Inerting

Inertization/Inerting/Inert Gas Blanketing/Inert Gas Overlay

Definition:

Inerting is the purging, superimposing or displacing oxygen or reactive gases from containers, tanks, equipment or pipes with an inert gas — typically nitrogen (N₂), sometimes also carbon dioxide (CO₂) or argon (Ar).
By creating a low-oxygen atmosphere in a controlled manner, explosions, deflagration, chemical reactions and oxidation processes are prevented.
Inertization is used in numerous industries, including chemical and petrochemical plants, refineries, pharmaceutical production plants, and the food and metal industries.

Types of inertization
Common procedures include:

• ‍Rinse (purge): Flushing out the system with inert gas‍
• Overlay/blanketing: Inert gas as a protective layer over liquids or products‍
• Displacement/pressurizing: Pressurization with inert gas to completely displace oxygen

Safety and process relevance
In addition to explosion protection, inertization also performs tasks such as oxidation protection, moisture control, product preservation, quality assurance and safe maintenance and downtime work.

_{Sources/further links:
VDI Guideline 2263 (plants at risk of dust explosion): Detalji | VDI}

_{EU ATEX Explosion Protection Directive: Directive - 2014/34 - EN - ATEX directive - EUR-Lex
Chemical Safety Board — Inerting Safety Practices: U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board | CSB}

Inerting challenges:

Unclear inertization obligations & missing process information for drivers/operators
In the case of substances with a risk of explosion or oxidation, drivers and external service providers must know whether tanks or pipes are inertized or whether there is an inert gas pressure. Missing information can lead to security risks.
_{Sources/further links:
CEFIC/ECTA — Guidelines for Safe Loading & Unloading: Best Practice Guidelines for Safe (Un) Loading Road Freight Vehicles Covering Technical, Behavioural, and Organizational Aspects | Cefic Library}

Risk of lack of oxygen in work areas
Inertized areas can lead to life-threatening oxygen deficiency if people enter unprotected or leaks occur.
_{Sources/further links:
DGUV Information — Lack of oxygen & inert gases: DGUV publications}

Loady's solution:

Transparent specification of inertization requirements per product & location
Loady clearly shows whether tanks, pipes or loading points are inertized and which safety measures apply (e.g. nitrogen atmosphere, pressure warnings, PPE requirements).

Multilingual safety and behavior advice for drivers
Loady provides drivers with specific instructions, such as “Attention: inert gas environment”, “Vent the tank before opening” or “Enter only after approval.”
This reduces operating errors at loading and unloading points and increases operational safety.