New Procedure for evaluating liquefaction potential of solid bulk materials
Submitted by Japan
Background
1 According to the second paragraph of regulation 6 in chapter VI of the SOLAS Convention,it is required that cargoes which may liquefy shall only be accepted for loading when the actual moisture content of the cargo is less than its Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). For the unified interpretation of this requirement. the scope of its application should be clarified. In other words, cargoes which mayliquefy should be specified.
2 In Appendix A of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code), there is a list ofbulk materials which may liquefy. However, the list is not exhaustive as described in paragraph A.1.2in the appendix.
3 Appendix D of the BC Code, the test procedures for determining TML of materials which may liquefy are presented. In general, the material can be regarded as liquefaction material when its Flow Moisture Point (FMP) can be determined by the flow table test or the Penetration Test. On the other hand,the material which is not liable to liquefy cannot be specified even by using these procedures.
Research on evaluation of liquefaction potential
4 Japan has conducted a three year research project for clarifying the scope of application of the requirement for bulk materials which may liquefy As a result of the research, a comprehensive procedure for evaluating liquefaction potential of solid bulk materials was developed. This procedure can contribute to make a unified interpretation for the application of the requirement for materials which may liquefy.Japan is. therefore, of the opinion that this procedure should be circulated broadly as an MSC Circular.The draft NISC Circular is attached as annex 1. The background for determining each criteria, i.e., theresult of the research, is summarized in annex 2.
Comprehensive procedure for evaluating liquefaction potential
5 The procedure for evaluating liquefaction potential includes two different aspects as follows:
.1 Criteria of grain size distribution of the material on liquefaction potential (refer to paragraph 6); and
.2 New laboratory test procedure for evaluating liquefaction potential (refer to paragraph 7).
I :/DSC/2/12-1
For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates arekindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.
