IS INERTING THE COMPLETE ANSWER TO TANKER EXPLOSIONS

In order for an explosion to occur in a cargo tank there must be fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition. The majority of the tanker industry attempts to prevent explosions by making the tank atmosphere too rich for ignition. This process has become extremely difficult in the newer large tankers and is relatively unsuccessful. Tanker owners are now turning to the use of tank inerting systems which prevent explosions by reducing the oxygen content of the atmosphere in the tank. Inerting is presently felt to be the most effective system but has one great drawback in that the maintenance of the inerting system is a constant consideration. There is no shoreside company offering complete system maintenance. Alternative systems of explosion prevention including high expansion foam and maintaining the atmosphere in an over rich condition are being studied, but greater use of the tank inerting systems is predicted for the future.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/7260964
• Corporate Authors:

  Engineering, Chemical and Marine Press, Limited

  33-39 Bowling Green Lane
  London EC1P 1AH,   England 
• Authors:
  • Stanford, A E
• Publication Date: 1971-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 321-323
• Serial:
  • Motor Ship
  • Volume: 52 N
  • Issue Number: 615
  • Publisher: Blohm + Goss GMBH
  • Serial URL: http://www.hhc.co/uk/motorship

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Container tanks; Explosions; Foams; Marine safety; Tankers; Ventilation systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Explosion prevention; Gas freeing; Tank inerting systems; Tank venting; Tanker safety
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00028562
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 10 1972 12:00AM