Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Nitrogen
Contents
The section on Nitrogen contains the following:
Topic
Version 2, October 2011
See Page
Before You Begin
2
Nitrogen (compressed)
4
Nitrogen, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid)
7
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Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Nitrogen
Before you begin
Description
Inert gas transported in:
 cylinders as a compressed gas
 tanks as a cryogenic liquid
Regulated by DOT only because of the pressure and temperature at which
it is transported.
Leaks of nitrogen (while a temperature or pressure hazard to personnel)
are not a serious environmental issue. Seventy-eight percent of the air we
breathe is nitrogen.
Category
Unused nitrogen is not a waste.
 Any quantity of nitrogen remaining in the cylinder or tank can be used
and should be returned to the vendor as unused product.
Analysis
Not required
Accumulation



Compressed nitrogen should remain in the original cylinder.
Cryogenic liquid nitrogen should remain in the original tank.
If cylinder is unusable [damaged], empty, punctured or has the valve
removed: It may be placed in scrap metal bin.
Waste
Reduction

Minimize wasteful practices (i.e., overuse or excessive usage, return
excess purchases to vendor)
Use all of contents
Send to another location which can use it
Return empty cylinder (or tank) or any unused portion of a cylinder (or
tank) to vendor



Disposal
Return to vendor for credit
Continued on next page
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Waste Management Procedures
Nitrogen
Before you begin,
Recordkeeping
(continued)
If non-hazardous waste (Cylinder empty and valve removed or cylinder
punctured):
 List on General Cargo Manifest as scrap metal
If returning cylinder or tank to vendor for refill:
 Complete entry as “nitrogen” in Hazardous Materials Section [Section
I] of the Apache Shipping Manifest, prior to transportation.
 Maintain a copy of manifest offshore and at shore base facilities while
shipping papers are active. Send original manifest with shipment.
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Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions: NITROGEN (Compressed)
1.
Call or FAX Dock/Base to schedule shipment.
a.
Contact owner to schedule pick-up of material.
2.
Package Nitrogen as follows:
a.
Ship Nitrogen Bottles in the bottle rack intended.
b.
Do not ship in any cylinder other than the original Specification 3, 3A, 3AA, 3B,
3C, 3D, 3E, 4, 4A, 4B, 4BA, 4BW, 4C, 25, 26, 33, or 38, 3AX, 3AAX, 3T, 39, 3AL
Cylinder.
c.
Secure cylinder valve cap when applicable.
3.
Mark Package:
a.
Mark container “Nitrogen, Compressed, 2.2, UN1066”
b.
Stencil container-“Apache” and the generator’s location (i.e. Eugene Island 158)
4.
Label Package:
a.
"Non Flammable Gas" label
5.
Prepare shipping papers:
a.
Complete entry in Hazardous Materials Section [Section I] of the Apache
Shipping Manifest (See example).
6.
Placard Vehicle/Vessel:
a.
For cargoes of more than 1000 pounds: "Non Flammable Gas" Placard. The
number "2" should appear in the lower corner.
b.
For cargoes less than 1000 pounds: No Placard required on transport vehicle.
c.
See attached placard
7.
Load cargo in accordance with the following shipping limitations:
AIR
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
Passenger Aircraft
165 pounds (75 kg)
Cargo Aircraft
330 pounds (150 kg)
WATER
8.
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
Cargo and Passenger
vessels
May be stowed either on deck or under deck
Other Requirements
None
Include MSDS with shipment
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Waste Management Procedures
Version 2, October 2011
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Description: NITROGEN, (Refrigerated Liquid - Cryogenic Liquid)
1.
Call or Fax Dock/Base to schedule shipment.
a.
Contact owner to schedule pick up of material.
2.
Package Nitrogen as follows:
a. Ship Nitrogen Bottles in the bottle rack intended
b. Do not ship in any cylinder other than the original Specification DOT-4L cylinder
when carried in the vertical position.
c. Secure cylinder valve cap when applicable
d. Cargo Tanks
The regulations governing transportation of cryogenic liquid by cargo tank are
very technical. They are found in 49 CFR 173.318 and include:
(1)
general requirements
(2)
pressure relief systems and pressure control valves
(3)
weight of loading requirements
(4)
outage
(5)
temperature
(6)
additional requirements for specification MC-338 cargo tanks
(7)
one way travel time marking
The vendor of the cryogenic liquid will assist in determining if these requirements
have been met.
3.
Mark Package:
a.
Mark container, “Nitrogen, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid), 2.2, UN1977”
b.
Stencil Container-“Apache” and the generator’s location (i.e. Eugene Island 158)
4.
Label Package
a.
“Non Flammable Gas” label
b.
For packages having a volume over 64 cubic feet (478 gallons) and for portable
tanks of less than 1000 gallons: place labels on at least two ends (other than the
bottom) or two sides.
5.
Prepare shipping papers:
a.
Complete entry in Hazardous Materials Section [Section I] of the Apache
Shipping Manifest (See example).
Continued on next page
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Waste Management Procedures
Description: NITROGEN, (Refrigerated Liquid - Cryogenic Liquid)
(continued)
6.
Placard Vehicle/Vessel:
a.
For cargoes of more than 1000 pounds: "Non Flammable Gas" Placard with
UN number 1977. The number "2.2" should appear in the lower corner.
b.
For cargoes less than 1000 pounds: No Placard required on transport vehicle
c.
Cargo or portable tanks shall be placarded as above on opposing sides if
capacity is between 119 and 999 gallons and on all four sides if 1000 gallons or
more.
d.
See attached placard
7.
Load cargo in accordance with the following shipping limitations:
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
AIR
Passenger Aircraft
110 pounds (50 kg)
Cargo Aircraft
1100 pounds (500 kg)
WATER
8.
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
Cargo and up to 25
passengers
Must be stowed on the weather deck only
Passengers
Prohibited when vessels under 246 feet length overall exceed 25
passengers on board
Other Requirements
None
Include MSDS with shipment
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