Automatic Unloading System

The Following is a general Guide as to how the VAC strip systems are designed
and should be used on board.

Principle: To automatically prevent the suction of gas into the pump. By doing so,
the completion of stripping by the pump alone becomes possible.

Operation:
It is important to remember that they have one more important function,
that of pump-protection against sudden & unexpected drop of suction
due to various reasons. Air controlled discharge valve is designed to
throttle or shut depending on the liquid level inside the separator. This is
the reason why vac-strip system should be always on line with the
cargo pumps during discharge operation.

Cargo Discharge Line

Automatic To Slop Tank
Air
Main Deck Level Extraction Valve

Fresh
W ater

Sealing
Vacuum Tank
Pump

Manual
Discharge Air
Control Valve Extraction Valve
‘U’ Tube

Bulkhead Master
Air/Cargo Valve
Separator ‘U’ Tube
COP
Drain
Non – Return (Always
Tank
Valve Shut)
Suction
Valve

Drain
To
Pump Room
Bilges
Main Components :
• Oil / air separator chamber
• Vacuum pumps
• Sealing Fresh water tank
• Air extraction valve

Oil Escape: There are basically three regular causes, which lead to oil being
released into the pump room bilges from AUS.

! Air Extraction valve

Air extraction valve is fitted on vacuum pump discharge line normally leading
to one of the Slop tank. This valve is located in pump room above main deck
level. It is important to understand the purpose for which this line is made to
rise all the way above the maximum cargo head level before again going
down to the vacuum pumps. Open & shut status of this air extraction valve
depends on the liquid level inside separator. This valve shuts automatically
when separator level becomes100%. However, malfunction occurs due to
following which can lead to oil being released:
" Delay in shutting of the valve - due to improper settings
" Valve not shutting completely
" Leaking valve, allowing oil to escape

! Vacuum Pump cut off timing

When operated under automatic mode, vacuum pumps are designed to cut in
when separator level fall to less than 80% and cut off as soon as 100% liquid
level is regained inside separator. However, malfunction occurs due to
following which can lead to oil being released:

" Excessive delay in cutting off after 100% liquid level is reached in the
separator. This results in oil rising vertically inside the air extraction line &
from there into drain line leading to the bilges
" Oil leak from Vacuum pump glands

! Operating mistakes

Automatic Unloading System is often not operated as recommended by the

maker. Following mistakes are commonly made :

" Lining up sequence is not followed correctly. Makers’ instructions are as

follows
 • Open manual valves on top of separator & discharge to Slop
• Open bulkhead master valve with tank suction valve shut
• Open tank suction valve 20 % & wait. Allow some time for the
separator to fill up without any “hammer”.
• Changeover the Air extraction valve from "Shut" to "Normal" position.
• Air extraction valve will shut after the Separator has become full
• Slowly, open the tank suction valve 100%. Check separator, pump &
lines for any leaks.

" During lining up the vacuum pumps are started manually to fill up the
separator.

This is one action mainly responsible for oil coming into pump room. With
cargo tanks full, the head of cargo in tanks fills the separator. Attempting
to fill separator using vacuum pumps when cargo tanks are full is
unnecessary & causes oil to be spilled in the pump room through drain
lines.
It is suggested that vacuum pump control be set as follows during various
stages of cargo discharge

Stage of Discharge Vac-Pump control

Tank 90% to 98% full
Stop
(Commencement Of Discharge)
Tank 70% to 90% full Stop
Tanks Below 70% level Automatic
Stripping level Manual

Other Associated Items

• Insufficient Cooling water.

• Inadequate Fresh water in sealing tank.
• Un-noticed Draining of water from “U” tubes, causing vapour from Slop tank to
enter pump room.
• Physical check of Vacuum pump and drain line in bilges regularly & specially
during lining up, stripping etc.
• Physical check of Vacuum pump glands during operation. There should be a
“drop-by-drop” discharge of water from the glands.
• When carrying heated cargo, the vapour extracted from the separator condenses
inside fresh water sealing tanks. From there it overflows into the pump room
bilges via the drain line.
• Removing oil from fresh water sealing tank and the ‘U’ tube, during the ballast
voyage.
• Vacuum pump coupling lubrication.