SOLAS II-2/16.3 • Hydrocarbon Purge <2% vol • Air Gas-Freeing • %LFL • O₂ Recovery • Fan Capacity • Outlet Velocity • Multi-Tank Schedule

Cargo Tank Gas-Freeing & Ventilation Time Tool

Plan the atmospheric transition from hydrocarbon-rich or inert cargo-tank conditions to a measured gas-free state. Simple mode models the two-stage inert-gas purge and air-ventilation sequence. Advanced adds multiple tanks, sequential or parallel ventilation, fan availability, non-IG tanker outlet-velocity screening, 30% LFL deck-level transition and tank-by-tank atmosphere targets.

Figures represent
This is a time-planning model, not a safe-entry certificate.Actual hydrocarbon, oxygen, H₂S, benzene and other toxic-gas measurements throughout the tank remain controlling.
Phase 1IG purge to <2% HC
Phase 2Air ventilation to gas target
AtmosphereHC / %LFL / O₂ timeline

Tank Atmosphere

m³.
% by volume.
% by volume.
% hydrocarbon by volume. Enter cargo-specific value.
% of LFL, not vol%. 1% LFL is a conservative entry-reference target.
% by volume. Actual entry criteria require measurement, not model prediction.

Purging & Gas-Freeing

m³/h.
m³/h.
%.
%.

Vessel / Procedure Basis

% by volume.
% vol. Gas-freeing with air begins only after <2% on an IG-equipped tanker.
% of cargo LFL.

Inert Gas Delivery

m³/h.

Gas-Freeing Fan Register

Available fan capacity is summed. Parallel mode distributes available air in proportion to tank vapour volume; sequential mode gives full available air flow to one tank at a time.

UseFan capacity m³/hAvailable now?Outlet area m²Flame-protected outlet?

Cargo Tank Register

UseVapour volume m³Initial HC vol%Initial O₂ %Cargo LFL vol%

Gas-Freeing Safety Checks

Entry warning: modeled concentration is never a substitute for atmosphere testing. Public OCIMF guidance for entry without breathing apparatus calls for testing throughout the space to confirm cargo vapour below 1% LFL, oxygen at 21% by volume, and absence of H₂S, benzene and other toxic gases as appropriate. Your vessel/company/flag enclosed-space entry criteria remain controlling.
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