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Vapour given off by a flammable liquid while carrying at sea
Vapour given off by a flammable liquid will burn when ignited provided it
is mixed with certain proportions of air, or more accurately with the
oxygen in air. But if there is too little or too much vapour compared to the
air, so that the vapour-and-air mixture is either too lean or too rich, it will
not burn.
The limiting proportions, expressed as a percentage by volume of
flammable vapour in air, are known as the lower flammable limit (LFL)
and the upper flammable limit (UFL), and the zone, in between is the
flammable range. The range of flammable vapour concentrations in air
between the lower and (Explosive Range) upper flammable limits.
Mixtures within this range are capable of being ignited and of burning.
Combustion of a vapour-and-air mixture results in a very considerable
expansion of gases which, if constricted in an enclosed space, can raise
pressure rapidly to the point of explosive rupture. In addition, a
flammable liquid must itself be at or above a temperature high enough
for it to give off sufficient vapour for ignition to occur. This temperature is
known as the flash point.
Some cargoes evolve flammable vapour at ambient temperatures, others
only at higher temperatures or when heated. Safe handling procedures
depend upon the flammability characteristics of each product. Non-
combustible cargoes are those which do not evolve flammable vapours.
The fire risk presented by a flammable cargo depends upon the oxygen
content of the atmosphere above it. By filling the ullage space in a cargo
tank with an inert gas such as nitrogen or the output of an oil fired inert
gas generator, the oxygen content can be reduced to a level at which the
atmosphere will no longer support combustion of flammable vapour. This
is known as inerting a tank.
But it is important to remember that an inerted atmosphere may become
flammable again if air is admitted, for instance during routine measuring
or on venting the mixture to atmosphere or during gas freeing with air
An inert atmosphere must not be considered as being without hazard,
however, as without enough oxygen it will not support life either. Any
person entering a tank which has been inerted must always follow strict
procedures for entry into enclosed spaces.
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Related info
1. Toxicology and associated hazards onboard chemical tankers
Toxicity is the ability of a substance, when inhaled, ingested, or
absorbed by the skin, to cause damage to living tissue, impairment
of the central nervous system, severe illness or, in extreme cases,
death. The amounts of exposure required to produce these results
vary widely with the nature of the substance and the duration of
exposure to it. ....
2. Hazards of vapour given off by a flammable liquid while carrying at
sea
Vapour given off by a flammable liquid will burn when ignited
provided it is mixed with certain proportions of air, or more
accurately with the oxygen in air. But if there is too little or too
much vapour compared to the air, so that the vapour-and-air
mixture is either too lean or too rich, it will not burn. ....
3. Reactivity of various noxious liquid chemicals
Self-reaction: The most common form of self-reaction is
polymerisation. Polymerisation generally results in the conversion
of gases or liquids into viscous liquids or solids. It may be a slow,
natural process which only degrades the product without posing
any safety hazards to the ship or the crew, or it may be a rapid,
exothermic reaction evolving large amounts of heat and gases. .....
4. Most corrosive chemicals carried onboard chemical tankers
Acids, anhydrides and alkalis are among the most commonly
carried corrosive substances. They can rapidly destroy human
tissue and cause irreparable damage. They can also corrode normal
ship construction materials, and create a safety hazard for a ship.....
5. Posoning hazards & first aid treatment
The poison is a very toxic substance which when absorbed into the
human body by ingestion, skin absorption, or inhalation produces a
serious or fatal effect. Poison may enter the human body orally, by
inhalation, or by skin contact. After being absorbed by the body it
may affect certain organs or give a general poisonous effect. Lately
the cancerogene effects of some industrial chemicals have been
noticed. This has led to significant reductions of hereto accepted
TLV- values in many countries.....
6. Specific gravity,Vapour pressure and boiling point,Electrostatic
charging & measuring Viscosity
Tanks on a Chemical Tanker are normally designed to load cargoes
of a higher specific gravity than an oil tanker. Very often the design
strength differs between groups of tanks on the same ship. ....
7. General precautions onboard chemical tankers
Additional precautions for specific cargoes are necessary and
should also be incorporated in the ship’s cargo handling
procedures....
8. Mooring precautions onboard chemical tankers
The consequences of a chemical tanker ranging along a jetty or
breaking away from a berth could be disastrous, especially during a
cargo transfer involving multiple different chemicals. Correct and
sufficient mooring is therefore of the utmost importance.
9. Berth precautions onboard chemical tankers
If an unauthorised craft comes alongside or operates in an area
which may create a danger, it should be reported to the port
authority and, if necessary, cargo transfer operations should cease.
.....
10. Cold weather countermeasures, avoiding electric storms
During cold weather, precautions should be taken to prevent
equipment and systems from freezing. Attention should be given to
pneumatic valves and control systems, fire lines and hydrants,
steam driven equipment, cargo heating systems, pressure/vacuum
valves etc......
11. Restriction on using radio equipments and other mobile devices in
cargo working areas
During medium and high frequency radio transmissions significant
energy is radiated, which can create a danger of incendive sparking
by inducing an electrical potential in unearthed steelwork.
12. Securing cargo tank lids and required safety precautions
Improper closing and sealing of cargo tank hatches can be a major
cause of cargo contamination. A properly closed and sealed tank
hatch/opening will prevent sea water ingress and maintain a
positive pressure Nitrogen blanket in the ullage space. ....
13. Means of access (gangways or accommodation ladders) safety
precautions
Emergency towing-off wires ( fire wires) ,Ship’s readiness to move
Deckhouses and superstructures safety precautions .....
14. Precautions against static electricity
Static electricity is generated by friction that occurs between
different materials during relative motion. Electrostatic charges can
then accumulate in materials which are poor conductors of
electricity or which are good conductors but are insulated.....
15. Cargo tank entry safety precautions
On chemical tankers the entry of personnel into cargo tanks is a
more common practice than on oil tankers as a result of the
requirement for inspections between grades etc; despite this, it is
essential that the necessary checks are conscientiously made and
recorded prior to entry in order to ensure the safety of personnel,
enclosed space rescue equipment must be made ready for
immediate use. .....
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|||Special cargoes |||Spills emergencies |||Fire protection
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