Standard Procedures for Tank Cleaning, Purging and Gas free

Operation for Oil tankers

Tank cleaning – The process of removing hydrocarbon vapours, liquids or

residues. Tank cleaning may be required for one or more of the following
reasons:

 To carry clean ballast.

 To gas free tanks for internal inspections, repairs or prior to entering
dry dock.
 To remove sediments from tank top plating. This may be required if
the vessel is engaged in the repetitive carriage of fuel oil or similar
sediment settling cargoes. Although washing may not be necessary in
between consecutive voyages, assuming the cargoes are compatible,
many Ship Owners have found it prudent to water wash a small group
of tanks on a rotation basis between voyages, thus preventing any
large accumulation of sediments.

 To load a different and not compatible grade of cargo. Washing in

between carrying different grades of cargo is the most common reason
for tank cleaning. In most cargo sequences on product tankers, the
cleaning may consist of no more than a simple hot or cold seawater
wash.

A simple water wash will disperse many types of chemicals and has
been found effective between clean petroleum products such as gasoil
and kerosene. However, it should be noted that there is a number of
grade sequences, particularly in the petroleum product trade, where
no washing at all needs to be be carried out. Thus the decision for
necessary tank cleaning required in such trades is often made only
when knowledge of the next grade to be loaded is obtained.

Responsibility : The Chief Officer is in charge of and shall supervise as the

person in charge of the Tank Cleaning, Hydrocarbon Gas (HC) Purging, Gas
Freeing & Re-Inerting operations. He shall ensure that all activities carried
out during such operations are in compliance with the latest edition
ICS/OCIMF International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals
(ISGOTT).

Gas-Freeing for Cargo Tank entry

Cargo Tank entry shall not be permitted unless the Oxygen Content is 21%
and the hydrocarbon vapor content is less than 1% of the Lower Flammable
Level (LFL). Follow company’s “Procedure for Entry into Enclosed Spaces”
with related permits.

If the previous cargo contains Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) or other toxic

contaminants which could evolve toxic gases (eg benzene, toluene,
Mercaptans, etc), the tank should be checked for such gases. Refer to
“Guidelines for Toxic Gases Hazards”

Carrying out “Hot Work” inside Tanks within the ‘Dangerous Area’ need
special caution as per “Procedures for Hot Work” and carry out preparation
accordingly.

Gas-Freeing or Purging for the Reception of Cargo If the intention of

Gas-Freeing or Purging operations is to prevent the next cargo to be loaded
from contamination due to the previous cargo oil hydrocarbon gas, use the
gas content indicated by the Charterer as standard, but go on with the
operations mentioned in (2) of Article 1 until the LFL decreases down to 40%
or under.

Safety Precautions

For the operations to be followed, (Tank cleaning, HC Gas Purging, Gas

Freeing and Re-Inerting), the Chief Officer shall carry out the following
precautions . Detailed guidance on preparations and safety precautions are
also described within relevant sections of ISGOTT.

Have persons engaged in the operations observe the necessary precautions

as described in this section and the “Precautions during Gas-freeing
Operations”

Complete the necessary sections of “Tank Cleaning, Purging and Gas Freeing
Checklist” to confirm safety strictly at the appropriate time.
 Fig: Oil tanker QUDS underway

Tank Preparation And Atmosphere Control During Operations

Non Flammable Atmosphere

On Tankers using the inert gas systems, the Chief Officer shall carry out the
operations mentioned in Article 1 and should maintain the cargo tanks in a
“Non Flammable” condition at all times.

Refer to the “Flammability composition diagram- Hydrocarbon Gas/Inert/Air

Gas Mixtures” from the ISGOTT. i.e. at no time should the atmosphere in the
tank be allowed to enter the flammable range, as mentioned therein.

Pyrophoric hazards on chemical reaction with Hydrogen Sulfide Gas

Pyrophoric Iron Sulphide, forms when Hydrogen Sulfide Gas (normally
present in most crude) reacts with rusted surfaces in the absence of oxygen
(Inert conditions) inside cargo tanks.

These substances, can heat to incandescence on contact with air. This risk is
minimized, by following the correct purging procedure.

Such procedures serve as a general guidance for the preparation procedures

required and may differ as per ship type.

Atmosphere Control during Tank Cleaning Operations

Tank atmospheres can be any of the following, However, ships fitted with an
inert gas system, shall carry out the operations under the Inerted Condition,
unless otherwise as instructed: It should be met with atmosphere containing
less than 8% oxygen, and tank pressure of minimum 200 mmAq. Refer
details to “ISGOTT”

Inerted Tanks

An atmosphere made incapable of burning by the introduction of inert gas

and the resultant reduction of the overall oxygen content. For the purposes
of this procedure, the oxygen content of the tank atmosphere should not
exceed 8% by volume.

This is a condition where the tank atmosphere is known to be at it’s the

lowest risk of explosion by virtue of its atmosphere being maintained at all
times Non-Flammable through the introduction of inert gas and the resultant
reduction of the overall oxygen content in any part of any cargo tank to a
level not exceeding 8% by Volume, while being under positive pressure at all
times.

