Govt permits conversion of liquid nitrogen tankers to liquid oxygen tankers
As the nation faces the second wave of the Covid-19 crises, shortages of oxygen have been reported from a number of states. Apart from the scarcity of oxygen, one other downside the nation is going through is the scarcity of tankers appropriate to move and retailer oxygen, particularly liquid oxygen. As a end result, Liquid Nitrogen Gas Tankers have been transformed to Liquid Oxygen Tankers.
As this conversion is a harmful course of, the federal government of India proposed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the conversion of used LNG tankers for Oxygen service. Noting that such conversion inherent threat and towards the worldwide observe, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has issued the SOP for the person business.
In its memo, the division stated that the industries had proposed conversion of LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) tanker to Oxygen service. As of now, there are 138 such tankers within the nation. PESO stated that historically the conversion was not agreed by the division to hold and transport liquid Oxygen because of the dangers. However, attributable to excessive emergency requirement to move liquid Oxygen, the division has issued the rules to be adopted to transform the tankers.
It could also be famous that the govt. had allowed the conversion of cylinders of inert gases to oxygen cylinders in April final 12 months, and the SOP for a similar was issued. Now the identical has been allowed for tankers.
PESO stated, “Since such conversion is not a safe practice and not followed internationally, extreme precaution has to be taken by the applicant for such conversion. The conditions set forth by PESO in view of the above extreme exigencies.” The pointers issued by the PESO consists of:
In its proposed SOP, PESO stated that in the course of the conversion course of, the tanker ought to be warmed up and purged with hydrocarbon free nitrogen. The hydrocarbon vapour focus should be diminished to 0.01%.It is crucial to make sure inlet of the vaporizer coil/pump suction filter and another factors of the system are free from hydrocarbon.Only a reliable and skilled particular person will probably be allowed to oversee the conversion.All valves, piping works, filling and sampling hoses and pump meeting should be made as much as the Oxygen suitable materials.Purged gasoline evaluation shall be carried out, and samples to be taken for the constant focus of hydrocarbon vapour lower than 1PPM, and the method should be repeated 3 times.The division stated that PESO ought to be knowledgeable whereas deciding on the conversion of LNG tanker for oxygen provide. The applicant ought to submit a declaration to PESO for acceptance and situation of commissioning permission to make use of tanker for Oxygen service. The licensed signatory will probably be solely accountable for compliance with the circumstances laid down by PESO. The full set of proposed pointers might be learn right here.
Relaxation of guidelines introduced for oxygen cylinders and tankers
The authorities of India has additionally introduced leisure in guidelines for oxygen cylinders and cryogenic vessels. In its memo issued on April 26, PESO stated that attributable to excessive stress on the mobility of liquid Oxygen inside the nation in addition to the supply of gasoline cylinders, leisure within the Rules had been thought-about by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
The division prolonged the licenses for cylinders that have been due testing on March 31 or as much as June 30 underneath Gas Cylinder Rules 2016 to June 30 2021. The cryogenic vessels for storage of liquid Oxygen and for transportation of liquid Oxygen, liquid nitrogen & liquid argon, that are due for testing between March 30 to June 30, will stay operational until June 30 if they’ve legitimate license and certificates underneath Rule 18 & 19 of the SMPV (U) Rules, 2016. The date for a license has additionally been prolonged to June 30.
SOP for conversion of Nitrogen, Argon, Helium cylinders for Oxygen provide
Earlier in April final 12 months, PESO had issued SOP for conversion of Nitrogen, Argon, Helium cylinders for Oxygen provide. The division stated that the tanker ought to all the time be warmed up and purged with hydrocarbon-free nitrogen earlier than being crammed with Oxygen. Any conversion shall be coated both by a Work Permit or a Management of Change (MOC) order.
Operators should test the gear to substantiate that there has not been any contamination of the cylinders. The inside vessel ought to be designed and constructed for oxygen service, e.g. chrome steel or 9% nickel alloy. All valves, pipework, filling and sampling hoses, and pump meeting are of Oxygen suitable supplies. The pump and its equipment are appropriate for the required utility after conversion, e.g. oxygen suitable gearbox oil.
After the purging of the cylinders, the loading and off-loading connector shall get replaced in accordance with the specified product. The use of adaptors ought to be restricted and, if potential, eradicated. All adaptors ought to have IDs legibly marked on a visual floor. Adapters should be completely constructed by means equivalent to welding, silver soldering or brazing in order that components can not inadvertently develop into indifferent whereas getting used. Worn out or broken adapters should be withdrawn from service. As a minimal, adaptors ought to be of suitable materials, cleaned for Oxygen service and having a legitimate stress take a look at certificates. Complete SOP might be learn right here.
Covid state of affairs in India
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India reported 3,62,913 new Covid-19 instances on April 27. The whole variety of instances reported to date stands at 1,79,88,793. There are 29,71,959 energetic instances within the nation. 1,48,08,006 sufferers have recovered out of which 2,62,339 have been discharged on April 27. So far 2,01,166 folks have misplaced their lives out of which 3,286 died on Monday.