Title 49

SECTION 193.2513

193.2513 Transfer procedures.

§ 193.2513 Transfer procedures.

(a) Each transfer of LNG or other hazardous fluid must be conducted in accordance with one or more manuals of written procedures to provide for safe transfers.

(b) The transfer procedures must include provisions for personnel to:

(1) Before transfer, verify that the transfer system is ready for use, with connections and controls in proper positions, including if the system could contain a combustible mixture, verifying that it has been adequately purged in accordance with a procedure which meets the requirements of “Purging Principles and Practices (incorporated by reference, see § 193.2013)”;

(2) Before transfer, verify that each receiving container or tank vehicle does not contain any substance that would be incompatible with the incoming fluid and that there is sufficient capacity available to receive the amount of fluid to be transferred;

(3) Before transfer, verify the maximum filling volume of each receiving container or tank vehicle to ensure that expansion of the incoming fluid due to warming will not result in overfilling or overpressure;

(4) When making bulk transfer of LNG into a partially filled (excluding cooldown heel) container, determine any differences in temperature or specific gravity between the LNG being transferred and the LNG already in the container and, if necessary, provide a means to prevent rollover due to stratification.

(5) Verify that the transfer operations are proceeding within design conditions and that overpressure or overfilling does not occur by monitoring applicable flow rates, liquid levels, and vapor returns.

(6) Manually terminate the flow before overfilling or overpressure occurs; and

(7) Deactivate cargo transfer systems in a safe manner by depressurizing, venting, and disconnecting lines and conducting any other appropriate operations.

(c) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, the procedures for cargo transfer must be located at the transfer area and include provisions for personnel to:

(1) Be in constant attendance during all cargo transfer operations;

(2) Prohibit the backing of tank trucks in the transfer area, except when a person is positioned at the rear of the truck giving instructions to the driver;

(3) Before transfer, verify that:

(i) Each tank car or tank truck complies with applicable regulations governing its use;

(ii) All transfer hoses have been visually inspected for damage and defects;

(iii) Each tank truck is properly immobilized with chock wheels, and electrically grounded; and

(iv) Each tank truck engine is shut off unless it is required for transfer operations;

(4) Prevent a tank truck engine that is off during transfer operations from being restarted until the transfer lines have been disconnected and any released vapors have dissipated;

(5) Prevent loading LNG into a tank car or tank truck that is not in exclusive LNG service or that does not contain a positive pressure if it is in exclusive LNG service, until after the oxygen content in the tank is tested and if it exceeds 2 percent by volume, purged in accordance with a procedure that meets the requirements of “Purging Principles and Practices (incorporated by reference, see § 193.2013)”.

(6) Verify that all transfer lines have been disconnected and equipment cleared before the tank car or tank truck is moved from the transfer position; and

(7) Verify that transfers into a pipeline system will not exceed the pressure or temperature limits of the system.

[Amdt. 193-2, 45 FR 70405, Oct. 23, 1980, as amended by Amdt. 193-25, 80 FR 183, Jan. 5, 2015]