Crude Oil Losses and Pollution, Tanker Inerting and Cleaning, Human Safety, and Fluoro-Solvents.

摘要

Circumstances surrounding accidental tanker explosions indicate the need for a safe, universal yet economical technique with which to effectively inert and clean tanks. This research investigates a human factors oriented concept combining material, equipment, facilities, personnel and procedures as a cost-effective system to meet this need. No new equipment designs or discoveries are required. The system uses a single waterless, fluorinated hydrocarbon inerting/cleaning agent in a continuous-stream, closed-loop (non-ozone deteriorating) activity in a modular, integrated, single-point-mooring configuration. In addition to reducing hazard levels from toxicity, explosion, fire and asphyxiation, the system should reduce the costly tanker downtime experienced when ships are forced to go miles offshore to dump and flush oily waste. Under present conditions, at best, these ships use separate inerting and cleaning materials with a costly intermediate period for ventilation.