AUTOMATIC UNLOADING SYSTEM

1.General
This system is provided to improve the efficiency of stripping work. It can perform complete stripping
work by the cargo oil pump (hereinafter called pump) alone.
The features of this system are as follows:
(1)Since most of stripping work is automated, pump operation is very easy.
(2)Since stripping work can be done by large capacity pumps alone instead of conventional small
capacity reciprocating strip pumps, unloading time can be reduced.
2.Basic principle and actions
The basic principle of this system is to automatically prevent the suction of gas into the pump.By doing
so, the completion of stripping by the pump alone becomes possible.
(1)Removal of gas from pump suction pipe
The gas sucked in from the suction bell-mouth and the cargo oil vapour produced in the suction pipe are
separated from the cargo oil in the separator and gathers at the upper part. These gases are extracted by
the vacuum pump out of the top of the separator.
Discharge control valve (hereinafter called discharge valve) for preventing pump from sucking in gas.
When a large volume of gas comes into the separator in the stripping stage, its liquid level becomes
very low.
When a large volume of gas is sucked into the pump, pumping becomes impossible.
In order to prevent this condition, the discharge valve is controlled to the degree corresponding to the
liquid level in the separator (hereinafter called separator level) and the pump discharge flow is
adjusted.
When the separator level falls excessively, the discharge valve is throttled to decrease the sucking
amount of gas from the bell-mouth and it prevents the suction of gas into the pump.
When the separator level falls below the minimum set value , the discharge valve is fully closed.
3.Function of components
(1)Separator
This is tank to separate the gas sucked in through the bell-mouth and the cargo oil vapour produced in
the suction line from cargo oil. The separated gas is extracted by the vacuum pump through the gas
extraction pipe connected to the top of the separator.
(2)Level transmitter
This is consisted with main body (differential pressure measuring portion and pneumatic signal
converting portion) and low/high pressure detectors (diaphragm seal type).Pressure detector is connected
with main body via lead(filled with sealed liquid) and low/high pressure detectors are fitted to upper and
lower part of separator. Static pressure (basic pressure) of sealed liquid of lead and static pressure of
separator liquid level which is transmitted from high pressure side diaphragm are acting to the main
body. The gas pressure in the separator acts evenly on both sides of the low/high pressure detectors and
thus its effect is cancelled, so that the main body only measures the differential pressure of both static
pressures. This measured differential pressure is converted into pneumatic signal as a separator level
and transmitted to cargo control console.
(3)Discharge valve
This is of butterfly type valve driven by pneumatic cylinder and controls the pump discharge capacity.
This valve is remote-controlled by the valve opening signal (automatic control or manual control signal)
from A/M selector.

(4)Valve position transmitter

This transmitter, which is installed on the discharge valve , converts the opening of discharge valve into
pneumatic signal and transmits it to the valve position gauge on the cargo control console.
(5)Vacuum pump
This is of horizontal water ring type. This is driven by the motor through the intermediate shaft which
passes through the bulkhead, and extracts the gas separated in the separator and discharge it to the clop
tank.
This pump is automatically started and stopped by the pressure switches which are operated by the
pneumatic signal from the level transmitter.
By means of the control switch, manual start and stop can be also made.
(6)Sealing water tank
This is tank to separate the gas from sealing water which is discharged from vacuum pump and to hold
the sealing water necessary for the vacuum pump function.
(7)Suction valve
This is of screw-down check angle valve fixed on the suction flange of vacuum pump.
When the vacuum pump stops, this valve closes to prevent sealing water and gas from flowing back to
the gas extraction line.
(8)Gas extraction valve
This is of pneumatically operated piston type installed on the gas extraction line and is opened and
closed by the solenoid valve control led through the pressure switch.
This valve is in the same system as the automatic start and stop circuit of vacuum pump and opens when
separator level is less than 50% and closes when it returns to 100% or more.
(9)A/M selector
This is used to change over the discharge valve to automatic or manual control. By setting the A/M
selector at MANUAL, it can be remotely operated by manual loader to get any opening.
(10)Solenoid valve
The valve is controlled by the pressure switches operated through the pneumatic signal from the level
transmitter, and opens and closes the gas extraction valve by changing over the gas extraction valve
operating pneumatic line.
(11)Positioner
This is fitted on the discharge valve and it corresponds the discharge valve opening to the opening signal
from the A/M selector.
(12)Booster relay
The booster relay, which are provided on the open side and shut side of pneumatic cylinder respectively,
change over the loading pneumatic line of pneumatic cylinder through the pilot signal transmitted from
the positioner to open or close the discharge valve.
(13)Lock valve
This is fitted on the discharge valve and it locks the discharge valve opening in case of the driving air
pressure drops abnormally low.
(14)Speed controller
The speed controllers, which are provided on the open side and shut side of pneumatic cylinder
respectively, controls the opening/closing speed of the discharge valve.
4.Operating procedure of system (AUS)
(1)While the liquid level in the cargo oil tank (hereinafter called tank level) is high, this system does not
work.

