Gauging and Sampling for high-pressure Tankers

What Is It?

Shuttle tankers and parcel (chemical) tankers operators, facing stringent regulations, must reduce the amount of VOC gas (Volatile Organic Compound) released during loading operations. The threshold of the pressure-relief valves, and the pressure of inert gas, moves from the standard 0.18 to 0.25 bar to up to 0.7 bar. Specially designed ships with reinforced tanks are built for this purpose. The challenge is to assure the compulsory gas-tight gauging and sampling operations, at high pressure, while maintaining the intrinsically safe design for explosion safety. The high pressure gauging and sampling solution comprises 4 components:

• The Deck Valve: Made of stainless steel with high Molybdenum content and PTFE seals; it ensures easy sampling operations and prevents water contamination and release of gases.
• The UTImeter Gauge: Ullage, Temperature, Interface. This model has been reinforced to maintain gas tightness, while staying lightweight and easy to operate.
• The Sampler: The HERMetic sampler GTX CHEM 0.7 bar is designed for the maximum security of operations while keeping the operations simple and quick.
• The DIP: The HERMetic DIP 2 GT 07bar 30m allows checking on the presence of sediments at the bottom of the tank.

How Does It Work?

The four components work together to enable gas-tight gauging and sampling at pressures up to 0.7 bar, meeting MARPOL and environmental regulations while preserving intrinsic safety.

What Problems Does It Solve?

Shuttle and parcel tankers operators compliance with environment and MARPOL regulations. Gas-tightness has to be maintained during gauging and sampling operations. Intrinsic safety against explosive atmospheres hazards. Compatibility with HERMetic Valves.