Purging with Inert Gas (IG)

(a) For reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) content in tank atmosphere for Cargo
/ Vapor contamination reasons:

After tank cleaning operations the cargo tanks may be purged with inert gas
to reduce the concentration of the hydrocarbon gas inside the tank
atmosphere.

Follow the procedures as laid out in the operation and equipment manual.

Purge pipes, with proper flame screens shall be fitted, where provided.

Carry out the operations of replacing the tank atmosphere by introducing IG

of which oxygen content is 5% by Volume or less into the tanks.

Go on with purging by IG until the hydrocarbon content reduces to the

required / desired level.
Note

Oxygen content in Inert Gas for purging

Since the main purpose of HC gas purging is displacement HC gas with IG,
the procedure first priority shall be supply IG with full capacity of IG Blowers.
Under the procedure, Oxygen content in Inert Gas for purging may be
permitted by 8% by Volume or less.

For carrying out Gas Freeing of the tank

After cargo discharge / tank cleaning, whenever it is necessary to gas free

an empty tank containing hydrocarbon gas mixtures or a mixture of IG + HC
gases, it shall first be purged, using inert gas, until the HC (hydrocarbon)
content reaches to below the critical dilution line or HC concentration in the
tank atmosphere is less than 2% by volume.

This is done so that during the subsequent gas freeing no portion of the tank
atmosphere is brought within the flammable range.

This inert gas used for purging shall contain Oxygen, less than 5% by
volume, to ensure the above.

The replacement of a tank atmosphere by inert gas can be achieved by

either Inerting or Purging. In each of these methods one of two distinct
processes, Dilution or displacement, will predominate.

For more details on gas evolution, venting and dispersion criteria and
precautions, refer to the relevant ISGOTT chapters.

Distinct process

1) Dilution: It takes place when the incoming inert gas mixes with the
original tank atmosphere to form a homogeneous mixture through the tank
so that, as the process continues, the concentration of the original gas
decreases progressively.

It is important that the incoming inert gas has sufficient entry velocity to
penetrate to the bottom of the tank. To ensure this a limit must be placed on
the number of tanks which can be inerted simultaneously.

If dilution method of purging is used, it should be carried out with the inert
gas system set for Maximum capacity to give the maximum turbulence in
the atmosphere, within the tank.

2) Displacement : It depends on the fact that inert gas is slightly lighter

than hydrocarbon gas so that, while the inert gas enters at the top of the
tank, the heavier hydrocarbon gas escapes from the bottom through suitable
piping.

When using this method it is important that the inert gas has a very low
velocity to enable a stable horizontal interface to be developed between the
incoming and escaping gas although, in practice, some dilution inevitably
takes place owing to the turbulence caused in the inert gas flow. This system
generally allows several tanks to be inerted or purged simultaneously. If
displacement method is used, the gas inlet velocity should be lower, to
prevent undue turbulence.

A mixture of inert gas and petroleum gas when vented and mixed with air
can become flammable. The normal safety precautions required as described
under “Procedures for Cargo Oil Operations” shall be followed.

Forced Air Ventilation

i) Before starting to Gas free, the tank should be isolated from other tanks.

ii) Do not commence forced air ventilation (Gas free) until it has been
confirmed that the oxygen level is less than 8% and the hydrocarbon vapor
content is less than 2% by Volume.

iii) To ensure the dilution of the toxic components of inert gas to below their
Threshold Limit Values (TLV), Gas freeing should continue until tests with an
oxygen analyzer show a steady oxygen reading of 21% by volume and tests
with a flammable gas indicator show not more than 1% LFL.

iv) If the presence of a toxic gas such as benzene or hydrogen sulfide is

suspected, Gas freeing should be continued until tests indicate that its
concentration is below its TLV.

Completion of work & Inerting Cargo tanks

After completion of man entry or repair work (in dry docks / lay-up berth)
Cargo tanks shall be prepared for Loading as follows:

i) An Officer shall confirm each tank free of waste & material used in
maintenance & inspection. Related pipelines and supports, including
hydraulically operated valves, H.P. pipes and flanges are all in place and
tightly secured.

ii) All personnel out of tank & close tank dome or access, only keep
designated vent ports open. Inert tanks to 8% of Oxygen level.

iii) Replace the tank’s atmosphere by an inerted atmosphere, using IG with

the oxygen content of less than 5% by Volume. This gas replacement should
continue, until the average measured oxygen content in the tanks drops to
below 8% by Volume.

Measures against Inert Gas System in Troubles

In case that proper IG can not be supplied, which could cause the oxygen
content in tanks to exceeds 8% by Volume, or making it difficult to keep the
internal pressure of tanks positive due to troubles in the IG system or other
reasons during tank cleaning or hydrocarbon gas purging operations,
suspend the operations immediately, and do not restart the operations until
proper supply of IG is secured.

Provided that the atmosphere in tanks is not under control, do not put
improper IG (the oxygen content of which exceeds 8%).

If the recovery of the IG system is difficult, notify the Technical

Superintendent in charge for consultation.