TANK INSPECTION

LIQUID CARGO SURVEY

for
JUNIOR SURVEYOR

Presented by:
Michael Wiranto., MIIMS

Asosiasi Independent Surveyor Indonesia

 TANK INSPECTION
( INSPECTION FOR ENSURING TANK SUITABILITY )

A. LOADING/ DISCHARGING ACTIVITY

- No potential of quality deterioration and or contamination
- No potential of hazards ( safe condition )
- No potential of physical cargo loss ( vaporizing, leaking, spillage)

B. DRY DOCKING ACTIVITY

- “ safe for men “ ( free of toxic & flammable gas and sufficient
oxygen content )
- “ safe for fire “ ( safe for men & free of potential flammable gas )
 SUITABILITY FOR LOADING
( potential problem might be encountered )

1. OBQ VS INTENDED CARGO

- REACTIVE ( gas evolution, exothermic, explosion etc ).
- INCOMPATIBLE ( contamination, quality deterioration, poisonous etc)
- COMPATIBLE ( same grade OBQ, more refined )
2. RESIDUE OF CLEANING AGENTS ( will contaminate)
3. MATERIAL OF TANK & COATING
- cargo will corrode mild steel, Zn ( coating ), Cu ( valve, fittings etc )
- tank will crack at extreme lower temp.
 Continued
4. TANK ATMOSPHERE CONDITION

- Oxygen : stimulates explosion mixture, oxidation

and di/polymerization.
- Humidity/water : - exothermic hydration
- icing when refrigerated
- Residual gas : contaminates intended cargo
- Inert gas : prevents explosion mixture formation,
polymerization etc.
- Temperature : thermal shock/ crack, thermal ductility

Remarks :
- Gas displacer : methane, inert gas, LN2, loading vapor
( purging gas )
 SUITABILITY FOR DRY DOCKING
( ensured by in tank inspection )
A. SAFE FOR COLD WORK ( MEN )
- fresh/ breathable air
- free of toxic & flammable gas
B. SAFE FOR HOT WORK ( FIRE ) = GAS FREE
- safe for cold work
- free of potential explosion from the subject confined
space and sorroundings
 CLEANLINESS CRITERIA

A. PHYSICAL CLEANLINESS
- dry, odorless & free of loose particles & sooth
- mopping with clean fabrics, the fabrics remains clean
B. CHEMICAL CLEANLINESS
- acceptable reducing substances ( good PTT )
- acceptable inorganic chlorides ( negative Chloride test )
- acceptable hydrocarbon ( negative HC test )
C. ATMOSPHERIC CLEANLINESS

• GAS FREE & BREATHABLE AIR ( 1st grade )

• LOWER OXYGEN CONTENT ( 2nd grade = max 8 % ) + INERT
• LOWER OXYGEN CONTENT + LDG VAPOR, NITROGEN
• PLUS = - DEW POINT = MAX. ½ LOADING VAPOR
- TEMP. = BELOW THERMAL SHOCK TEMP. LIMIT
- PRESSURE SETTING OF SAFETY RELIEF VALVE
( BELOW MAWP & ABOVE MAX VAPOR PRESS. )
 SAFE PROCEDURE OF TANK ENTRY INSPECTION
1. Establish a well trained (skilled) team.
2. Wear safety equipment, intrinsically safe of communication &
lighting equipment.
3. Duty officer: monitor & watch condition of inspectors (
evacuate the victim, if happens ).
4. Gas detection from the deck/ hatch at several levels.
5. If gas free, enter the space for gas detection at suspected points.
If it isn’t safe for men, gas freeing shall be continued.
GAS DETECTION
Analysis is carried out in two ways :
 Laboratorium ( Gas Sampling +Analysis )
 In situ test :
- Combustible gas detector/explosimeter ( special )
- Oxygen-meter ( special )
- Draeger tube & pump ( extensively used )

GAS FREE CERTIFICATION

 Certificate of Gas free can be issued, if the result of gas

detection throghout the subject confined space comply
with the criteria of “Gas Free”
If no, Report of Unsuitability shall be issued.
 OXYGEN DEFICIENCY/ DEPLETION
Oxygen in confined spaces will decrease due to :
 Oxidation/corrosion happens on the surface ( wall, bottom &
interior )
 Oxidation to the residual solid cargo ( reducing substances ),
such as :
 Vegetable oil ( contains unsaturated fatty acids )
 Monomer atau olefins (VCM, VAM, acetylene, propylene,
butadiene etc).
Remarks : Oxygen depletion cause health hazards for human,
even death.
 Effect of Oxygen depletion
for human health ( emphirical data ) :

No. O2 content Effect for human health

1. 20.8% Good for health ( without wearing breathing app.)

