INERT GAS SYSTEM ON TANKERS

Purpose of Installation of I. G. System on Tankers

• Crude Oil or Fuel Oil themselves are difficult to ignite.

• Residual oil in tanks after cargo discharge generates hydro-carbon vapours.

• These vapours are explosive when mixed with air in some concentration.

• I.G. creates an atmosphere so that hydro-carbon vapours cannot burn.

 Regulatory requirement for I. G. System

• As per MARPOL Convention and SOLAS Convention, Oil Tankers of 20,000 DWT and
above are to be installed with a Fixed Inert Gas System for protection of cargo
tanks.

• Tankers operating with a cargo tank cleaning procedure using crude oil washing to
be fitted with an Inert Gas System complying with the Fire Safety Systems Code.

• While the cargo tanks are to be fitted with permanent connections for supply of
the Inert Gas, Double Hull spaces (i.e. ballast tanks & cofferdams) are also to be
provided with suitable connections, permanent or otherwise.
 I.G. System design criteria

• I. G. System to be designed and operated to provide & maintain cargo tank

atmosphere in non-flammable condition at all times, except when they are gas
freed.

• System to be capable of inerting empty cargo tanks by reducing O2 content of

tank atmosphere to a level (below 8% by vol) at which combustion cannot be
supported.

• System to eliminate the need for air to enter the tanks during normal operation,
except when they are gas freed.

• Purging the empty cargo tanks of hydrocarbon gases so that subsequent

gas freeing operation will not create a flammable atmosphere in the tanks.

• Cargo tanks fitted with I. G. System to be provided with a closed ullage (or
sounding) system for ascertaining the amount of oil cargo in tanks at any
required time.
 Further Regulatory requirement for I. G. System

I.G. System capacity

a) System to be capable of delivering I.G. to cargo tanks at a rate of at least

125% of the maximum rate of discharge capacity (expressed in volume
flow rate)

a) System to be capable of delivering I.G. with O2 content not more than 5%

by volume.
 Main Equipment for I. G. System

• Source of supply of I. G.
a) Treated flue gas from main or auxiliary boilers can be used as the I. G.

b) Gases from gas generators can also be used as the I. G.

c) Nitrogen gas generator

• Flue Gas Scrubber

a) A scrubber to be fitted to cool the gas while passing from bottom to top level
through a series of water spray and baffle plates. This process is also to
remove the soot solids and sulphur combustion products by which the SO2
level decreases upto 90%.

b) Adequate supply of cooling water to be available without interfering with any

essential service on the vessel.

c) A demister tower to be provided in the scrubber to remove water particles

from the gas.

d) Scrubber to be located aft of all cargo tanks, cargo pump room and cofferdam.
 Main Equipment for I. G. System (contd)

• Blowers
a) At least 2 blowers to be fitted which together to be capable of delivering the specified
volume of I.G. To cargo tanks
b) Generally each blower to be of same capacity, but in no case any one blower to be less than
1/3 of the total gas capacity.
c) It should be ensured that the maximum pressure which can be exerted by the blowers and
their associated piping system will not exceed the test pressure of the cargo tanks (0.24 bar,
3.5 psi)

• I.G. non-return devices

a) I. G. with controlled press., temp. and O2 content then flows out from the safe zone (i.e.
machinery space) to the hazardous zone on deck (I.e. cargo area) through a pressure
regulating valve which returns any excess I.G. to the scrubber.
b) At least 2 non-return devices to be fitted on I.G. supply main line to prevent return of
hydrocarbon vapour to the machinery space.
c) They have to be located before the after-most connection to any cargo tank or cargo
pipeline (and after the Gas Regulating Valve)
d) One device is called “Deck Water Seal”
e) Other device is a mechanical non-return valve or equivalent
 Main Equipment for I. G. System (contd)

• Deck Water Seal

a) Deck Water Seal is the main safe guard against the reverse flow of gases from I.G.
distribution pipeline system to I.G. plant.
b) It consists of a chamber part-filled with water and 2 pipes for inlet and outlet of I.G. There
are 2 other small pipes for inlet and outlet of sealing water.
c) A demister is fitted above the water level to absorb the moisture carried away by the gases
while passing through water.

• I.G. Distribution System

a) From the non-return devices the inert gas is taken forward to IG Main Line where a
Pressure-Vacuum (PV) Breaker is fitted which helps in controlling the over/under
pressurization of cargo tanks.
b) Each cargo tank is connected to the Main Line by branch pipelines. Each branch line is
fitted with an isolating valve to isolate each tank from the others and control the flow of
inert gas to the tanks. They are fitted with special locking arrangement to ensure their un-
authorised opening and closing.
 Main Equipment for I. G. System (contd)

• I.G. Distribution System

a) From the non-return devices the inert gas is taken forward to IG Main Line where a Pressure-
Vacuum (PV) Breaker is fitted which helps in controlling the over/under pressurization of cargo
tanks.
b) Each cargo tank is connected to the Main Line by branch pipelines. Each branch line is fitted with
an isolating valve to isolate each tank from the others and control the flow of inert gas to the
tanks. They are fitted with special locking arrangement to ensure their un-authorised opening and
closing.

• Individual Tank P/V valve

Each cargo tank is fitted with a Pressure/Vacuum valve which is at least 2 mtrs above the tank
head. In case pressure inside the tanks increases above the design pressure due to the formation of
hydro-carbon gases or by IG, the P/V valve opens up automatically and throws the gases to a high
level. Similarly, if the vacuum level inside the tank increases above the design pressure, the P/V
valve opens to improve the pressure in the tank.

• Mast Riser
For upward dispersal of the flammable gases/vapours, a combined vent-stack of not less than 6
mtr. high is fitted above the cargo tank deck of tankers and is located not less than 10 mtr. away
from the nearest air-intakes & openings of enclosed spaces . The velocity of dispersal of gases/
vapours, either by free flow or by throttling, not to be less than 30 mtr/sec.
External Supply Connection
Suitable arrangement to be provided to supply inert gas to the main line from external
source at port, in the event of any emergency requirement.

Running of I.G. System

I.G. System to run during cargo discharge operation. Before starting of discharge operation,
all cargo tank openings to be tightly closed to ensure that there is no leakage of I.G. and all
I.G. supply valves to be correctly set.

During ballast voyage, cargo tank pressure to be maintained at minimum 100 mmAq and
when required to refill I.G. to raise tank pressure.

Before starting of loading operation, to ensure that O2 level is less than 8% by vol. (may be
even 5%) and the tank pressure is minimum 100 mmAq. It is not necessary to run I.G. System
during cargo loading operation.

During loaded voyage, the cargo tank pressure to remain positive. Under normal condition it
is not necessary to run I.G. System during loaded voyage. But if required, the System may be
operated for short duration for topping up I.G. and for bring up the pressure in tanks.