INERT GAS

Inert gas from boiler flue gases:

While carrying oil, in order to avoid any fire, the atmosphere in all cargo tanks has to be maintained inert, ie, must have less than 8% oxygen. This is
achieved by providing inert gas produced from the flue (exhaust) gas of the boiler.

Uptake valve: mounted on the boiler flue uptake (exhaust pipe). This is opened only after starting the scrubber water pump and the fan has been started.
When not in use, it is protected from flue gases by sealing air tapped off from the boiler wind box. This valve tends to get stuck in shut position when left
unused. Hence it has to be manually operated every Saturday. This sealing air MUST be shut off when the inert gas is being used. Hence the shut off valve is
interlocked with the ‘Inert Gas’ selector switch. It opens automatically when the IG system is switched off or trips.

Scrubber Tower: Cools and cleans the exhaust gas using copious amounts of sea water supplied by the scrubber pump. This water is injected through
sprinkler nozzles and cascades down hundreds of plastic balls, counter to the exhaust gas flow. A high level trip is provided for the scrubber pump in case
the level in the scrubber tower rises, to prevent water from flowing back into the boiler. A scrubber water low pressure alarm trips the blower to prevent
damage to the plastic balls by high temp flue gas. The whole inert gas system downstream of and including the scrubber tower is internally coated with
rubber epoxy and NO WELDING repairs are permitted! During routine cleaning, ‘Enclosed Space Entry’ procedure are to be adopted.

Inert Gas Blower: A large diameter high speed (3500 rpm) blower is provided with star-delta starting. To reduce starting load further, the discharge valve is
kept shut until the starter changes over to delta. Can also be used as a gas freeing fan by removing the blank on the atmospheric suction pipe.

Cleaning after every cargo discharge operation: Inert gas is dirty and can imbalance the rotor if not kept clean.
Dry Cleaning: Blower casing is provided with inspection covers. Through these, parts of the impeller can be manually cleaned by scraping. But this is
laborious and may not give satisfactory results.

Wet cleaning: The casing is equipped with three jets facing the impeller axially and radially. When stopping the blower, after shutting the deck valve, the
drain of the blower is opened, a flexible section of fresh water hose is connected, the blower is switched off and water opened. It impacts the impeller from
all sides as the impeller gradually decelerates to a stop. Due to impingement of water drops at high RPM, the blower gets cleaned thoroughly. (Note: In case
the drain pipe is clogged, water collects inside the casing and can cause catastrophic damage to any blower running at high speed! Prior to starting each
cargo discharge operation, it is necessary to ensure that the drain pipe is clear!)

Oxygen Analyzer: The oxygen content of IG cannot exceed 5%. The O 2 analyser is a delicate instrument and has to be protected from the carbon in the inert
gas by a fine filter which tends to get choked repeatedly, giving rise to a dangerous situation. Flow through the analyser must be ensured at all times. Imp:

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The O2 analyser needs to be calibrated before EACH cargo operation and records must be maintained of the same. Calibration is carried out by fresh air
(21% O2) and calibration gas (preferably 1% O2 and 99 % N2).

Deck/atmos Valves: These operate in tandem so as to provide an unimpeded flow of inert gas. Modulation is controlled by the pressure of IG in the deck
main.

Deck Seal: Provides a foolproof method of preventing backflow of hydrocarbon gas back into the engine room. Provided flowing water 24/7 even when not
in use. Safety provided: Low water flow and low water level. The height of the vertical section of pipe at the inlet should be more than 2000 mm measured
from the surface of the water level. A unit installed at the bottom end of the inlet pipe helps to avoid the gas bubbling through water and causing a carry-
over. (Note: Method of remembering the construction of the unit: – IGS - Inlet, Go out, Surrounding-pipe)

Deck Main: Has a shut off valve as well as a non-return valve after the deck seal. The aft-most low point is provided with a drain to remove condensation
periodically. Each oil tanks are connected to the deck main through shut off valve and a spectacle blank. These valve are lockable and keys are to be kept in
the cargo control room (CCR). For the purpose of man entry if any tank/tanks is/are to be isolated from the deck main, the spectacle blank MUST be turned!
The valve is NOT to be relied upon!

Pressure/Vacuum Valve: Each tank is provided with a PV valve. It releases pressure from the tank at about 1700 mmwc and breaks vacuum of (-)350
mmwc. As soon as a PV valve lifts on an oil tanker, it is necessary to stop all operations IMMEDIATELY and should not be restarted until the shortcoming has
been identified and rectified. However, in case of chemical tankers, it is necessary to isolate each tank from all others. This means the only way to release
pressure from cargo tanks when loading chemicals is to allow the gases to escape to the atmosphere through the PV valves. This means PV valves will keep
operating throughout the loading operation and need not trigger any action.

PV breaker: in the event that IG main pressure rises to 2000 mmwc or falls below (-)500 mmwc, the PV breaker releases the excess and prevents any
damage. The PV breaker has to be filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze liquid in the appropriate proportion as mentioned in the instruction manual
of the manufacturer. The density of the mixture is as important as its freezing point.

Vapour Recovery System: venting any ullage space gases to the atmosphere inevitably causes pollution of the air in the port. To avoid this, VRS is used. In
addition to the pipeline connecting the shore tank to the ship, another pipe is provided. This connects the ullage space of the tank being loaded to the
ullage space of the tank from which cargo is being consumed on shore. To avoid any mistake of interchanging these pipes during connection at the
manifold, the size, colour of the VPR pipes is different. In addition, flanges on the ship where these pipes are to be connected are provided with a pin and
these pipes are provided with a notch to accommodate this pin.

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Alarms And Trips Associated With IG Plant

Parameter Alarm/Trip Trip What Approx Value Remarks

Boiler Smoke High Alarm
Scrubber Level High Trip Scrubber Float Shut Master Deck Vv
Pump And Open Valve To Atm
Scrubber PpPr Low Trip Blower 2.0 Bar Shut Master Deck Vv
And Open Valve To Atm
Oxygen Content In IG Alarm >5 % Oxygen Shut Master Deck Vv
And Open Valve To Atm
IG High Temp Trip Blower 65 DegC Shut Master Deck Vv
And Open Valve To Atm
Deck Seal Low Level Alarm Float Start St. By Deck Seal
Water Pump
Deck Seal Low Flow Alarm Start St. By Deck Seal
Water Pump
Inert Gas Low Alarm 150 mmWc To avoid vacuum in
Pressure Trip Cargo pp 100 mmWc cargo tanks.

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