No. 11 "Even 'On-Spec' fuel might occur serious technical problem and engine damages"

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OMC e-mail newsletter No. 11

"Even 'On-Spec' fuel might occur serious technical problem and engine damages"

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Hello! This is the OMC Marine Technical Department.

We would like to briefly introduce an example of how to deal with low-quality fuel oil that adversely affects equipment even though it complies with ISO 8217, which is a fuel oil quality standard. We hope you find it helpful.

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Fuel oil used on ships must have a sulfur content (% m / m) below the standard value set by the MARPOL and ports in each country*. However, regarding fuel oil properties, it is agreed with charterer to comply with the standard represented by ISO 8217, and it is a general principle to use fuel oil that does not adversely affect the use of the engine and auxiliary equipment.

Unfortunately, fuel oil which is out of standard is supplied, and in order to prevent equipment damage in advance due to low-quality fuel oil, general analysis is an effective means in order to grasp the properties of the fuel oil whether it is not low quality. However, even if the fuel oil properties specified by ISO 8217 are satisfied by general analysis, there are many reports of cases that adversely affected the engine and auxiliary equipment.

It is fresh in our memory that many machinery troubles caused by Singapore bunker from February to March 2022 were reported (Link) , the fuel oil properties caused by the troubles are not standardized by ISO 8217 and are not included in oil refining normally.

* Excluding ships equipped with SOx scrubber

In addition to the general analysis to confirm conformity with the ISO8217 standard, industry groups have introduced that conducting the following special analysis is a further preventive measure.

• Asphaltene

→ Affects flammability

• FCA (Fuel Combustion Analysis)

→ Ignition index

• GC-MS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry)

→ Measurement of foreign substances such as organic compounds and waste chemicals

• FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer)

→ Principal component analysis of organic compounds

• TAN (total acid value)

→ Evaluation of the degree of deterioration of oil

• Compatibility

→ Check for sludge formation when mixing fuel oil

However, these analyzes are costly and time-consuming, and there are many cases in which equipment trouble without waiting for the analysis results.

The most effective means of responding on board is to properly perform pretreatment when starting to use the fuel oil. And It is important to closely monitor the equipment status at the start of use the fuel oil and stop using the fuel oil immediately when any signs of abnormality are seen.

Below are some typical examples of contamination with substances that should not have been specified by ISO8217. When any of these events are discovered, please be careful when handling the fuel oil.

• Styrene, indene, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)

→ Excessive sludge generation, fuel injection pump seizure

• Phenol

→ The fuel becomes acidic and metal parts are corroded and seized.

• Organic chlorine compounds (1,2-dichloroethane, tetrachlorethylene etc)

→ Inhibits lubricity and seizure of fuel injection pumps and fuel oil injectors.

• 4-Kumilphenol

→ Filter blockage due to excessive sludge generation, purifier performance failure

* Even if these substances are detected, similar trouble may not always occur.

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If you would like to contact us regarding anything about this newsletter, please contact below address. We are well experienced Captains and Engineers and will be pleased to assist you. 

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Orient Marine Co., LTD.

MARINE TECHNICAL DEPT.

Tel: [phone] 

e-mail: [e-mail] 

URL：https://www.toyosenpaku.com/business/marine-technical-consultancy/ 

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