Preparing a cargo tank atmosphere : Chemical tanker

procedure

Ship checks prior to loading: For some cargoes the IBC

Code requires vapour spaces within cargo tanks to have
specially controlled atmospheres, principally when the cargo is
either air reactive resulting in a hazardous situation, or has a
low auto-ignition temperature, or has a wide flammability
range.

The correct atmosphere in a tank, can be established either

inerting to prevent the formation of flammable mixtures of
cargo vapour and air, or padding to prevent chemical reaction
between oxygen and the cargo. It may also be necessary to
reduce the humidity (dewpoint) of the atmosphere within the
cargo system.

The extent of atmosphere control to protect the quality of the

cargo will normally be specified by the cargo shippers. Some
cargoes are extremely sensitive to commercial contamination
or discoloration, and for quality control reasons are carried
under a blanket of nitrogen that is very pure and which must
often be obtained from shore.

Visual inspection

Visual inspection can only be carried out when tank is gas free
by entering the tanks. If the tank is to be entered particular
attention has to be paid to the risks of lack of oxygen, toxic
and/or explosive tank atmosphere. Always consider the tank
‘dangerous’ and act according to theEnclosed Space Entry
procedures . Condition reports of any visual inspections of
cargo tanks prior to loading must be maintained on file for
subsequent inspection by Third Parties.

Odour check
Some cargoes require being loaded in odour free conditions. It
is important that tanks are cleaned accordingly and presented
free of odour.

Wall wash tests

Depending on the product to be loaded and the previous

product, contamination tests will be carried out with indicators.
There are usually tests as follows:

 Chlorides
 Hydrocarbons
 Inhibitor residues
 Lead compounds
 Permanganate time test (PTT)
 pH–tests
 Suspended matter

The results of all Wall Wash Tests are to be recorded in the

Wall Wash Test Reports are to be maintained on file.

Wall wash Procedure

This describes an approved method for collecting and

analysing wall wash samples to determine the presence of
contaminants on the bulkheads. The procedure involves
contacting a constant area of the bulkhead with a given
amount of specification grade methanol, collecting the liquid
and analysing it for the presence of chlorides, hydrocarbons,
colour and particulate matter, or whatever might be required
by the Charterer.

Precautions

a) Safety Considerations – eye protection is required when

collecting the samples to prevent the inadvertent contact of
methanol with the eyes during the sample collection process.
Gloves should be worn to prevent the absorption of methanol
into the skin.

b) Disposable plastic gloves are also worn to prevent

contamination of the samples during the collection process. (A
sufficient amount of chlorides can be absorbed from the skin to
cause the sample to fail the chloride analysis.)

c) Chlorides are abundant in the marine environment. All

sampling equipment including bottles, funnels and other
apparatus must be thoroughly rinsed with methanol (of less
than 0.2 ppm chlorides content) and stored in plastic
containers. Bottles are to be capped prior to sample collection.

d) Personnel collecting the samples must be certain that no

perspiration or bare skin contacts the sample or sampling
equipment while the wall washes are being collected.

Choice of test sites

As a minimum, four sites of approximately 1.2 square feet

each must be chosen in each tank. (If additional sites are
chosen, 100mls of methanol should be applied to each location
and collected in a separate container.)

Any area that appears to have crystalline deposits should

definitely be tested.

Separate test of non-typical areas greater than 2 square feet

(discoloured patches etc.) should be conducted. The sample
collected should be labelled with a description of the nontypical
area. (These areas should be analysed separately.)

Sample collection procedures

Choose four surfaces to test.

 1. Using the plastic wash bottle, squirt methanol on the test
section at the highest practical point (normally 1.5 up to
2 metres) above the tank bottom in a stream of about
10cm wide.
2. Allow the methanol to run down the wall approximately
15 cm and begin collecting it with the funnel, squirting
additional liquid as necessary to rinse the flushing into
the sample funnel.
3. Continue this process until approximately an area of 10
by 120 cm has been rinsed with 100 mls of methanol.
4. After the washings from the four sites are collected,
submit a portion of the sample for analysis of chlorides,
colour, suspended matter and hydrocarbons, whatever is
applicable. The accuracy of this test depends upon
consistency.
5. Consistent number of sites tested.
6. Consistent area tested at each site.
7. Consistent amount of methanol applied to each site.
8. Consistent amount of methanol recovered from each site.

For the purpose of standardising methods and maintaining the

desired consistency; the following criteria have been
established:

Four wall wash sites.

i) An area of 10 by 120 cm for each wall wash.

ii) 100 mls of methanol applied to each site.

iii) 250 mls total minimum recovery of methanol

(approximately 60% of each of the four 100 ml washings).

Equipments and reagents

1. Polyethylene washing bottles, 500 ml capacity

2. Bottles, glass with screw cap and polyethylene lined, of
sufficient capacity to hold the washings.
3. Plastic disposable gloves.
4. Specification grade methanol (laboratory pure methanol)
that has been tested to be less than 0.1ppm chloride by
ion chromatography. (High quality methanol is vital to
the accuracy of this test.)
5. Sample funnel, plastic or stainless steel with one flat side
that can be held flush with the bulkheads.