inert gas system alarms

What are The Alarms and Trips of Inert Gas System?

Last Updated on May 24, 2020 by Amit Abhishek

The inert gas system with its alarms and trips is compulsory safety equipment on oil tankers under the SOLAS Convention; Which also covers the rules and operation of the inert gas system to prevent any explosion on tanker ships. Chapter two (1/4.5.5 and 2/16.3.3) of SOLAS make it compulsory for tanker ships of above 8000 Dwt (New) and 20,000 Dwt (Old rule up-to 2016) to have the inert gas system installed.

They are installed to avoid a high risk of explosion/Fire during the cargo operation. As air mixed with hydrocarbon vapors under flammable reason could be hazardous on the ship. A ship can have a dedicated inert gas generator or inert gas system with inert gas produced from boiler exhaust to avoid such a scenario.

What is the Inert Gas and Inert Gas System on Tankers?

Inert gas is a mixture of gases with not enough oxygen which can create or sustain explosion/Combustion. Typically inert gas used on tankers contains 2 to 5 percent of oxygen; 13 to 17 percent of carbon dioxide and balanced nitrogen. They are obtained by cleaning flue gas from the boiler or individual inert gas generator.

Flue gas from the boiler is generally preferred as it is not just cheap but also easily available and easy to obtain a 2-5% oxygen level by controlling combustion parameters. It also satisfies the other requirement for inert gas as it does not react to cargo material, isn’t toxic, and easy to produce.

While the inert gas system is an integral part of safety (Operation and equipment) for the normal operation of the ship. It pumps inert gas into the tanks during the cargo operation. On the flammability diagram, it can be seen as the decreasing gap between the UFL ( Upper flammability limit ) and LFL ( Lower Flammability limit ). The UFL and LFL meet at point E; but inert gas is pumped in until it reaches to the point F represented on the diagram.

Flamability Diagram

Now during cargo discharge, if the tank atmosphere is diluted with air (Oxygen); it will follow a dangerous path FA. From the diagram itself, we can see that the path FA pass through the flammable range and so can be hazardous. So to avoid such a scenario; inert gas is purged into the tank before and during the cargo operation ( Discharging ).

By purging inert gas into the tanks, Oxygen-Hydrocarbon mixture is taken to point H from F. Now any further dilution with air while discharging won’t cause any risks to the ship; as the line HA represented on the flammability diagram don’t pass through the flammable range.

Now suppose for some reason the tanks are filled with less inert gas than required. Then during discharging it will miss the flammable range by a small margin.

Q.Why Inert Gas is Required on Ship?

An oil tanker carries different grades of oil which produce a high amount of highly commutable hydrocarbon vapors. Air is already in plenty all over the world with a different source of heat (Boiler, hot work, smoking, charge-discharge etc.) available onboard. When hydrocarbon vapor mixed with air; it can lead to explosion damaging ship structure and crew.

To ensure safe operation of ship; the Tank atmosphere is maintained under safe limits by using the inert gas system. Basically, hydrocarbon vapors cannot burn in an atmosphere of less than 11% of oxygen by volume. So the oxygen level is always maintained much below that figure with the help of inert gas pumped into the tanks.

Flammability range decrease with an increase in inert gas concentration; generally inert gas is pumped into the tanks until the upper flammability limit and lower flammability limit coincides. No hydrocarbon – oxygen gas mixture can burn under such conditions. The inert gas system is essential for ship safety, it does not just provide inert gas with oxygen 5% by volume but also helps maintain positive pressure in tanks.

Component and Layout of Inert Gas System

A typical inert gas system consists of the following systems:-

  1. Boiler Uptake Valve: It is the supply valve for the flue gas to the inert gas system. It is also termed as an isolation valve as it can be used to isolate the system from the boiler.
  2. Scrubber: Flue gas from the boiler uptake came to the bottom of the scrubber; where it is washed by the spray of water and leaves from the top after passing through the baffles. Water is sprayed from the top to cool and clean; it makes it clear of more than 90% of sulfur dioxide and 100% of shoot particles.
  3. Demister: The flue gas became moist after leaving the scrubber tower; so to make it free of excess moisture demister is placed just after the scrubber tower.
  4. I.G Blowers: A steam-driven blower is fixed to supply the inert gas to the holds. Sometimes another electric driven blower is also fixed side by side for topping up.
  5. Pressure Regulating Valve: A pressure regulating or recirculating valve is fitted just after the I.G blower to recirculate the excess inert gas back to the scrubber to avoid excess load on the blowers when necessary.
  6. Oxygen Analyzer: It is a device fitted after the pressure regulating valve; it sounds an alarm if the oxygen level is more than 8% by volume.
  7. Deck Seal: A deck seal is installed in the system to avoid any back-flow of gases from the tank holds to the engine room. Generally, a wet type deck seal is proffered with a heating coil, low-level alarm, and rubber lined internals.
  8. Deck Isolation Valve: It is a valve that isolates the inert gas system into two half; engine sides and deck side.
  9. P-V Breaker: It is safety equipment for the system; as it protects the tanks from both being undercharged or overcharged conditions. They are provided with a flame trap on their vents to avoid any fire during the cargo operation.
  10. Mast Riser: During cargo loading, a mast riser provides the exit point for the excess I.G-hydrocarbon vapors to escape avoiding over pressurizing the cargo tanks.

