Exam Question
(a) Sketch a line diagram showing a typical 'Inert Gas System' used for inerting the cargo tanks of oil tankers, labelling the component parts.
(b) Describe the system.
Class 4 (4th Engineer)
MEKG
📅 Sep 2024
Reference Answer
### (b) Description of the Inert Gas System
The Inert Gas (IG) system on an oil tanker is a critical safety system designed to prevent explosions in cargo tanks. Its primary function is to reduce the oxygen concentration within the tank atmosphere to a level where combustion cannot be sustained, typically below 8% by volume, as mandated by SOLAS. This is achieved by displacing the air with an inert gas, which is non-flammable and non-reactive.
#### Principle of Operation
The principle is based on the 'fire triangle' (Heat, Fuel, Oxygen). By replacing the oxygen-rich air in the cargo tanks with inert gas, the oxygen leg of the triangle is removed. This process, known as 'inerting', creates a non-flammable atmosphere, providing protection against fire and explosion during all phases of tanker operation, including loading, discharging, tank cleaning, and passage.
The Inert Gas (IG) system on an oil tanker is a critical safety system designed to prevent explosions in cargo tanks. Its primary function is to reduce the oxygen concentration within the tank atmosphere to a level where combustion cannot be sustained, typically below 8% by volume, as mandated by SOLAS. This is achieved by displacing the air with an inert gas, which is non-flammable and non-reactive.
#### Principle of Operation
The principle is based on the 'fire triangle' (Heat, Fuel, Oxygen). By replacing the oxygen-rich air in the cargo tanks with inert gas, the oxygen leg of the triangle is removed. This process, known as 'inerting', creates a non-flammable atmosphere, providing protection against fire and explosion during all phases of tanker operation, including loading, discharging, tank cleaning, and passage.
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