2. 19,5% Lower limit of direct breathing without breathing app.

3. 17% Muscle cramp, heavy breath

4. 12% Headache, dizziness & weak

5. 9% Unconscious within a short time

6. 6% In a few minute, hearth attack/ failure & death

Other toxic substances contained in crude oil, such as: H2S, mercaptans,
SO2, vanadium & aromatics
 TYPICAL TOXICITY OF HYDROCARBON

No HC content Effect for human health

1. 0,1% Within 1 hour, eyes will be irritated

2. 0,2% • Eyes, nose & throat will be irritated

• Within 30 min : headache & nervous
3. 0,7% Within 15 min : headache & drunkard

4. 1,0% In a short time : drunkard, unconscious & might

cause death
5. 2,0% In a short time : might cause paralysis & death
 TLV OF VARIOUS PRODUCTS/ GASES/ VAPOR

No. Name of Product TLV in ppm Remarks

1. Light petroleum 500 FP = max. 22.8 °C
2. Butane 500 Asphyxiant/ simple
3. Benzene 25 Carcinogenic
4. Toluene 100 Carcinognic
5. Xylene 100 Carcinogenic
6. Methyl Bromide 15
7. Ammonia 25 Carcinogenic/ lever
8. Formaldehyde 2
9. Hydrogen disulphide 10
10. MIBK 100
11. Methanol 200 OTV = 2000 ppm, narcose
12. Carbon Monoxide 50 Systemic asphyxiant
 FLAMMABILITY LIMIT
( % BY VOLUME IN AIR )

1. METHANE = 5.3 % - 14.0 %

2. ETHANE = 3.1 % - 12.5 %
3. PROPANE = 2.1 % - 9.5 %
4. BUTANE = 1.8 % - 8.5 %
5. ETHYLENE = 3.0 % - 32.0 %
6. PROPYLENE = 2.0 % - 11.1 %
7. AMMONIA = 16.0 % - 25.0 %
8. VCM = 4.0 % - 33.0 %
9. NAPHTHA = 0.8 % - 5.0 %
10.GASOLINE = 1.4 % - 7.6 %
11.KEROSENE = 0.7 % - 5.0 %

REMARKS: FLAMMABILITY LIMIT = LEL to UEL

 FLAMMABILITY OF VARIOUS PRODUCTS

No. Name of Product Flammability Range, % b.v Remarks

1. Methane 5.3 - 14.0 FP = - 175 deg. C
2. Ethane 3.1 - 12.5 FP = - 125 deg. C
3. Propane 2.1 - 9.5 FP = - 105 deg. C
4. N-Butane 1.8 - 8.5 FP = - 60 deg. C
5. Naphtha 0.8 - 5.0
6. Mogas 1.4 - 7.6
7. Kerosene 0.7 - 5.0
8. Ethylene 3.0 - 32.0 FP = - 150 deg. C
9. Propylene 2.0 - 11.1 FP = - 180 deg. C
10. Ammonia 16.0 - 25.0 FP = - 57 deg. C
11. VCM 4.0 - 33.0 FP = - 78 deg. C
 WALL WASH TEST
Chemical test for cleanliness by washing/ spraying the dry
surface of tank wall, interior ( pipe, flanges etc) with chemical
reagent and thereafter test the samples collected.
The tests cover :
Chloride (inorganic) by using acidic solution of Silver Nitrate
( hazy, cloud or white particles indicate the presence of chloride)
Hydrocarbon by using methanol or aquadest ( turbid indicates
the presence of hydrocarbon )
Reducing substance by using Potash Permanganate (PTT min
50 – 60 minutes discolorization indicates the presence of
reducing substance )
 CARGO COMPATIBILITY
CRUDE OIL & PETROLEUM PRODUCT
1. Crude Oil:
•Paraffinic crude oil will easily freeze and block the
pipeline. It requires heating and flushing by lower viscosity
product, such as : gas oil.
•In general, OBQ of crude oil ( of another type ) is allowed
with maximum 1% by volume.
2. Naphtha will cantaminate :
•Lube Oil
•Avgas (Avgas turbo jet)
•Kerosine
•Kero based jet fuel
3. BLACK OIL or LUBE OIL will contaminate :
•Special Boiling Points (SBP)
•White spirit
•Avgas based tubo jet fuels
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
 Naphtha can be loaded, when aromatic content max. 40% that
potentially destructs coating.
 SBP & White Spirit can be loaded, when the several last cargoes are
clean product. When the last cargo is black oil/lube oil, SBP, white spirit
& another solvent cannot strictly loaded.
 Vegetable Oil & animal Oils:
- shall be free of leaded gasoline for 3 last cargoes
- the last cargo shall be clean products, black oil is absolutely
prohibited.
4. WAX (LSWR) will contaminate:
• Light fuel oil
• Low viscosity fuel oil
5. LEADED GASOLINE will contaminate :
• Vegetable oil & animal oil
• Catalytic reformer stock
• Platformer stock
6. VANADIUM will contaminate :
• Medium fuel oil
• Naphtha, solvent, kerosine, avgas etc
 TANK CLEANING IN GENERAL
PROCEDURE ( completed steps ) :
a. Pre-Cleaning: Butterworth with fresh or sea water.
b. Cleaning: Butterworth with fresh water + detergent/
solvent
c. Rinsing: Butterwoth with fresh water.
d. Flushing: Spraying with fresh water by using hose +nozzle
e. Steaming: Spraying with steam ( + solvent, N2, if needed )
f. Draining: Ejecting water at the tank bottom & stripping.
g. Drying: Weathering/ blowing with fresh air
h. Mopping with clean & white fabrics/ textile, if necessary.
 SOME DIFFICULTIES IN TANK CLEANING
a. Nature of the previous cargo:
• High boiling point and viscosity
• Insoluble or slightly dissolved in water
• Leaving residual odor
• Leaving residual unsaturated/ polymerized substances
• Containing inhibitor

