Table 9. Representing cone penetrating forces at the criteria of moisture content
It is recommended to avoid the shipment of the nickel ore of which the representing cone penetrating force is less than the criterion without taking special safety measures. For the transportation of such cargo, the cargo should be trimmed level to the boundaries of the cargo holds by employing a box type bulk carrier or the cargo is fully loaded in cargo holds by means of block loading taking the strength of ship structure into account.
4. Conclusion
To prevent sliding failure of nickel ore in bulk, we developed a new test procedure which can be conducted in a few hours at places of loading for evaluating shear strength of nickel ore in view of prevention of sliding failure. The new test procedure can contribute to planning of a fleet of bulk carriers by making it possible to acquire the data of nickel ore unsuitable for shipment without taking special safety measures.
Acknowledgment
This research was carried out under the cooperation of Ship Research Institute and Nippon Kaiji Kentei Kyoukai (NKKK). The Nippon Foundation financially supported the research project. Pacific Metals Co., Ltd., Hyuga Smelting Co., Ltd., Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Mr. Yasumi, Japan Mining Industry Association cooperated for the research and gave us some advices on the new test procedure. Capt. Tobinobu, NKKK, cooperated for some experiments. We express sincere thanks for these people and others related to this research.
Reference
1) NKKK, "Research on safe transportation of cohesive bulk cargoes", Annex 1 of the report of the committee for safe transportation of dangerous goods, 1999
2) NKKK, "Research on safe transportation of cohesive bulk cargoes", Annex 1 of the report of the committee for safe transportation of dangerous goods, 1998
3) S. Ota and T. Ura, "Determination of Upper Bound of Moisture Content of Nickel Ore in Bulk", International Association of Institute of Navigation 1994 ("Navigation" Vol.123 1995, Japan Institute of Navigation)
4) The Code of Safe Practice of Solid Bulk Cargoes, 1998 Edition, International Maritime Organization
5) S. Ota, et al. "Safety Evaluation of Nickel Ore Transportation in Bulk", The Journal of Japan Institute of Navigation Vol.87 1992
6) S. Ota, et al. "A Study on Trimming Guidelines for Solid Bulk Cargoes", The Journal of Japan Institute of Navigation Vol.83 1990
7) IMO document, Annex 2 of BC 33/3/2, 1994 "Upper Bound of Moisture Content of Nickel Ore Based on Static Shear Strength", Submitted by Japan
8) IMO document, BC 32/3/16, 1993 "Precautions for Cargoes Containing Fine Particles such as Nickel Ore", Submitted by Japan
