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N2 Padding

The document discusses procedures for nitrogen padding or blanketing of chemical tankers. Nitrogen is used to prevent air or water from entering cargo tanks and potentially causing dangerous reactions as tanks cool after loading. Detailed steps are provided for blanketing cargo tanks after loading using different methods and for maintaining nitrogen blankets during voyages.

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efendi kaptan
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© © All Rights Reserved
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103 views

N2 Padding

The document discusses procedures for nitrogen padding or blanketing of chemical tankers. Nitrogen is used to prevent air or water from entering cargo tanks and potentially causing dangerous reactions as tanks cool after loading. Detailed steps are provided for blanketing cargo tanks after loading using different methods and for maintaining nitrogen blankets during voyages.

Uploaded by

efendi kaptan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nitrogen padding or blanketing requirement for chemical

tankers

Why nitrogen padding ?

Nitrogen is used on Chemical Tankers as the primary Inert Gas for cargo
quality control and / or for safety reasons. The requirements for the use of
nitrogen, in respect to cargo handling, are either dictated by the IBC/BCH
Codes for tank environment control or when the cargo quality / customers
require it.

Nitrogen Blanketing or Padding is used to establish a positive pressure on


a tank which has already been filled with product in order to prevent the
ingress of air or water as the tank cools and thus prevent a possible
dangerous reaction / damage between the cargo and water/air.

A responsible Officer must supervise the blanketing procedures. The


Officer in charge must ensure that all personnel not involved in these
operations are restricted from the area. Note that padding via the cargo
lines (bubbling through the cargo) is only recommended for low viscose
cargoes.

Following are procedures for 3 different methods of


blanketing. Blanketing is to be carried out after gauging and sampling

Blanketing After Loading With Open Venting / Gauging

Blanketing after open venting will normally not create any danger /
hazards but the following care must be exercised:

1. In some cases the shore will supply the Nitrogen through the same
hose / line through which the cargo was loaded. Then supply
pressure must be sufficient to cover some liquid head in the tank
plus PV setting. In these cases, this information must be discussed
during the preload conference. The discussion should include what
precautions the shore will take to make sure the operation is done
through a small hose and that the rate will not exceed the capacity
of the vent capacity of the tank cargo. Any problems with the shore
not being able to comply must be brought to the attention of the
management Office before the operation is carried out.

2. Care must be taken that the cargo does not overflow from the tank.
Blanketing After Loading with Controlled Venting / Closed or
Restricted Gauging, Without Vapour Return

1. Where possible, fit a pressure gauge to the tank (scale minus 0.5 to
plus 1.0 bar). On some vessels the secondary venting system
consisting of tank vapour pressure sensor will provide continuous
reading of tank vapour pressure.

2. Place the P/V-valve gas freeing cover in open position.

3. For ship supplied Nitrogen, connect N2 supply hose to cargo line at


manifold or applicable tank connection.

4. In some cases the shore will supply the Nitrogen through the same
hose / line which the cargo loaded. In these cases this information
must be discussed during the preload conference. The discussion
should include what precautions the shore will take to make sure the
operation is done through a small hose and that the rate will not
exceed the vent capacity of the cargo tank.

In all cases it is important that the volume of Nitrogen being


supplied (size of the line and pressure refer to the guideline charts
in the ICS Chemical Tanker Safety Guide is not greater than that
which the P/V can handle. Any problems with the shore not being
able to comply must be brought to the attention of the Management
Office before the operation is carried out.

5. Ensure the cargo line valves to the tank are open.

6. Carefully open the valve controlling the Nitrogen supply.

7. Closely monitor the pressure in the tank during the blanketing.


8. When the required tank atmosphere is reached shut off Nitrogen
supply and close the valves.

9. Place the P/V-valve in automatic position and close the gas freeing
cover.

10. If a positive pressure is required, slowly re-open Nitrogen


supply closely monitoring the pressure.

11. When the required pressure is reached, shut down the


Nitrogen supply and close all valves.

Blanketing After Loading with Controlled Venting / Closed or


Restricted Gauging, With Vapour Return

1. Where possible, fit a pressure gauge to the tank (scale minus 0.5 to
plus 1.0 bar). On some vessels the secondary venting consisting of
tank vapour pressure sensor will provide continuous reading of tank
vapour pressure.

2. Ensure that the vapour return system remains open throughout the
blanketing operation.

3. For ship supplied Nitrogen connect N2 supply hose to cargo line at


manifold or applicable tank connection

4. In some cases the shore will supply the Nitrogen through the same
hose / line which the cargo loaded. The N2 supply pressure must be
sufficient to overcome liquid head in the tank. In these cases this
information must be discussed during the preload conference. The
discussion should include what precautions the shore will take to
make sure the operation is done through a small hose and that the
rate will not exceed the vent capacity of the cargo tank.

In all cases it is important that the volume of Nitrogen being


supplied (size of the line and pressure refer to the guideline charts
in the ICS Chemical Tanker Safety Guide is not greater than that
which the P/V can handle. Any problems with the shore not being
able to comply must be brought to the attention of the Management
Office before the operation is carried out.

 Ensure the appropriate valve(s) to the tank are open

 Carefully open the valve controlling the Nitrogen supply

 Closely monitor the pressure in the tank during the blanketing

 When the required atmosphere is reached, shut off the Nitrogen


supply and close the valves including the vapour return system
(ship’s valve).

 If a positive pressure is required upon competition of blanketing,


reduce the Nitrogen supply pressure.

 Slowly throttle down the vapour return valve

 When the required pressure is reached, shut down the Nitrogen


supply and close the valves including the vapour return valve.

 WARNING: Never over pressurise a cargo tank (above the P/V valve
setting)
Handling Nitrogen during voyage

When a Nitrogen blanket has been placed on a cargo, it is imperative that


the quality of N2 and blanket is maintained according to instructions
received.

For certain cargoes, the IBC/BCH codes specify that the blanket has to be
maintained under positive pressure. Some shippers may, in addition to
any regulatory requirement, set their own requirements for some cargoes
to be carried with Nitrogen blanket under positive pressure.

Whenever a ship has been advised of the requirement for a Nitrogen


blanket to be maintained under positive pressure, it is very important that
the positive pressure is maintained always during the voyage.

Nitrogen blanket with positive pressure

1. Prepare for Automatic feeding of the Nitrogen

2. For ships not equipped with remote pressure readings


(computerised), a pressure gauge (scale minus 0.5 to plus 1.0 bar)
should be used when taking pressure readings

3. Immediately after placing the blanket after loading, the pressure


must be closely monitored for a period to verify that the tank is
holding the pressure.

4. If problems are encountered in maintaining the positive pressure, a


thorough check must be carried out and any leaks must be rectified.

5. When the tank and line system are verified tight, then the
arrangement for automatic feeding of Nitrogen is to be activated /
utilised.
6. The positive pressure of the Nitrogen blanket should be maintained
50 mBar always, unless otherwise specified by the Charterer (P/V
valves are normally set to lift at 200mBar).

7. At regular intervals, not exceeding 12 hours, take readings of and


record the pressure. In the interim period ensure that the “shut off
valve” between the tank and the pressure gauge (if remains on
between readings) is closed / secured.

8. Record daily the consumption of Nitrogen, pressure & O2 log.

Nitrogen Blanket Without Positive Pressure

1. Check and record the ullage space environment (oxygen content or


dew point) immediately after the blanket has been put on after
loading

2. If no instruction to maintain O2 or the pressure of N2, then do not


to add N2 during voyage.

3. Record daily the pressure and O2 log.

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