Bulk Fluid Transfer and Tank Gauging Procedure

Purpose. Describes how bulk chemicals are received from road tankers and ships, transferred between tanks and loaded to road tankers and isotainers, and how tank levels are gauged and reconciled, so that overfills, product mixing and losses are prevented.

1.Scope

This procedure applies to every transfer of bulk liquid at the Kwinana Beach terminal and the Kwinana plant tank farm, and to the daily gauging of all storage tanks. It must be followed by terminal operators, outside operators and drivers under supervision.

2.Before a receipt

The operator must confirm the product and quantity on the delivery documents against the order, confirm the destination tank and its available ullage from the gauging record, confirm the tank overfill alarm and high level trip are healthy and complete the line-up using the transfer checklist. The driver must be inducted, wearing the required protective equipment and standing at the emergency stop during the transfer.

• Product matches the order and the tank service
• Ullage exceeds the quantity to be received by the margin on the tank data sheet
• Overfill alarm and high level trip tested within the schedule
• Line-up walked and every valve position confirmed against the checklist
• Hose inspected, in test date and correctly coupled
• Spill kit and emergency shower checked

3.During a transfer

The operator must remain at the transfer point for the whole transfer and must monitor the tank level, the pump pressure and the hose and couplings. The operator must stop the transfer if the level rises faster than expected, if the level indication is lost or if any leak is seen. Transfers must not be left to run on a timer.

4.After a transfer

The line must be drained back or blown clear to the receiving tank before the hose is disconnected and the coupling capped. The operator must gauge the tank, record the quantity received in the transfer and inventory register and compare it with the delivery document. A variance greater than the tolerance on the tank data sheet must be reported to the Terminal Manager the same day.

5.Loading road tankers and isotainers

Before loading, the operator must confirm the vehicle compartment is clean and compatible with the product, that the driver holds the licence for the class, that the earthing lead is connected for flammable product and that the loading arm is correctly seated. Loading must not exceed the safe fill level for the compartment. Transport documents and placards must be completed and checked before the vehicle leaves the loading bay.

6.Daily gauging and reconciliation

Every tank must be gauged daily at the time in the gauging round and the level, temperature and calculated quantity must be recorded. Automatic gauges must be verified against a manual dip weekly. The inventory must be reconciled against receipts and dispatches every day and any unexplained variance must be investigated as a potential loss of containment.