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Precautions against transportation of Phenol

Phenol is one of the solidify cargoes which special precautions are

required when vessel transports the cargo. The Phenol is a extremely
toxic & corrosive chemical.

The solution of Phenol causes severe chemical burns to the intact skin,
which are usually painless. It appears as white wrinkled "dead skin". In
case of eye contact, permanent damage to the eye may occur. In case of
inhalation, there will be a burning sensation of the mouth and throat. The
patient can also develop mental agitation, confusion, heart failure and
circulatory collapse.

The lack of care and attention against the handling of Phenol may be
involved in accidents which can be damaged to crew, cargo or structures.

Following are some basic safety procedure for marine transportation

Phenol in bulk :

Before Loading

1. To test drain lines, valves, flange parts, pipe lines of cargo tank to
be loaded if there is any leakage. You have to bear in mind that
once the cargo started loading, it cannot stop pumping for
repairing any leakage through the loading because the cargo will be
solidified immediately in pipe line.

2. To test heating coil in cargo tank without fail. Leaking of heating

coil during voyage with cargo heating can be damaged to cargo
which easily reacted with water and discoloured to red.
 3. To check emergency showers are in good condition so that it can be
used in emergency case, and fresh water with bucket is to provide
near manifold when connecting or disconnecting cargo hose and
near cargo tank when sampling from cargo tank.

4. Safety equipment such as gas masks, shield masks, goggles,

rubber gloves, rubber boots, and chemical suits should be provided
near manifold to ready for immediate use.

5. The crew engaging in cargo operation has to put the safety

equipment

6. Flange part connected with shore line on manifold is to be covered

with rubber sheet in order to avoid cargo splashing and damaged to
crew.

During loading

If the cargo will be loaded to several cargo tanks, it is

recommended to make a plan so that the cargo can be loaded into
several cargo tanks simultaneously and completed loading at the
almost same time in order to avoid cargo solidifying in line
Every tank has to be monitored through the loading and confirmed
if the cargo is loading properly into the cargo tank
After loading, all concerned lines should be drained well

During voyage

The melting point of Phenol(99.9%) is 40.9°C and it become

discoloration at 60 °C or more. It is requested to keep 55°C to 58°C
in temperature during voyage.
During cargo heating, Steam drain and cascade tank in engine
room have to check periodically. It may be very difficult to find out
leakage of Phenol by colour from drain water because Phenol is
completely soluble in water but it can be found out by toxic smell.
If you fail to find out the leakage at initial step, Steam lines on deck
 as well as the boiler system in engine room may be damaged by
corrosiveness of Phenol liquid
Before arrival unloading port, to make sure pump-running test
under closed condition of delivery valve, and cleanness of the line
from delivery valve to both manifolds by air. If the cargo pump
and/or the pipe line were clogged, don't inject deck steam into
cargo tank or pipe line directly. The dies-clogging work for cargo
pump and line should be done by indirect method.

During unloading

Don't fill up full-ballast into concerned ballast tank until completion

of unloading.
As soon as possible after unloading and getting the certificate of
tank dry from cargo surveyor, steam has to be blown into cargo
tank through both ends of the manifold for avoiding Phenol
remaining in the line.

Tank cleaning

Solubility in water is depend on temperature i.e. 6.7% at 16°C and

100% at 66°C. therefore it is preferable to use hot sea water of
more than 70°C for tank cleaning
During tank cleaning, to wash vent line with abundant water
Don't spill all drains of tank cleaning water on deck or hull side for
avoiding coating damages.
After completion tank cleaning and confirmed gas free, to inspect
tank condition if there are any pitting corrosions and leakage of
heating coil, and cofferdam of cargo pump
Tank cleaning procedure :
Hot sea water Butterworth(not less than 70°C) : 3 hours
FW washing
Steaming : 2 hours

Recommendations for chemical tankers with respect to carriage of

Phenol

1. Ensure the suitability of the vessel for carrying such products with
 respect to its stowage restrictions and operations on the whole.
2. Ensuring crew is well informed and trained to handle such cargoes.
3. Ensuring a blend of experienced officer and crew on board so as to
Properly train the inexperienced staff for their future endeavours
With specific cargo operations
4. Proper check/pressure testing of lines and valves prior loading.
5. To use common line for phenol handling is not preferred.
6. To use deck heaters with single valve segregation towards common
line is not sufficient as a barrier.

Sampling precautions : Open sampling should never be encouraged

Closed Sampling system should be used at all times. Phenol is extremely

dangerous when comes into contact with the eyes or skin and can be
fatal. Extreme precaution to be taken when opening any access to tanks
having phenol. All personnel engaged in Phenol operation must wear full
protection clothing at all times.

Gas Tight Suit and self-contained breathing apparatus to be worn by

personnel engaged in sampling. Chemical splash suit should never be
used for this purpose.

Risk Assessment to be prepared to identify and mitigate all associated

risk involved. Risk control measures to be taken and same to be
discussed before commencement of such operation.Everyone on board
should be thoroughly familiar with handling of Phenol and precaution
required for carriage.

Remarks: Phenol is made of Benzene & Cumene which have a strong

washing ability itself by its activity and corrosiveness. Therefore it is no
effect to use detergent in order to remove smell of Phenol. To overcome
strong smell, it is recommended to use hot water not less than 70C and
steaming.

Good practices

High melting point cargoes such as Phenol, Palm fatty acid distillates
lauric and Stearic acid has inherent property to form lumps of cargo. It is
therefore recommended to turn the cargo pumps at regular intervals
during the voyage and prior to discharge in order to avoid any last
minute surprises. All the lines to be then blown back to the cargo tanks.
The danger of frozen valves, pressure/vacuum in the tanks to be
monitored during loading, voyage and discharge. In the event if any of
the pumps are found frozen, deployment of portable Framo pump should
not be considered without a proper Risk assessment and office
permission.

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Phenol handling more safety guide

Hazards of Phenol - safe handling of Phenol on chemical tankers.

Phenol is derived from the basic raw materials of benzene and propylene.
Phenol is typically a solid at room temperature as it solidifies at 41°C
(106 °F). Plywood, window glazing, DVDs, computers, automotive parts
and LCD/LED TVs are some of the many items that rely on this important
raw material. .....

Marine transportation of Phenol and more safety guideline

The lack of care and attention against the handling of Phenol may be
involved in accidents which can be damaged to crew, cargo or structures.
.....

handling Phenol safety precautions

PHENOL is carried at sea in a generally pure state. As a result, it has a
high freezing point of approximately 40~ 41deg C. PHENOL is also
extremely dangerous when it comes into contact with the eyes or skin
and can be fatal. .....

We have summarized below some of the special chemical cargoes

frequently carried onboard chemical tankers

Toxicology and associated hazards

Handling benzene & methanol safety precautions

Handling carcinogens requirements for certain chemical cargoes

Handling ACRYLONITRILE safety precautions

handling ISOCYANATES safety precautions

handling Sulfuric acid safety precautions

Handling benzene & methanol safety precautions

Requirements of various grade chemical cargo heating

Marine transportation of Phenol and more safety guideline

Preparation for loading Phenol, Product characteristics ,Topping Off, Line

Blowing,Sampling, Venting, Heating & Discharging guideline

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