(2)As the tank level falls, the suction pressure also falls and approaches the vapour pressure of the
pumping liquid.In this case part of the pumping liquid will turn to vapour and accumulates in the top of
the separator and as a result the separator level begins to fall.
(3)When the separator level falls down to below 50%, the pressure switch is actuated by a pneumatic
signal from the level transmitter and the vacuum pump starts. At the same time , the gas extraction valve
opens and the discharge valve is throttled.
(4)When the separator level recovers above 70%, the gas extraction valve closes and 10 seconds later,
the vacuum pump ctops.
The discharge valve opens.
(5)Every time the vapour of pumping liquid accumulates in the separator top, the above mentioned
conditions (3) and (4) are repeated and thus the unloading work is advanced while the suction of gases
by the pump is being prevented.
(6)When the tank level further falls (e.g. when the bottom longitudinals of the hull appear above the oil
surface), eddy begins to occur around the bell-mouth. Soon, when the bottom of the depression of this
eddy (gas column) reaches the bottom face of the bell-mouth, gas begins to be sucked into the bellmouth.
(7)The gas sucked in is separated from the pumping liquid in the separator and accumulates in its top,
lowering the separator level. Hereupon the action described in (3) and (4) above is repeated.
(8)When the tank level further falls, the liquid surface around the bell-mouth comes to wave violently
and a large volume of gas comes to be sucked in directly from the bottom face of the bell-mouth. Under
such condition, even though the vacuum pumps are operated, the separator level falls to a great extent.
(9)As a result, the signal air pressure of the level transmitter falls excessively, greatly reducing the
opening degree of the discharge valve, namely the pump discharge flow decreases considerably.
In consequence, the speed of the pumping liquid flowing into the bell-mouth decreases and the wave
motion of the liquid surface around it becomes small.
Thus the volume of the gas sucked into the bell-mouth decreases.
(10)When the volume of the gas sucked in becomes less than the, extraction capacity of the vacuum
pump, the separator level begins to rise. At the same time the discharge valve opens gradually and the
pump discharge flow begins to increase.
(11)As the result, the volume of the gas sucked in begins to increase again, the separator level falls and
the discharge valve is throttled.
(12)In this way the conditions described in (10) and (11) are repeated and the tank level further falls.
During this time the vacuum pump is continuously operated.
(13)When the tank level falls excessively, the separator level falls excessively due to excessive volume
of the gas sucked in and the discharge valve comes to be completely closed. Hereupon the separator
level rises a little and as the discharge valve opens a little the volume of the gas sucked in becomes
excessive again and the discharge valve is completely closed again.
When the separator level becomes below 5%, the red lamp (LOW SEPARATOR LEVEL) lights,
showing that the unloading work has entered the stripping stage.
(14)Thus, as the stripping of cargo tank advances, even though the vacuum pump is continuously
operated, the separator level does not rise, as the result it so happens that the discharge valve remains
completely closed from time to time.
(15)The continuation of this condition for a long time means that there is no residual liquid to be
unloaded. When the red lamp (LOW SEPARATOR LEVEL) is ON for a certain (3mm.) the red lamp
(COMPLETION OF STRIPPING) flickers and the buzzer sounds by each action of the pressure switch
and time-lag relay, thus showing the completion of unloading work.