Abstract: A system and method of reducing corrosion in the ballast tanks of a ship is comprised of a central inert gas manifold extending down into the furthest reaches of the ballast tank, a plurality of lateral gas distribution manifolds extending away from the central manifold, and a plurality of downwardly projecting diffusers connected to the lateral gas distributors that release the inert gas at multiple simultaneous points within the ballast tank space. A method is further presented for using the diffuser array to sparge the ballast water with the inert gas to inhibit microbiological induced corrosion.

Abstract: A (1) piping grid, nozzles and/or deflectors and/or diffusers placed on the piping at a certain intervals, and (2) header pipes connecting the piping grid to (3) an inert gas generator via (4) a compressor and (5) an optional cooler support efficient and effective injection of inert gases into all regions and volume of ships' steel ballast tanks, retarding or avoiding corrosion. Efficiency in use of generated inert gas, effective entrance of inert gas into ballast tank spaces that may be remote and/or difficult of access, and minimization of the elapsed time to fill the tank with inert gas while discharging essentially all oxygen-containing air previously within the tank, are all realized by progressive, staged, insertion of cooled inert gases from tank bottom to tank top, marshaling contained air and expelling it out the tank tops.

Abstract: Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in ship's ballast water are killed by permeating to equilibrium a gaseous mixture consisting essentially of, preferably, ?84% nitrogen, ?11% carbon dioxide and ?4% oxygen through ship's ballast water until the ballast water itself becomes (i) hypercapnic to ?20 ppm carbon dioxide, and, by association, (ii) acidic to pH ?7, while preferably further, and also, being rendered (iii) hypoxic to ?1 ppm oxygen. The permeating is preferably realized by bubbling the gaseous mixture preferably obtained from an inert gas generator through the ballast water over the course of 2+ days while the ballast water is continually maintained a pressure less than atmosphere, preferably ?2 p.s.i. or less.

Abstract: Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in ship's ballast water are killed by permeating to equilibrium a gaseous mixture consisting essentially of, preferably, ≧84% nitrogen, ≧11% carbon dioxide and ≦4% oxygen through ship's ballast water until the ballast water itself becomes (i) hypercapnic to ≧20 ppm carbon dioxide, and, by association, (ii) acidic to pH≦7, while preferably further, and also, being rendered (iii) hypoxic to ≦1 ppm oxygen. The permeating is preferably realized by bubbling the gaseous mixture preferably obtained from an inert gas generator through the ballast water over the course of 2+ days while the ballast water is continually maintained a pressure less than atmosphere, preferably −2 p.s.i. or less.

Abstract: Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in ship's ballast water are killed by permeating to equilibrium a gaseous mixture consisting essentially of, preferably, ≧84% nitrogen, ≧11% carbon dioxide and ≦4% oxygen through ship's ballast water until the ballast water itself becomes (i) hypercapnic to ≧20 ppm carbon dioxide, and, by association, (ii) acidic to pH≦7, while preferably further, and also, being rendered (iii) hypoxic to ≦1 ppm oxygen. The permeating is preferably realized by bubbling the gaseous mixture preferably obtained from an inert gas generator through the ballast water over the course of 2+ days while the ballast water is continually maintained a pressure less than atmosphere, preferably −2 p.s.i. or less.

Abstract: Upon loading of oil cargo the ullage space of a tank of an oil tanker is sealed substantially gas tight with the gaseous contents of the ullage space both (i) initially inerted so as to be incapable of supporting combustion of any oil within the tank, and (ii) at an initial pressure less than atmosphere. The tank is preferably continued closed, preferably optionally with closed loop recirculation for purposes of gas mixing, for the entire voyage of the tanker save that (1) ullage space gas pressure uncommonly exceeds limits because of any of (i) leakage of atmospheric gases into the tank, and/or (ii) outgassing of gases within the oil contents of the tank, (iii) evaporation of the oil or portions thereof, and/or (iv) expansion of the ullage space gases upon thermal heating, and/or (2) free oxygen within the ullage space gases exceeds limits because of any leakage of atmospheric gases into the tank, at which time the tank is re-inerted, preferably with flue gases, or again de-pressurized, as and when required.

Abstract: Upon loading of oil cargo the ullage space of a tank of an oil tanker is sealed substantially gas tight with the gaseous contents of the ullage space both (i) initially inerted so as to be incapable of supporting combustion of any oil within the tank, and (ii) at an initial pressure less than atmosphere. The tank is preferably continued closed, preferably optionally with closed loop recirculation for purposes of gas mixing, for the entire voyage of the tanker save that (1) ullage space gas pressure uncommonly exceeds limits because of any of (i) leakage of atmospheric gases into the tank, and/or (ii) outgassing of gases within the oil contents of the tank, (iii) evaporation of the oil or portions thereof, and/or (iv) expansion of the ullage space gases upon thermal heating, and/or (2) free oxygen within the ullage space gases exceeds limits because of any leakage of atmospheric gases into the tank, at which time the tank is re-inerted, preferably with flue gases, or again de-pressurized, as and when required.

