There is a key raw material for the pharmaceutical, spice, and dye industries, guided by its rich fragrance, which serves as a basic chemical raw material for preparing spices. Due to its pleasant aromatic odor, as well as its flammable and volatile characteristics, once a dangerous situation such as a leak occurs during maritime transport, it is easily overlooked. If not detected in time, it may lead to a catastrophe. Today, the editor will take everyone behind the scenes of the “fragrance journey” to uncover the mystery of the risks of anisole maritime transport.
I. Cargo Name and Characteristics
Anisole, also known as methoxybenzene, methyl phenyl ether, is an organic compound, usually a colorless liquid with a pleasant aromatic odor. It is mainly used in the three major fields of spices, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, and can also be used as a laboratory analytical reagent. It is widely used in the preparation of spices, especially gardenia, lilac, and sunflower-type flavors; also used as an intermediate in chemical production, such as ultraviolet stabilizers for ethylene polymers and raw materials for intestinal insecticides; and also used as an antioxidant for beer.
Anisole is a colorless to yellow liquid with a flash point of 41°C, an explosive limit of 0.3% to 6.3%, is immiscible with water, and is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. In the International Maritime Organization’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), it is classified as a Class 3 flammable liquid, UN2222.
Although the flash point of anisole is relatively high, the lower limit of its explosive limit is extremely low. A very small amount of leaked substance (volatiles) mixed with air can easily cause an explosion if exposed to an open flame, with consequences that are difficult to estimate.
II. Safe Transport Conditions
(A) Packaging Requirements.
Anisole is suitable for packing group III. If general packaging is used, it should meet the requirements of packing instruction P001. If large packaging is used, it should meet the requirements of instruction LP01. If intermediate bulk containers are used, they should meet the requirements of packing instruction IBC03, and metal (31A, 31B, and 31N), rigid plastic (31H1 and 31H2), and composite packaging (31HZ1 and 31HA2, 31HB2, 31HN2, 31HD2, and 31HH2) may be used.
If portable tanks and bulk containers are used, they should meet the requirements of tank instruction T2, with a minimum test pressure of 1.5 bar. In addition, the requirements of special provision TP1 should be met, i.e., the calculated filling degree should not be exceeded:
If transported under limited quantities or excepted quantities, the limited quantity is 5L, and the excepted quantity is E1 (maximum net quantity per inner packaging 30mL, maximum net quantity per outer packaging 1000mL).
(B) Stowage and Segregation Requirements.
The stowage category is A, meaning the cargo can be stowed on deck or under deck when transported by cargo ship.
Segregation should meet the relevant requirements of the segregation table in the IMDG Code, i.e., separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold from Class 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 explosives; separated by a complete compartment or hold from Class 6.2; “separated from” Classes 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 7; and “away from” Class 2.2.
Segregation on container ships must also meet the relevant requirements for container ship segregation in Chapter 7 of the IMDG Code.
III. Emergency Response Requirements
According to the EmS Guide (Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods) in the IMDG Code, the emergency response procedure codes for anisole during transport are “F-E” and “S-D”, as follows:
(A) Fire Emergency Measures
1. If a package or cargo transport unit on deck catches fire, use multiple water spray hoses as much as possible, applying large amounts of water to cool the burning transport unit and nearby cargo exposed to the fire.
2. If cargo in the hold catches fire, stop ventilation and close the hatch covers, using the fixed fire-extinguishing system for the cargo space or large amounts of water spray.
(B) Spill Emergency Measures
1. For spills on deck, keep the bridge and accommodation areas upwind, wash overboard with large amounts of water, do not direct water straight onto the spill, then remove the bilge water and thoroughly clean the contaminated area.
2. For spills in the hold, keep the bridge and accommodation areas upwind, use water spray methods to disperse corrosive or toxic gases to protect the crew and accommodation areas. Do not enter the compartment, keep it clean, consult expert advice by radio before taking action. Do not enter without wearing self-contained breathing apparatus, test the atmosphere (for toxic and explosion hazards) before entering, if testing is not possible, do not enter. Shut off all possible sources of ignition in the hold, maintain good ventilation, use water spray on the effluent in the hold to prevent flammable vapors from being ignited, flush to the bilge and pump overboard.
Conclusion
Safety is no small matter, and maritime transport has regulations. The maritime transport of anisole has requirements; do not let luck take advantage of loopholes. Strictly adhering to regulations and implementing precise prevention and control are the keys to a smooth voyage!
