http://articles.maritimepropulsion.com/article/Marine-Diesel-Engine-Fuel-Testing-e28093-A-Stitch-in-Time-1881.aspx
Oil fuel and lube oil testing proves its worth (let the buyer beware) advises chemical analysis specialist companies Lintec and Intertek, telling a few days ago of their joining hands to provide a service to help guard ship operators world-wide against the perils of using off-specification oils. A case study illustrates their point.
The entire fleet of a Hamburg-based shipowner was placed on Lintec’s chemical screening programme. On one of the ships, on long-term charter, a sample fuel analysis revealed that bunker fuel containing DCPD (Dicyclopentadiene) and Styrene had been taken on board; the charterer being duly informed of the inherent risks to the ship’s engine that might arise from this bunker stem. Soon, operational difficulties, including blocked oil filters, were reported to the extent that the fuel had to be pumped out and replaced at the next port of call. Further lab analysis was done to determine the exact levels of contamination, with results that persuaded the charterer to accept financial liability for all costs incurred.
Oil Fuel Bunker Barge: Photo credit Wikipedia CCL DKrieger
Fuel Oil Contamination – a Global Problem!
Oil fuel contamination is not limited to off-the-map bunkering ports. Another chemical analysis specialist in the field, US-based Guardian Marine Chemical has stated that samples of Low Sulphur Fuel Oil with DCPD levels in the range 200 ppm to 600 ppm, and Styrene from 500 ppm to 2,200 ppm were found at bunker stations on the Gulf coast of the US. At these levels, and lower, vessels have reportedly suffered serious engine damage, not only blocked filters, but also at greater cost, blocked purifiers, broken piston rings and seized fuel pumps.
Interestingly, Guardian Marine points out that high levels of these contaminants had exclusively been found in LSFO samples, whereas strangely enough, heavy fuel oil (high sulphur content) was free of DCPD and Styrene in that particular area. They thought a low sulphur cutter stock containing refinery waste might have been used to blend the fuel down to a MARPOL-compliant <1.5% Sulphur content.
In news of their liaison Lintec/Intertek say that an internet-based laboratory management system, a feature of their ‘ShipCare Services Programme’, offers an efficient and speedy process for testing bunker fuel in order to circumvent damage to ships’ engines, costly down-time and repairs, as well as to help avoid costly exhaust-gas emission related infringements. Reports of fuel analysis come with full engineering comments, and helpfully, in the event of off-specification fuel, recommendations by Intertek’s industry experts.
Oil fuel and lube oil testing proves its worth (let the buyer beware) advises chemical analysis specialist companies Lintec and Intertek, telling a few days ago of their joining hands to provide a service to help guard ship operators world-wide against the perils of using off-specification oils. A case study illustrates their point.
The entire fleet of a Hamburg-based shipowner was placed on Lintec’s chemical screening programme. On one of the ships, on long-term charter, a sample fuel analysis revealed that bunker fuel containing DCPD (Dicyclopentadiene) and Styrene had been taken on board; the charterer being duly informed of the inherent risks to the ship’s engine that might arise from this bunker stem. Soon, operational difficulties, including blocked oil filters, were reported to the extent that the fuel had to be pumped out and replaced at the next port of call. Further lab analysis was done to determine the exact levels of contamination, with results that persuaded the charterer to accept financial liability for all costs incurred.
Oil Fuel Bunker Barge: Photo credit Wikipedia CCL DKrieger
Fuel Oil Contamination – a Global Problem!
Oil fuel contamination is not limited to off-the-map bunkering ports. Another chemical analysis specialist in the field, US-based Guardian Marine Chemical has stated that samples of Low Sulphur Fuel Oil with DCPD levels in the range 200 ppm to 600 ppm, and Styrene from 500 ppm to 2,200 ppm were found at bunker stations on the Gulf coast of the US. At these levels, and lower, vessels have reportedly suffered serious engine damage, not only blocked filters, but also at greater cost, blocked purifiers, broken piston rings and seized fuel pumps.
Interestingly, Guardian Marine points out that high levels of these contaminants had exclusively been found in LSFO samples, whereas strangely enough, heavy fuel oil (high sulphur content) was free of DCPD and Styrene in that particular area. They thought a low sulphur cutter stock containing refinery waste might have been used to blend the fuel down to a MARPOL-compliant <1.5% Sulphur content.
In news of their liaison Lintec/Intertek say that an internet-based laboratory management system, a feature of their ‘ShipCare Services Programme’, offers an efficient and speedy process for testing bunker fuel in order to circumvent damage to ships’ engines, costly down-time and repairs, as well as to help avoid costly exhaust-gas emission related infringements. Reports of fuel analysis come with full engineering comments, and helpfully, in the event of off-specification fuel, recommendations by Intertek’s industry experts.
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