Abstract: A system and method to transfer oil cargo from ruptured tank(s) of a tanker to receiving vessel(s) or receiving tank(s), while maintaining a partial vacuum in the ullage space of the ruptured tank(s). A partial vacuum is created and maintained in the ullage space of tank(s) of a tanker to reduce outflow of liquid such as oil in the event of a ruptured tank. The vacuum is continuously maintained in a precise balance responsive to the forces acting on the contents of the tank, which forces change when the tank is ruptured. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention the liquid cargo in the tank(s) of the ruptured vessel is transferred to tank(s) of receiving vessels or any designated receiving tank(s) while maintaining the partial vacuum in the ullage space of the tanks of the ruptured tanker or vessel. The partial vacuum in the ullage space of the ruptured tank must be maintained while the oil is transferred to tanks of a receiving vessel, otherwise catastrophic oil spillage may occur.

Abstract: Vapors, typically volatile organic compounds, emitted from a vaporizable liquid, typically oil, that is within a tank, typically a ship's tank, are (i) compressed, and (ii) stored in a reservoir that is closed to the atmosphere. The (i) compression typically transpires in and by a series/parallel array of pumps, rotary or reciprocating compressors, to a storage pressure of 150+ PSIA. The several million cubic feet ullage volume of a typical 200,000 ton oil tanker is typically compressed over a few days during and/or after loading, and stored in a typically spherical gas storage tank of some 10-20 feet in diameter. Stored gases are returned to the ullage spaces during offloading of the oil tanks in a closed system. This emission control by vapor recovery is interoperative with related systems and methods (i) to avoid spillage of oil due to the rupture of a ship's tank, and/or (ii) to make and maintain a mixture of gases and vapors within the tank's ullage space to be non-explosive and non-flammable.

Abstract: A slight, 13.2 psia, underpressure is created, and dynamically maintained, in the ullage space of the oil tanks of an unmanned barge in order to prevent or reduce the spillage of oil due to any rupture of the tanks. The underpressure is created by ejecting a high pressure gas, preferably 500 psia inert nitrogen gas in a 16 ft.sup.3 storage bottle, through an ejector that is also flow-connected to the ullage spaces of the barge's tanks. The gaseous mixture within the ullage space is preferably inerted so as to prevent combustion or explosion by mixing with the same high pressure inert gas that is otherwise used to energize the ejection. All flow connections are controlled by electric valves managed by a control computer that responds to tank level, pressure, and/or gaseous mixture sensors.

Abstract: A system to reduce outflow of liquid such as oil due to the rupture of a ship's tank by means of creating and continuing to maintain a partial vacuum in the affected tank or tanks. The system generates a partial vacuum below the atmospheric pressure in the ullage space of the tank(s) and maintains the vacuum to precisely balance the forces acting on the contents of the tank. If the rupture is below the water line then, due to surface tension dynamics resulting in a stratified flow, water will tend to force itself through the lower part of the rupture and force the oil upward and pump out oil over the water until the water level reaches the top part of the rupture. When the water level reaches the top part of the rupture, an equilibrium condition is established and precisely maintained by the partial vacuum condition created by the system.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce outflow of liquid such as oil due to the rupture of a ship's tank by means of creating, and continuing to maintain, a partial vacuum in the effected tank or tanks. A partial vacuum below atmospheric pressure is created in the ship's tank. The vacuum is continuously maintained in a precise balance responsive to the forces acting on the contents of the tank, which forces change when the tank is ruptured. If the rupture is below the water line and on the side hull, then surface tension dynamics induce a stratified flow, forcing water into the tank through the lower part of the rupture while forcing the oil upward and out of the tank, oppositely to the flow of water, until the water level reaches the top part of the rupture. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention even the stratified flow is stopped because a non-structural barrier is placed over the rupture.

Abstract: Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in ship's ballast water are killed by permeating to equilibrium a gaseous mixture consisting essentially of, preferably, ?84% nitrogen, ?11% carbon dioxide and ?4% oxygen through ship's ballast water until the ballast water itself becomes (i) hypercapnic to ?20 ppm carbon dioxide, and, by association, (ii) acidic to pH?7, while preferably further, and also, being rendered (iii) hypoxic to ?1 ppm oxygen. The permeating is preferably realized by bubbling the gaseous mixture preferably obtained from an inert gas generator through the ballast water over the course of 2+ days while the ballast water is continually maintained a pressure less than atmosphere, preferably ?2 p.s.i. or less.