Inert gas system

Working of I.G System

The idea of the inert gas system is to use the flue gas from the boiler uptake and then use them as an inert gas to avoid combustion, explosion, reduce cargo loss due to vaporization and assist cargo operation. The system is divided into two main parts based on production and distribution.

Inert gas is produced and then delivered to tanks through I.G blowers. The distribution system/channels are there to ensure they go to the right tank at the right time. Hot flue gas from the boiler exhaust is taken from the boiler uptake valve to the bottom of the scrubber tower. It is then washed and clean by the spray of water and a series of baffles before leaving at the top.

The flue gas from the scrubber tower is free of shoot and sulfur dioxide but contains a high amount of moisture. So it is then passed through a demister to remove moisture before leaving to the blower suction. The blower discharges the inert gas through the pressure regulating valve via deck seal and oxygen analyzer.

A deck seal acts as a non-return valve avoiding possible backflow. A relief valve is also fitted in between the deck seal and pressure regulating valve to vent gas in event of their failure. It then goes to the designated tanks through the deck supply/distribution lines passing deck isolation and supply valves.

Inert Gas System (Starting Procedure)

Careful consideration is required onboard for proper operation of the inert gas system. The oxygen content must always be maintained at 5 percent by volume; further reduction in oxygen content can lead to the mixing of impurities in gas that would be hard to separate. Certain precautions must be taken prior to starting the inert gas system.

Precautions

  1. Open all the related valves to the fuel burner; check there is adequate fuel for the operation (boiler/IGG).
  2. Turn on the electric power to the control panel.
  3. Water drain lines on the scrubber must be opened.
  4. Ensure the oxygen analyzer is working and calibrated.
  5. Set the pressure control setting for the inert gas in distribution lines.
  6. The set pressure control valve of the fuel burner.
  7. Ensure seawater supply to deck seal.
  8. Ensure the system lines are lined up.
  9. Start the inert gas generator before entering the port. (Actually, it is done to avoid dark black smokes coming out visible when it start).
Inert gas generator Control pannel
Inert gas generator Control panel

Starting Procedure

  1. Follow all the I.G system checklist as per the company guidelines.
  2. Ensure all cargo openings are closed.
  3. Line up the system prior to start.
  4. Take the above precautionary measures.
  5. Start the Inert gas system.
  6. Check for the readings of the oxygen analyzer.
  7. Supply inert gas to the deck opening I.G main supply valve.
  8. Monitor all pressure parameters.
  9. Monitor temperature and oxygen level of inert gas during the cargo operation.
  10. Increase the inert gas pressure before stopping the inert gas plant.

Note: The inert gas system is only operational during the cargo discharge; any abnormality during the process leads to stop cargo operation.

Alarms and Trips Installed on I.G System

Various safety equipment (Alarms and Trips) are installed to the inert gas system to help monitor and safeguard system, tank, and machinery.

  1. Pressure gauge installed on the water supply line to the scrubber tower.
  2. Low pressure (0.7) in the scrubber supply line raises the alarm and stop the IGG/Boiler.
  3. High water level alarms are fitted in scrubber tower which when sound initiates boiler shut down.
  4. High-temperature alarm for flue gas at the outlet of scrubber tower.
  5. Low seawater pressure Alarm and shutdown for deck seal (1.5 bar).
  6. Low-level alarm and shut down for water level in deck seal.
  7. High oxygen content alarm and shut down (more than 8% by volume).
  8. Other emergency stops and shut down.

The engine room is responsible for the production of inert gas while the chief officer or deck officer is responsible for its distribution and operation. So any alarm that comes in the system will sound in both the places.

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4 thoughts on “What are The Alarms and Trips of Inert Gas System?”

    1. We ( I and Arpit ) Appreciate that you find our post helpful! Thank you for your support and letting us know as it helps us do better.

      1. MOHAMMAD SHAH JALAL

        Thanks for sharing important article. I want to know what’s the actual alarm level of Scrubber tower & deak seal water level.

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