CTM 9.8	Chemical Tanker Manual CTM Cargo Heating and Cargo Sampling	Doc No.: CTM 9.8 Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD

1. APPLICATION

This document applies to all Chemical Tankers managed by the Company.

2. PURPOSE

To specify procedures on Cargo Sampling for protection against cargo claims and on Cargo Heating.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

• Chief officer - Overall in charge of cargo sampling and cargo heating
• Deck officers - Responsible officers to assist the chief officer
• Watch Keepers - Assist during sampling and heating operation
• Chief Engineer - Overall in charge for supplying deck steam for heating

4. CARGO SAMPLING (CDI 5.5.34)

4.1 General

• Chief officer shall ensure samples of all cargo loaded are:
  • Taken as evidence of the quality of cargo received
  • Retained on board in case of any dispute at the discharge port

4.2 Sampling Procedure

Take the following samples at Load Port:

• Manifold sample for each grade prior to opening the manifold valve



Warning:

• If closed manifold samples appear off-spec, then suspend loading operation. Notify commercial operator, send photographs of sample & surveyors’ statement to the commercial, written consent from commercial team/ charterers must be obtained, prior to resumption of cargo operations.


• Running sample if restrictions are imposed by the terminal (e.g., manifold valve cannot be kept closed)

Note:

• Issue LOP and record in log book if restriction imposed by terminal.


• When applicable, pump stack sample, which establishes the condition of the line

Note:

• Do not open Tank valve unless pump stack samples are found satisfactory


• When applicable, first tank bottom sample (foot sample)
• Running sample of the cargo each time a shore tank changeover is notified
• Sample from each tank upon completion of loading

Note:

• Retain these as individual tank samples or mix into a composite sample for each grade/type/parcel as applicable.


• After any internal transfer

Note:

• Recirculate cargo for 15 minutes when using cargo pump for sampling.


• At any other time, Master finds appropriate to defend the COMPANY’s interest

Take the following samples at Discharge Port:

• Tank composite sample from each tank drawn from bottom, middle & upper level
• Manifold sample at the start of discharge

Responsible officer to examine samples for:

• Color
• Clarity
• Smell
• Water
• Dirt or particulate matter

Immediately Notify the following parties if samples appear off spec:

• Attending surveyor
• Charterers
• Office
• P&I Club after consulting Office

Mark sample bottles with:

• Voyage number
• Date
• Grade of cargo
• Source of sample
• Reference number, if any

Sampling Procedure:

• Take samples in clean bottles
• Responsible officer to supervise sampling
• Use closed sampling device



Note:

• Only close sampling is allowed for IBC close or restricted venting cargoes. In case there is a need of open hatch sampling, an RA should be made and permission sought from the Marine Superintendent.


• Use glass sampling bottles
• Clean sampling equipment prior to use

4.3 Sample Storage (CDI 5.3.55)

• Store samples in clean and tightly closed containers of material compatible with the cargo.
• Designated sample lockers within the cargo area.
• Storage locker:
  • Made of material fully resistant to the different liquids intended to be stowed
  • Equipped with adequate ventilation arrangement
  • Equipped with an adequate firefighting system
  • Provided with shelves divided into small cells:
    • To segregate incompatible samples
    • To avoid shifting of the bottles at sea

4.4 Carriage of Consignee Samples (CDI 5.3.56)

• Chief Officer shall ensure that these samples are:
  • Kept on board from load to discharge port
  • Properly stowed in the sample locker
  • Handed over to the receiver or its representative at the discharge port
• Receipts are issued for all properly sealed and labelled samples
• The vessel receives a shore tank sample of each grade loaded for delivery at the discharging port
• Duplicate of each sample handed over is kept

4.5 Closed Sampling (CDI 5.3.49)

• Chief officer shall ensure:
  • Sampling is carried out using vapour locks and matched associated equipment (e.g., Hermetic Sampler)
  • Additional safety precautions are taken when dealing with toxic cargoes, e.g., benzene, phenol, etc.
  • Appropriate PPE is worn while obtaining the samples

  Note:

  • This may include breathing apparatus, chemical resistant coveralls/gas tight suits etc.
  
  
  

  Coution:

  • The use of filter type respirators is prohibited by COMPANY.
  
  

  Coution:

  • When running of the pump and taking sample via the drain valve is the only method possible for sampling, in such case risk assessment for this operation & permission from terminal is mandatory. Further this method will be acceptable only if appropriate adapters are available, to obtain samples from the drain in an efficient manner, without causing any spillage or hazard to the personnel.
  • Drain valve is to be cleaned & flushed well prior samples are collected. To ensure this the drains should be paid attention to during tank cleaning. The ball valves of the drains must be worked to flush all remnants of the previous cargoes.
  