b. Nature of intended cargo:

. Sensitive cargo ( solvent, reactive, polymerizable )

c. Nature of cleaning agent:

. Explosion mixture formation, leaving hard crystal etc

d. Miscellaneous : defect coating, rough surface etc.

 GAS FREEING & PURGING

Gas Freeing:
Removing residual gas ( toxic, flammable) and improve oxygen
content in a confined space ( cargo tank, pump room, engine room )
by using fresh air.
Gas Free: Fresh/breathable air = safe for men & fire
 Toxic gases: below TLV
 Sufficient oxygen : 20.8% by vol.
 Flammable gas: below LEL, max 10% of LEL
 Free of potential of flammable gas within the subject space and
sorroundings.
 PURGING/ GASING UP

Improving/ lowering oxygen content by using:

 Inert gas ( for lowering oxygen content )
 Methane
 Nitrogen ( for extremely lowering oxygen content )
 Loading vapor ( for extremely lowering oxygen content )
This method is applied for loading oxygen sensitive products
( flammable, oxidation, polimerization etc )
 INERT GAS SYSTEM
● Inert Gas is self generated on board which is produced by
lowering SO2 content, moisture and solid particles of the flue gas.
● Typical composition of Inert gas :
O2 = 3%
CO2 = 13%
SO2 = 0,02%
N2 = 77%
H2O = 0,125% wt
Solid Particles = 7.5 mg/m3
OBJECTIVE OF INERTING :
 Prevents from on fire or explosion
 Minimizes evaporation (Crude Oil)

APPLICATION OF INERT GAS :

 Ballast voyage
 Operation of Crude Oil Washing ( COW )
 Discharging Crude Oil
 Operation of gas freeing/purging
 CRUDE OIL WASHING (COW)
Tank washing onboard by using the cargo of crude oil during
unloading operation. The crude oil is circulated and sprayed to
whole surface of the vessel’s cargo tanks.
Sludge, semi solid substance/ hydrocarbon & clingage will be
completely removed/ dicharged.
COW is recommended in IMO Resolution A.46(II) revised edition &
MARPOL 73/78 Annex I reg.13B3.
COW is recommended for :
 All Crude Oil Tanker above 40,000 DWT
 All new Crude Oil Tanker built (>th’79) above 20,000 DWT
Crude oil fitted for COW:
 Max viscosity 600 cSt at discharge temperature.
 Max temperature 10 °C above Pour Point during discharge.
 ON SHORE INSPECTION

 Shore Tank Inspection : quality, quantity & conditions

 Shore Pipe-Line Inspection : fullness, segregation, foreign
materials, leaking, slopping etc.
Cargo Hoses Inspection : max allowable pressure, cleanliness
 Loading Arm Inspection
 Shore Manifolds Inspection
 Sampling
 GOOD LUCK

THANK YOU
FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION