2.6 Vapour overpressure and vacuum protection
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.585 – Standards for Vapour Emission Control Systems – (Adopted on 16 April 1992) - Annex - Standards for Vapour Emission Control Systems - 2 Tankers - 2.6 Vapour overpressure and vacuum protection

2.6 Vapour overpressure and vacuum protection

  2.6.1 Each cargo tank should have a controlled pressure venting system which is designed on the basis of the maximum designed loading rate multiplied by a factor of at least 1.25 to take account of gas evolution, in order to prevent the pressure in the tank from exceeding the design pressure.

  2.6.2 Each cargo tank should have a controlled vacuum venting system which is capable of preventing a vacuum in the cargo tank vapour space, whether generated by withdrawal of cargo or vapour at maximum rates, that exceeds the maximum design vacuum for the tank.

  2.6.3 A prototype of each pressure or vacuum or pressure/vacuum venting device should be bench tested for venting capacity by a test method acceptable to the Administration.

  2.6.4 Each tanker equipped with a vapour collection system that is common to two or more tanks should be fitted with a pressure sensing device that senses the pressure in the main vapour collection line for those tanks, and which:

  • .1 has a high pressure alarm that alarms at a pressure of not more than the lowest pressure relief valve setting in the cargo tank venting system; and

  • .2 has a low pressure alarm that alarms at a pressure of not less than atmospheric pressure for an inerted tanker, or the lowest vacuum relief valve setting (i.e. that setting nearest to atmospheric pressure) in the cargo tank venting system for a non-inerted tank vessel.


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