Tankers that are in service carrying "sour crudes" are faced with additional problems for their safe operation. One such problem is called "polyphoric oxidation" what does this result in?

Correct Answer: Option A — particles of rust in the tanks reaching a high temperature during "gas free" operations.

Pyrophoric oxidation occurs when iron sulfides in tanks containing sour crude react exothermically with oxygen during gas-freeing operations, generating extreme heat capable of igniting remaining hydrocarbon gas mixtures.