Vapour Emission Control - Tanker Op

Reference Material

Doc No:

RF0042

Version:

Inert gas systems mainly developed in the early 1970's along with the development of crude oil
washing systems. Initial systems were developed from waste flue gas, particularly on the large
steam turbine driven vessels. Later inert gas generators have been developed for use on smaller
vessels that do not have the engine load capacity to produce sufficient inert gas of the required
quality. Today inert gas systems are mandatory on all tankers fitted with crude oil washing systems
under present MARPOL 73/78 regulations and by all tankers of 20,000 tonnes deadweight and
above under present SOLAS regulations. Venting systems are required by SOLAS regulations. The
requirements of both inert gas and venting systems are governed by SOLAS Regulations Chapter ll2, Regulations 62 and 59. Vapour emission control systems are governed by USCG regulations.
Note that on double hulled tankers, even the double hulled spaces (ballast tanks) must be protected
by inert gas (normally the IG connection to the ballast tanks is blanked off, it is only used when a
ballast tank becomes contaminated due to a crack or rupture from a cargo tank and has ingress of
hydrocarbons). Refer to SOLAS Chapter II-2, Part D Reg 59, 4 Inerting, ventilation and gas
measurement which came into force on Dec 11, 1992.
The inert gas, venting and vapour control systems all share common components, of piping and
protective equipment. Therefore, in the physical description of the systems where a component has
been previously described, reference will be made to it to avoid duplication. The inert gas system
contains the majority of components and it is this system that will be described first.
This equipment is of recent innovation as an extension of the awareness for protecting the
environment. It is essentially an U.S. regulatory requirement under the United States Environment
Protection Agency Clean Air Act of 1991. It is designed to reduce and/or prevent air pollution from
the emission of vapours from cargo tanks. There are various names for this equipment, which
include vapour recovery, vapour collection, vapour balancing and vapour control systems.
Whilst at present a system of vapour control is not mandatory under USCG regulations, if a vapour
emission control system is fitted then it must comply with USCG regulations. Vapour displaced by a
loading operation passes through the piped venting system to purpose designed vapour manifolds
adjacent to the cargo manifolds. The collected vapours then pass through vapour hoses to the
shore recovery system for later recovery, destruction or dispersion; thus avoiding the necessity to
vent them to atmosphere from the vessel. When loading from another vessel the tank vapour is
similarly transferred to the tanks on the supply vessel as it is displaced by the incoming cargo.
The regulations govern the physical design of the vapour collection system and associated
equipment as well as the practical operation of the systems.
Much of the physical system and associated equipment is already a requirement under other
regulations such as SOLAS and where this is the case, reference to this will be made.
Graphic - Vapour Collection System - Loading

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Vapour Emission Control - Tanker Op

Doc No:

RF0042

Version:

As already mentioned the piping system required utilizes the inert gas and venting piping required
under SOLAS, with additional piping to ship-side manifolds. The piping for the vapour collection
system, when not in use, should not interfere with the venting system. Under USCG regulations this
piping must be permanently fixed, with the vapour connections (manifolds) located as closely as
practical to the vessels loading manifolds. The piping must be electrically continuous and
electrically bonded to the ships hull.
The manifold connection valve(s) must be capable of manual operation with clear indication of the
valve position, open and shut. The manifold connection ends should be clearly marked with paint
colour coding for identification and the presentation flange fitted with a permanently fixed stud. This
is to prevent inadvertent wrong connection of cargo hoses to the vapour collection system.
If grades of cargo carried are incompatible, the vapour collection system must keep the
incompatible vapours separate throughout the system. Means must be provided to eliminate or to
drain any liquid condensate from the piping system at its lowest points.
The system must be isolated from any inert gas supply, this requirement is satisfied by the second
non-return isolation device(s) fitted under SOLAS regulations. The vapour collection system can
only be used when certain other items of equipment are fitted and comply with the USCG
regulations.
These include, a closed gauging system, cargo high level and overfill alarms, and pressure /
vacuum protection devices.
The closed gauging system should provide indication of the liquid level over the full range of a tank,
at the centre of cargo control operations. Cargo Tank Gauging Equipment - Tanker Op (RF0043))

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Vapour Emission Control - Tanker Op

Doc No:

RF0042

Version:

The liquid overfill protection devices should incorporate alarms to indicate both high liquid level in
the tank and imminent overfill level in the tank. These alarms must be independent of each other
and protected by an alarm in the event of loss of power or failure of their circuitry. Both alarms must
be capable of self testing or being checked at the tank site for correct operation before cargo
transfer operations are begun. The overfill alarm must be independent of the cargo gauging system.
The pressure / vacuum device requirements is satisfied by the devices fitted in the inert gas and
venting systems covered by SOLAS regulations and as described in the relevant preceding
sections.
Full details of the vapour collection system and its operation should be available in the Vapour
Emission Control System manual on board.
Note that USCG insists that vapour manifold must be painted in yellow and the word VAPOR must
be painted in black over it (Not spelt as Vapour).

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