  

  Coution:

  • If deemed hazardous due to the nature of the cargo, cargo sampling may be suspended and an entry to this effect shall then be made in the ship’s log books.
  
  

4.6 Retention Period of Samples (CDI 5.3.53 / CDI 5.3.54 / CDI 5.3.58)

• 12 months, after discharging the cargo
• Exceptions:
  • Inhibited cargo samples – for which samples shall not be retained after the expiration date of the inhibitor
  • Samples for which any cargo claim is raised
  • Otherwise instructed by COMPANY Head Office

4.7 Disposal of Samples (CDI 5.3.57)

Disposal Procedure

• Prior to disposal, seek approval from Office & operator
• Dispose of:
  • The content of the sample containers as per MARPOL Annex I or II
  • The containers themselves as per Annex V

Following disposal methods are acceptable:

• Delivered to a shore reception facility and a certificate of receipt issued
• Added to:
  • For MARPOL Annex 2 cargo: Tank cleaning waters of a similar grade having the same pollution category and chemical compatibility
  • For MARPOL Annex 1 cargo: Slops

Disposal Record Keeping:

• Annex II samples - Record in Cargo Record Book (Section K)
• Annex I samples - Record in Oil Record Book (Part II – Section O)

4.8 Safety Precautions While Taking Samples from Tank Under Nitrogen Blanket

• In case of sampling under nitrogen blanket, Chief Officer shall ensure the following procedure is employed:
  • Samples are not taken through tank openings to prevent moisture and/or oxygen in the air from reacting with the cargo
  • Sampling is done only by means of:
    • A suitable valve and pumping around
    • Closed sampling device
    • At pump stack running cargo pump
  • All safety regulations applicable for the cargo are complied with

5. CARGO HEATING

5.1 Heating Instructions

• Master shall:
  • Refer to voyage orders for Heating instructions
  • Prior to departure from the loading port, ensure that clear instructions are received detailing:
    • Heating requirements
    • Carriage and discharge temperatures

5.2 Bunkers

• Master/ Chief Engineer shall:
  • Ensure sufficient bunkers are onboard considering cargo heating required during voyage.

5.3 Availability of Heating System

• Chief Officer and Chief Engineer shall:
  • Ensure cargo heating system is available for use at the appropriate time
  • Plan cargo heating to ensure that specified temperature is reached and maintained with the minimum expenditure of heat energy
  • Ensure that there is adequate fuel, and where required, boiler water for the voyage.

5.4 Cargo Heating Procedure

Pre-heating Checks:

• Domestic Fresh water consumption
• Distilled water consumption

Starting Procedure:

• Avoid water hampering, ensure the following:
  • Drain water & warm up main steam line
  • Drain water & warm up steam coils
• Slowly open steam inlet
• Maintain constant pressure throughout the steam line
• Install pressure gauges at three places on the main steam line (Forward, Mid-ship & Aft)
• Physically verify pressure at regular intervals



Coution:

• Check heating coil return water free from oil on main deck prior opening main return line.


• Keep all steam coils open & regulate pressure using tank outlet return line valve
• To regulate temperature in tanks, shut off steam coils as required
• To adjust tank temperature, do not use individual steam coil valves
• Slowly increase cargo temperature

Symptoms of Leaking Coils:

• Oil traces in hot well in the engine room
• Oil traces in return line drain on deck
• Increased water consumption

Shut Down Procedures:

• Reduce heating as the oil level falls in the cargo tanks
• Shut off heating once heating coils are exposed
• Open drain to break vacuum once steam inlet is shut

Cold Climate Precautions:

• To avoid freezing damage, immediately air blow steam coils
• To avoid any steam entering the coils, blank steam coil inlets.

5.5 Cargo Heating During Voyage

• On the loaded passage, monitor Cargo temperatures:
  • Twice daily – When heating is On
  • Once daily – When heating is Off



Note:

• Record the values in daily heating log.


• Adjust the amount of heat applied to individual tanks as per readings obtained.
• Monitor the observation tank closely for indications of leakage in the heating coils.



Coution:

• If any such leakage is observed, take precautions to prevent the product from reaching the boiler.



Coution:

• Avoid rapid changes of temperature which may adversely affect the quality of the cargo or unduly stress the ship's structure.


• Further record the following daily:
  • Cargo Temperature
  • Pressure on steam line at all locations
  • Status of return line valve

5.6 Overheating

• Chief Officer shall ensure the following is avoided:
  • Overheating of the cargo
  • Rapid changes in temperature

5.7 Underheating

• Chief Officer shall ensure:
  • Underheating is avoided to enable pumping out all the cargo contained in the tank

5.8 Loading Temperature of Cargo

• Chief Officer/OOW shall closely monitor the temperature of the incoming cargo. This is to ensure that the temperature is not such that it could:
  • Damage the tank coating or
  • Possibly stress the ship’s structure due to a large temperature differential between the cargo and surrounding sea water.

