TECH TALK

LPG/CHEMICAL GASES QUANTITY DETERMINATION

OIL, GAS AND CHEMICALS SERVICE NOVEMBER 2012



Introduction

The principal standard for the inspection of LPG is API MPMS Chapter 17.10.2 / EI HM 55 - Measurement of
Refrigerated and/or Pressurized Cargoes on Board Marine Gas Carriers - Liquefied Petroleum and Chemical
Gases and it is our policy to follow this standard within the limitations specified by our clients or by regulation.
However, the calculation routines specified in API MPMS Chapter 17.10.2 / EI HM 55 are broad based rather
than rigorous, which can result in multiple calculation processes.

To reduce the confusion and client dissatisfaction associated with multiple calculation processes, we have
developed procedures to provide a common platform for quantity determination of LPG and chemical gasses on
board of vessels and in shore tanks. Unless otherwise instructed, only methods in these procedures should be
applied. In special cases the customer may request the use of a different method or procedure. This is
acceptable provided that this is fully detailed in the order acceptance and agreed to by ALL of the commercial
parties. Full details must also be included in the written instructions to the field inspector.

Definitions

For the purpose of these procedures the following definitions apply:
Liquefied gasses: products with a vapour pressure exceeding 3 bar absolute at a temperature of 50C
Liquefied Petroleum Gas [LPG]: propane, butane, mixtures of propane and butane, ethane, pentane,
promix
Chemical gasses: ethylene, propylene, butadiene, butylenes, ammonia, vinyl chloride monomer
True or absolute density: density in vacuum; i.e. - Mass per unit of volume [kg/l vac]
Apparent density: density in air; i.e., weight per unit of volume [kg/l air]
Saturated conditions: Situation in which the vapor phase is in equilibration with the liquid phase at a
certain liquid temperature.

Methods

The quantity determination is based on the measurements executed by the inspector. As gasses are stored in
closed containers, manual measurement is not possible. Level, temperature and pressure readings are noted
from local available systems. The reference of the instruments, date and validation of calibration data must be
reported. The instructions mentioned in the equipment guide must always be followed.

The following measurements are to be performed or observed by inspector:

Level per tank
Tank pressure per tank
Temperature per tank for vapour and liquid
Trim (for vessels only)
List (for vessels only)
Atmospheric pressure (optional)

All calculations must initially be performed with the units as mentioned in the capacity tables. Conversion to
additional units starts from the final obtained quantity (kg vac). The total quantity of product in the tank is the
sum of the quantity from the liquid phase and the vapour phase. For each phase the volumes are multiplied by
their respective densities.

TECH TALK
LPG/CHEMICAL GASES QUANTITY DETERMINATION

OIL, GAS AND CHEMICALS SERVICE NOVEMBER 2012



Density determination for vapour phase of LPG

The density of vapour is calculated according the formula of the gas law.

p =
Hw
2S.64S1

1.u1S2S + obs. prcs.
1.u1S2S

288.1S
27S.1S + :op. tcmp.


Where:
MW =molecular weight
Obs. pres. =observed pressure in bar
vap.temp. =vapour temperature
23.6451 =molar volume of ideal gas at 15C and 1.01325 bar

In above equation, a temperature of 15C is used as reference temperature. The presence of nitrogen in the gas
phase is taken into account and the vapour quantity corrected.

Density determination for vapour phase of Chemical Gases

For saturated vapour conditions and pure gasses (chemical gasses) the vapour density can be obtained directly
from the density table of the product. The presence of nitrogen in the gas phase is taken into account and the
vapour quantity corrected.

Density determination liquid phase of LPG and Chemical Gases

The method to determine the density is depending of the purity of gases. All densities are in vacuum. For pure
gases and chemical gases the density is based on the product tables starting from the observed liquid
temperature. For mixtures of gases the density is calculated on the basis of the method imposed, such as ASTM
D2598.

Volume determination

Follow any requirements as specified in the tank capacity table. The volume determination is based on the data
of the tank capacity table. The volume of the liquid phase shall be determined by means of a level
measurement, corrected as appropriate for:

Trim correction (for vessels only)
List correction (for vessels only)
Float correction
Tape correction
Thermal contraction of temperature
Thermal contraction of pressure

The volume of the vapour phase is the difference of the total tank volume and the liquid volume.

Quantity determination

The quantity calculation is done by multiplying the volume with the density, provided that both quantities are
reduced to the same temperature. The quantity of the liquid phase is depended of the product:

TECH TALK
LPG/CHEMICAL GASES QUANTITY DETERMINATION

OIL, GAS AND CHEMICALS SERVICE NOVEMBER 2012



Observed liquid volume x volume correction factor x Density liquid at reference temperature (i.e. 15C)
Observed liquid volume x Density at observed temperature <<for chemical gasses only>>

Volume correction factor: The volume laid down in current temperature should be converted to the volume at
reference temperature based on ASTM table 54.(1952) or ASTM table 54E (2007) for LPG and based upon the
appropriate product table for chemical gases.

Conclusion

The procedures that this Tech Talk was based upon can be found on the following SharePoint site:

http://chsites01.sgs.net/sites/ogc/Inspection/SGS%20Work%20Instructions/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Additionally, we have provided two calculation spreadsheets, one for LPG and one for Chemical Gases. These
can also be found on the above referenced site in addition to being attached to the message that delivered this
Tech Talk. My thanks go to Werner Robaeys for developing the procedures and spreadsheets.































TECH TALK
LPG/CHEMICAL GASES QUANTITY DETERMINATION

OIL, GAS AND CHEMICALS SERVICE NOVEMBER 2012



Minutes of Tech Talk Meeting:

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The original is to be maintained at the Branch for
reference and audit purposes. Data from this form is
required as part of your monthly Global QHS&E reporting