Handling LPG and ammonia cargo - preparation for loading

preparation for loading

(1) LPG is loaded through the manifold by using different liquid lines
for propane and butane into each allotted tanks by way of filling
valves in the bottom.
(2) As the tank pressure rises in the process of loading, cargo is
loaded with gas inside being drawn out by using compressors
through the vapor suction on the top of each tank, and then
returned to cargo tanks in the form of liquid after reliquefying by
the reliquefaction plant on board.

Operating Method
(1) Air purge and leak test of loading arms in the manifold section.
Air is purged from the loading arms, and at the same time leaks
from the loading arm connections are checked, in either of the
following two methods after their connection, and it is confirmed
that the oxygen concentration is less than 1%.
i) Nitrogen gas is injected at the roots of loading arms on the shore
side and air is purged from manifold drain valves on the vessel and
the concentration of oxygen is measured. By the injection of
nitrogen gas pressure is applied on the manifold section and leaks
from the connections are also checked.
ii) A drain hose of the shore side is connected to the manifold drain
valve on the ships side and air is purged by making use of remnant
pressure in the loading rm through the following route : loading arm
=> manifold => drain valve => drain hose => shore. The
concentration of oxygen is measured on the shore by checking gas
discharged from the drain hose. As the remnant pressure is used,

the pressure is not so high to conduct a leak test.

iii) Air is pushed out from manifold drain valves on the ships side
into the atmosphere by the remnant pressure in the loading arms.
In this case flammable gas is discharged on to the upper deck, and
due caution is necessary to remove ignition sources.
iv) By supplying inert gas into the manifold through an inert gas line
and releasing gas into the atmosphere from drain valves, the vessel
can purge air by herself.
(2) Cooldown of liquid lines and arms and leak checks of lines:
When the cargo loading operation begins, liquid is transferred at a
very slow rate thereby pre-cooling liquid lines and enabling leak
checks. After confirming that the temperature of liquid lines are in
the order of below -35C in the case of propane and 0 degree C in
the case of butane, and no abnormal condition is observed, the
cargo loading rate should be increased in sequence.
(3) Trim during loading operations:
Water ballast is discharged as the loading operation is in progress,
and such operation should be carried out so that no excessive
stresses may be imposed on the hull and that no excessive trim is
created.
(4) Tank pressure during loading operations:
While loading, care is required to keep the tank pressure constant at
a specified value.
(5) Disposal of remaining liquid and disconnection of loading arms
after completion of loading:
After completion of cargo work, remaining liquid in the loading arms
is disposed of in one of the following manners; and the arm
disconnecting operation is carried out after checking to see that the
concentration of flammable gas is 1 Vol % or less.

i) Method by which liquid and gas are pushed into the lines of the
vessel by introducing nitrogen gas from the shore side. It is a
method by which nitrogen gas is introduced at the roots of loading
arms on the shore side to push remaining liquid and gas into cross
over lines, and the following checks are made through drain valves :
whether liquid still remains or not; and the concentration of
remnant gas.
ii) Method by which remaining liquid is discharged into the sea With
the manifold gate valve closed, a plastic hose is connected to the
manifold drain valve, and is then led into the sea water overboard;
through the hose remaining liquid is discharged into the sea. At this
instant the end of the plastic hose should be slightly put into the
sea; it should be adjusted so that it may not be placed too deep or
above the sea surface.

iii) Method by which nitrogen gas or inert gas is let in from the
manifold drain pipe to push liquid to the crossover line of the vessel
and to purge gas via the inert gas line into the vapor line. A shore
pipe line is connected with the manifold liquid drain pipe through
which nitrogen gas is supplied to press remaining liquid into
crossover lines of the vessel. After disposing of the remaining liquid,
gas is purged on to the shore by sending remaining gas through
vapor lines via inert gas lines.

Related Information:

1. General precautions and instructions for gas carrier

2. Cargo machinery room safety precautions

3. Toxicity and associated health hazards in liquefied gas carrier

4. Liquefied gas cargo handling equipment

Cargo Information - physical and chemical properties necessary for

the safe containment of the cargo
Safety guideline for changing previous cargo
Boil-off & Vaporized Gas (BVG) Management System for LNG cargo
Liquefied gases - How to remove all cargo liquid from tanks
LPG & Ammonia cargo handling -Precautions on cargo operation
The risk of ballast voyage - a brief guide to liquefied gas carriers
Discussion prior to cargo transfer in liquefied gas carrier
The risk of discharging cargo - a brief outline to liquefied gas
carriers
Connection and disconnection of cargo hoses and hard
arms
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