5.9 Discharge

• Master/ Chief Officer shall ensure that:
  • Vessel arrives at the discharging terminal with the cargo at the required temperature.
  • Unless a very viscous cargo is carried,
  • the steam to the heating coils is reduced on each tank at the commencement of discharge of that tank.
  
  

  Note:

  • If for any reason the discharge must be temporarily suspended,
  • - Shut the manifold valve, and
  • - Drop the top lines back into the tank(s) being discharged.
  • Depending on ambient conditions it may be necessary to re-introduce heating to maintain the cargo at the required discharge temperature.
  
  
  • Heating is shut off before the level of cargo has dropped below that of the heating coils and the tank stripped dry without delay.
  • Each tank is to be stripped dry immediately on completion of its bulk discharge before cooling takes effect.

5.10 Compatibility of Cargo with Heating Media

• Master/Chief Officer shall ensure:
  • Steam, hot water, or other heating media like thermal oil are compatible with the cargo.

5.11 Cold Climate Conditions

• In the absence of specific heating instructions in voyage orders, follow the below recommendation:
  • 3 to 4 days before arrival, carry out cargo heating sufficient to ensure maximum outturn at normal discharge rate.

5.12 Temperature Limit

• Master/ Chief Officer shall ensure:
  • Under no circumstances are these limits exceeded.

  Note:

  • Tank coatings may be subject to separate limitations regarding their maximum loading/ carrying/ discharging temperatures.
  • See compatibility lists published by coating paint manufactures for guidance.
  
  
  • If instructions are received to heat cargo above that suitable for tank coating, Marine Superintendent/ Marine Department is contacted for consultation immediately.

5.13 Segregation of Heated Cargoes

Refer to CTM 9.3.

5.14 Blanking of Heating Coils

• Where non-heated cargo is being carried in tanks which are fitted with heating coils and heating is not required:
  • Blow-out coils by air
  • Drain and blank off both at inlet and outlet
  • Completely isolated from the system

5.15 Heating of "Water Soluble Products"

• Control heating of water-soluble cargo like lignin pitch, molasses, solution of inorganic substance (e.g., caustic soda or phosphoric acid)
• Ensure the temperature of these products is not lower than the crystallizing point or critical temperature of deposit:
  • Caustic soda (50% sol.): 12 ~ 15°C, (45% sol.): 5 ~ 7°C
• Gradually open the Steam inlet valves.

5.16 Heating Coil Serving Tanks Containing Toxic Cargoes

• Use separate heating systems when two or more heated cargoes carried are incompatible, e.g., Edible oils and Poison.
• After discharging the cargo, blow the system clear of containment using compressed or inert gas.

Note:

• Use appropriate personal protection equipment for the cargo carried.


• Engine room staff shall report any unusual loss of boiler feed water to the Chief Officer immediately.
• Chief Officer shall check heated cargo tanks' ullages for ingress of water.
• For toxic cargoes requiring heating:
  • Have their exhaust steam led to a separate tank for monitoring prior to passing to machinery space.

5.17 Testing Heating Coils

• Pressure testing frequency:
  • Prior to carrying heated cargo (Normal working pressure or 7 Kg/cm²)
  • At least once a year (1.5 times normal working pressure)

5.18 Calibration of Temperature Measuring Instruments

• Chief Officer shall:
  • Where fitted and if considered sufficiently reliable, use temperature probes for taking cargo temperature.
  • Carry out calibration checks as per manufacturer’s instructions every 3 months.
  • Consider the following:
    • Each remote reading position is recorded.
    • Cargo tanks need not be liquid full to perform measurements.

5.19 Precautions When Using Hand Thermometers

• Even when using hand thermometers for non-hazardous cargoes, Chief Officer shall ensure personnel taking temperatures:
  • Are aware of the possible risk of heavy concentrations of vapor being expelled on deck when tank ports are open.
  • Wear proper PPE.

5.20 Cargo Parameters Recordings & Reporting

• Chief Officer shall ensure:
  • All cargo-related information/voyage data shall be accurately recorded and reported to Managers, Owners, charterers & other parties as required by voyage order.
  • The cargo information recorded shall include but not be limited to cargo temperature, tank pressure, oxygen content, etc. (basis voyage orders).
  • Any revision in cargo handling instructions (ongoing voyage) received from commercial operators is to be officially logged and explained to all deck officers & ratings.

6. REFERENCED FORMS AND CHECKLISTS

• CHEM 16 - Cargo Heating record
• CHEM 07 - Cargo Sample Log