Inert Gas (IG) Venting on Loaded Passage - VOCON Guideline

Standard Operating Practices

Doc No:

SP0101

Version:

Purpose
To provide guidance on monitoring and controlling inert gas pressure to reduce the loss of cargo
and prevent unnecessary release of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Scope
This applies to all vessels that are certified under Teekay Shipping Limiteds Document of
Compliance.

Background
When transporting crude oils, particularly at the start of a loaded voyage, a large build up of gas
pressure is often registered on the inert gas pressure gauge, either on the vessels bridge or in the
cargo control room. A similar increase of pressure may also be experienced during the voyage due
to the diurnal variation of temperature as outlined in IG Venting - Thermal Expansion, High RVP
Cargoes (RF0055). This increase in pressure prompts a controlled release of gas through the
vessels Mast Riser. The vessel can establish when, and at what pressure, a manually controlled
release of gas pressure becomes necessary for the safe operation of the vessel. However, if gas
pressure is released beyond what is required to reduce and stabilize the atmospheric pressure of
the cargo tank, then excess cargo vapours could be unnecessarily released to the atmosphere,
causing a loss of cargo and air pollution.
The steps provided below, are based on unsaturated gas from the inert gas supply, and saturated
hydrocarbons from the crude oil cargo in the vapour system. By utilizing the different physical
characteristics of each gas, the correct stopping point for the manually controlled pressure release,
can be identified and used to avoid the unnecessary release of hydrocarbon vapours into the
atmosphere.

Responsibility
Master

Establishing when, and at what pressure, a manually controlled release of pressure becomes
necessary for the safe operation of the vessel.

Arranging to supplement this procedure with cooling of the vessels cargo tank deck area if
deemed necessary.

Chief Officer

Ensuring release of gas pressure from the tanks is carried out in a safe manner to minimize
the hazards associated with vented gases from the vessels cargo tank system.

Advising the Master if unable to comply with this procedure.

Advising the Master if required to supplement this procedure with cooling of the vessels cargo
tank deck area.

Ensuring that other personnel involved in venting gases from cargo oil tanks understand the
procedure.

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Inert Gas (IG) Venting on Loaded Passage - VOCON Guideline

Doc No:

SP0101

Version:

Officer of the Watch

Ensuring release of gas pressure from the tanks in a safe manner to minimize the hazards
associated with vented gases from the vessels cargo tank system.

Guideline
The first VOC release at the start of a loaded passage.

Arrange to release the cargo system pressure if the same is close to a pre-determined high level
(A mm/Aq).

Arrange to plot the pressure drop by use of IG pressure recorder, and increasing the paper
speed on the system.

Note the pressure in the inert gas pipeline system before opening the mast riser.

Open the pressure release valve and record and monitor the pressure within the inert gas
pipeline at regular short intervals (every 30 seconds for a mast riser release or every minute for
a P/V valve release).

Plot a continuous pressure drop profile.

Close the valve and stop the release when, after the initial rapid pressure drop, the rate of
pressure drop becomes constant. The sample graph in IG Venting - Thermal Expansion, High
RVP Cargoes (RF0055) provides guidance.

Close the release valve anyway if the drop of pressure is plotted as a straight line and no
inflection is observed by 800 mm Aq.

Note the IG pressure (B mm/Aq).

Subsequent VOC release during a loaded passage.

Carry out IG pressure release as required to maintain the IG pressure between A B mm/Aq.

In case of an increase in cargo temperature, refer to and implement the procedure required for
the first VOC release.

Record all ventings in the IGS Operation and Maintenance Record Book.

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