INERT GAS SYSTEM

Definitions:
Inert gas- This is a gas which contains insufficient oxygen to support combustion of
hydrocarbons
Inert conditions- This is where a space has had its oxygen content reduced to 8% or
less
Inert gas plant- This is a system specially designed to supply cool, clean, pressurised,
monitored and controlled inert gas.
Gas freeing- Opposite to inerting and is the replacement of an inert atmosphere with
one of fresh air.
The choice of whether an inert gas system is fitted to a essel is based on
the initial cost of installation and maintenance, the planned cargos to be carried and
the possibility of the being tainted by the inert gas and the possibility that the inert gas
system in itself will introduce a ris!. "or an example of the latter procedures would
hae to ensure that the space is well entillated of the inert gas before a person could
enter.
Sources of inert gas
The use of the term Inert Gas is a misnomer in so far as the true inert gasses such as
#elium and argon are prohibitiely expensie to use.
$imilarly the use of semi-inert gasses such as %itrogen and &arbon-dioxide
are too expensie to use on bul!, nitrogen is often seen in use on gas carriers in
barrier spaces or for the clearing and inerting of pipelines and pumps.
The gas most commonly used is the exhaust product of combustion.
This may have three sources
Exhaust from an internal comustion engine such as a diesel
engine or gas turine! The relatively high "xygen content in the
output must e reduced to ma#e it suitale and this is generally
achieved y the use of an afterurner! This is an uncommon
system and $ill not e dealt $ith currently
%oilers
Gas oil or heavy oil po$ered inert gas generator! This generally
ta#ens the form of an insulated comustion space similar in layout
to a tan# oiler $ith the insulation ta#ing the place of the $ater&$ith
rotary cup urner
'urging( This is the introduction of inert gas into an inerted space to)
i. further reduce O2 content
ii. reduce hydrocarbon level in the inert gas so that air may be
introduced without the mix entering the flammable range.
*imits of flammaility
"xygen control
Theoretically any mix with less than ''.(% oxygen will not support combustion,
#oweer, for safety the leel is reduced to 8% ol. This allows for calibration errors in
monitoring e)uipment as well as any lac! of homogeneity in the tan!s.
The tan! is !ept at positie pressure to ensure no ingress of air.* say
'++mmwg at the dec! ,.
+ydrocaron control
The principle means of ensuring safe operation is the reduction in oxygen, high leels
of #& should not effect the safe operation and may in fact aid by producing an oer
rich atmosphere.
-f it is re)uired to gas free then the leel of #& must be reduced to preent
the mix entering the flammable range, then the #& leel is reduced by purging.
Gas replacement
There are two principle means of gas replacement, these are.
,ilution-The important factors for these is that the ent is situated at the top of the
tan! and the inlet gas stream must hae sufficient elocity to reach the bottom of the
tan!
,isplacement- This re)uires a stable interface between the heaier and lighter gas, if
the replacement gas is heaier it enters at the top with low elocity , the lighter gas is
ented up a purge pipe reaching the base of the tan!.
General policy of cargo tan# atmosphere control!
-t is the masters responsibility for !eeping a non-explosie atmosphere within the tan!,
and to ensure all personnel concerned with the operation are well ersed.
To ensure the I!G! system is fulfilling its re-uirements it is the .hief
"fficers responsiility to
i. Maintain Oxygen content at less than 8% especially when tank
cleaning
ii. Maintain gas pressure at 1 mm!g
iii. "nsure correct level in #v breaker
iv. $lanks and v%v&s to be checked before operation
v. "nsure no tank is overfilled when loading' ballasting.
The efficacy of the -./. plant to produce inert gas at less than 8% Oxygen is
the chief engineers responsibility.
The correct operation of the I!G system should allo$ the follo$ing
enefits)
.losed loading procedures
Reduced cargo discharge times
Simplification of the t# cleaning procedures
Reduction of oxygen dependent corrosion
*imited repair $or# on hull $ithout the need to gas free
'yrophoric ignition
-n an oxygen deficient atmosphere where there is #ydrogen sulphide present the iron
oxide can be reduced to iron sulphide, with the reintroduction of air the iron reconerts
to iron oxide with considerable heat and possible incandescence.
#ence, when gas freeing it is important to maintain the mix outside the
flammable range.