Inert gas generator
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Inert gas generator (IGG) refers to machinery on board marine product tankers. Inert gas generators consist distinctively of a gas producer and a scrubbing system.
Atmospheric air is burned using diesel in a combustion chamber and the exhaust collected, the resulting exhaust contains less than 5% oxygen, thereby creating "inert gas". The hot, dirty gas is then passed through a scrubbing tower which cleans and cools it using seawater. This gas is then delivered to cargo tanks to prevent explosion of flammable cargo.
This generator is sometimes confused with flue gas systems, which draw inert gas from the boiler systems of the ship. Flue gas systems do not have a burner but only "clean" and measure the air before delivering it to the cargo hold.