations of these gases in the cargo spaces carrying this cargo shall be
measured regularly including the temp inside the cargo spaces during voyage,
and the results of the measurements shall be recorded and kept on board.
The oxygen concentration in the cargo spaces carrying the cargo shall be
maintained at less than 5% throughout the duration of the voyage by topping
up with inert gas.
No smoking, burning, cutting, chipping or other source of ignition shall be
allowed in the vicinity of the cargo spaces containing this cargo.
DISCHARGE
The hydrogen concentration in the cargo space shall be
measured immediately before any opening action of the hatch
covers. During precipitation all cargo operations shall be
suspended and holds to be closed.
CLEAN-UP
Accumulation of dust from this cargo on deck or in the proximity
to cargo spaces shall be removed as quickly as possible. Hosing
with sea water shall be avoided.
SPECIAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT TO BE CARRIED
Nil
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Nil
EMERGENCY ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE
Batten down. Do not use water. Seek expert advice. Early
application of an inert gas to a smouldering situation may be
effective. If a fire situation develops, the ship should make for
the nearest suitable port and neither water, steam nor
additional carbon dioxide should be used at this stage. If
nitrogen gas is available, the use of this gas to keep the oxygen
concentration down will contain the fire.
Preparations should be made for grab discharge if serious
heating occurs.
MEDICAL FIRST AID
Refer to the Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG), as amended.